 Ramba uchinyora ndima iyi - Pashure pokupedza kudzidza paRoyal Military Academy, Woolwich, muna 1894, Thomson akagadzwa muRoyal Engineers. Akatanga kushumira kuMauritius ndokuzoita basa munguva yeHondo yeChipiri yeBoer 18991902 panguva yaaive achitungamira chikamu chekambani yemunda uye achitaurwa nezvayo mumatare. Akasanganawo nendege kokutanga paakaendeswa kunobatsira neRE Balloon Section kunze kweKimberley. Pashure pehondo akava murayiridzi paChikoro cheMilitary Engineering paChatham uye ipapo muSierra Leone. Akakwidziridzwa kuva kaputeni uye mukuru mukuru muna 1904 uye muna 1909 akabatana neArmy Staff College muCamberley. Muna 1911 akaenda kuHofisi yeHondo, uye muna 1912 Thomson akagadzwa kuva mukuru wemauto muuto reSerbia munguva yeHondo Yenyika I.uye Hondo yechipiri yeBalkan, pashure pacho akadzokera kuHofisi yeHondo muna 1913. 