[2] After service as a signalman in the Australian Army during World War II,[3] he graduated from the University of Melbourne with degrees in arts (honours) and education.

Of all the federal and state ministers in Australian history, only the South Australian Sir Thomas Playford IV, who served in cabinet without interruption from 1938 to 1965, and Queensland's Joh Bjelke-Petersen, in cabinet without interruption from 1963 to 1987, held ministerial office continuously for longer than Thompson.

Thompson, as education minister, went to the prearranged site in Woodend and was ready to deliver the ransom personally, but the teacher and children had escaped from the van in which they were locked before that was necessary.

The Liberals had been in power for 27 years and the new Labor leader, John Cain, was mounting a strong challenge to a government that was increasingly seen as tired and complacent.

Thompson received a Bronze Medal for Bravery from the Royal Humane Society for his actions in the Farraday kidnappings.

[7] Throughout life, Thompson was an ardent fan of the Richmond Football Club, and he frequently travelled to Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch his beloved Tigers play.

[8] Thompson had a long association with the Melbourne Cricket Ground and was a member of the MCG trust for 32 years from 1967 to 1999, taking on the role of chairman between 1987 and 1998.

At the funeral, among other kind words, former Prime Minister John Howard said, "I can honestly say I never heard anyone say a nasty thing about Lindsay Thompson, and I can tell you that has to be a first in Australian politics.