Thompson was educated at Aldenham School[1] and Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
After National Service in the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, he studied for ordination at Cuddesdon College.
He was made a deacon on Trinity Sunday 1954 (13 June)[2] and ordained a priest the next Trinity Sunday (5 June 1955) — both times by Spencer Leeson, Bishop of Peterborough, at Peterborough Cathedral.
He was consecrated to the episcopate by Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, at Westminster Abbey[6] on 24 January 1974.
[9] In retirement he continues to serve the church as an honorary assistant bishop within the Diocese of Carlisle.