 Complete the following phrase:  Thompson was born in Barham, Kent on 28 February 1766. His uncle, through his mother, was Commodore Edward Thompson, and it was through this relatives influence that Thomas joined the navy in June 1778, when Edward was appointed to command the sloop . He served on the Hyaena with his uncle, spending most of the time in the waters off the British Isles, before accompanying Rodneys fleet to the 