OBITUARY
Mr. V. T. Thompson
It is with very deep regret we have to record the death of Mr. V. T. Thompson of Norton Manor, who passed away on 16th March at the age of 83 after a long time of ill health.
Up to 1917, when he came to live amongst us, he had been a great sportsman as well as a great business man and to the very end exemplified the fine characteristics which in our country are associated with "sportsman", and have made it a term of honour in the land.
So long as his health permitted, he took a full share in the public and social life of the neighborhood, and his departure from us will be mourned by a wide circle both in this district and in the sphere of shipping and sport.
Mr. Thompson was educated at Highgate school, and was always a first class athlete.
He played Rugby football for Durham County in 1886 and 1887, and was asked to accompany the first England XV, which went to Australia.
After leaving school he traveled for two years, and then followed all his forbears into shipping, eventually becoming a ship owner.
He was also for many years an underwriting member of Lloyds.
Following a serious hunting accident in 1913, he came to live in Hampshire in 1917, where he started his thoroughbred stud one of which became winner of the Derby.
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