See attached.

Nomination for the 2021National Heroes Day Awards: Celebrating our Seafaring Heritage Eugene 

Kingsley Thompson Snr (deceased) -  Chief Engineer "Cimboco"

I am the 4th  son and last child of my parents Eugene Kingsley & Myrtle Elaine Thompson both 

deceased. My father was called Kingsley and he was the son of Capt Eugene Thomp son.

He sailed as Chief Engineer with his father Capt Eugene on the  "Cimboco" for many years bringing 

supplies and passengers between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brae and Jamaica. This was the only link to 

the outside world and was vital in our existence in the late 1930s and 1940s: this became even 

more important during the World War II years.

The following story is forever etched in my memory and was first told to me by my mother and other 

family members and neighbours.

While I do not know the exact year the incident occurred it was during the active War years. 

Someone on shore, possibly someone from the lookout tower in George Town, saw the explosion of a 

ship far out at sea and raised the alarm.  Without a second thought for their safety, my grandfather 

and father together with others quickly set sail to the "Cimboco" and went towards the area and 

found a ship that was sinking as the result of damage sustained from fire-power and several 

survivors were swimming in the ocean. They were able to rescue them and bring them back to shore.

Many years later it was confirmed that the ship had been torpedoed by a German submarine as an 

act of war and that the sub was still in the area when the "Cimboco" and her crew unknowingly came 

to her rescue.

That day my father and all the crew of the "Cimboco"  put their own lives at risk to save their 

fellow seamen who would have perished in the burning waters around their sinking ship.  My father 

and his ship-mates truly exemplified what it was to be "iron men of wooden ships"  on that horrible 

day.

Rupert Kelvin "Kelly" Thompson 27 October 2020

See attached.

Nomination for the 2021National Heroes Day Awards: Celebrating our Seafaring Heritage Eugene 

Kingsley Thompson Snr (deceased) -  Chief Engineer "Cimboco"

I am the 4th  son and last child of my parents Eugene Kingsley & Myrtle Elaine Thompson both 

deceased. My father was called Kingsley and he was the son of Capt Eugene Thomp son.

He sailed as Chief Engineer with his father Capt Eugene on the  "Cimboco" for many years bringing 

supplies and passengers between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brae and Jamaica. This was the only link to 

the outside world and was vital in our existence in the late 1930s and 1940s: this became even 

more important during the World War II years.

The following story is forever etched in my memory and was first told to me by my mother and other 

family members and neighbours.

While I do not know the exact year the incident occurred it was during the active War years. 

Someone on shore, possibly someone from the lookout tower in George Town, saw the explosion of a 

ship far out at sea and raised the alarm.  Without a second thought for their safety, my grandfather 

and father together with others quickly set sail to the "Cimboco" and went towards the area and 

found a ship that was sinking as the result of damage sustained from fire-power and several 

survivors were swimming in the ocean. They were able to rescue them and bring them back to shore.

Many years later it was confirmed that the ship had been torpedoed by a German submarine as an 

act of war and that the sub was still in the area when the "Cimboco" and her crew unknowingly came 

to her rescue.

That day my father and all the crew of the "Cimboco"  put their own lives at risk to save their 

fellow seamen who would have perished in the burning waters around their sinking ship.  My father 

and his ship-mates truly exemplified what it was to be "iron men of wooden ships"  on that horrible 

day.

Rupert Kelvin "Kelly" Thompson 27 October 2020