A.B. Thompson III unfurled the flag bearing his father’s name at a ceremony in September. The legion changing its name earlier this year to honour the man. “This was one of the most humbling experiences of my life,” said A.B. Thompson’s son. “I’m not going to say that’s going to be my legacy, but it’s one of the most important things that that I did as a president,” Pat White, Penetanguishene Legion president. A.B. Thompson Senior was born in Penetanguishene. When he was hardly more than 20 years-old he left home, crossing the Atlantic to volunteer as a pilot for the Royal Air Force shortly before the start of the Second World War. Just days after the war broke out, Thompson’s plane went down over Germany. He and the crew survived but were captured by German forces. Thompson became the first Canadian prisoner of war of the conflict. “He was involved in a significant event like the Great Escape (movie). And he was number 68 out of the out of the tunnel, out of 76, that got out. He was number 68.” The exact number of this legion branch - 68. Thompson was recaptured and spent five and a half years in German POW camps, almost every day of the war. He’s the longest held Canadian prisoner in history. “His history was amazing, but he didn’t talk about it. PTSD, which I know about now. I know he had it, and I know he suffered through it,” said his son. When he came back home, he became a crown prosecutor and Penetanguishene mayor. Now, 100 years later, the legion he returned to after the war bears his name. “Many of the branches were not able to reach this milestone. So for us to reach it in such a way (shows) that we’re we’re thriving. We have a great membership. And it’s continuing to grow. Shows you that this community supports the Legion,” said Penetanguishene legion member, Perry Rittershofer. The Legion’s name change honours the legacy of a veteran who helped build this branch and this community.
