Thomas John Thompson was born in "Brackag" County, Armagh, Northern Ireland about 1833 or 36. His parents were John Thompson, a weaver, and Ann Flemming.

    Thomas first arrived in Australia on the "Great Victoria".  This was a Screw Steam ship masted by Richard Richards which sailed from Plymouth on 12th October 1865 and arrived at Moreton Bay on 1st January 1866. There is no passenger list for this ship but Thomas is listed under the Land Order Index as being a passenger on this ship.

    Somewhere between 1866 and 1883 Thomas returned to Ireland where he married for the second time, he is listed as a widow on the certificate for this marriage. Although we can find no record of his first marriage, family legend states that he met and married a woman from the Warrick area of Queensland and when she died he returned to Ireland.

    Thomas married Annie Laurinson on 3rd August 1883 at "Mullavilly" County, Armagh, Northern Ireland. Thomas and Annie sailed for Australia on the "Duke of Buccleuch" a 2000 toner pioleted by Captain West. They left Plymouth on 12th September 1883 and arrived in Cooktown on 6th November 1883. Thomas and Annie disembarked in Brisbane.

    ASSISTED PASSENGERS:

    Granted by the Govenment of the day to particular categories required in Queensland. To be eligible, must be unable to pay full passage and not previously resided inAustralian colonies and must intend to reside permanently in Queensland.

    REMITTANCE PASSENGERS:

    Any naturalized or natural born person residing in Queensland  desiring to provide passage to the Colony for a relative in Europe, could obtain a passage warrant from the Government on payment of a required amount. On presentation of the warrant, the Government representative in Europe would arrange for the passage.

    According to the shipping records of the "Duke of Buccleuch" Annie was an Assisted Passenger and Thomas was a Remittance Passenger. This furthur shows that Thomas must have been to Australia previously for, to have been a Remittance Passenger, he must have been a naturalized resident of Australia.

    Thomas died on 29th September 1896 from Broncial Pneumonia. He is burried at the Goondiwindi Cemetery.