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Serjeant THOMAS FRANK DURRANT

Service Number: 1874047
Regiment & Unit/Ship

Royal Engineers

Date of Death

Died 28 March 1942

Age 23 years old

Buried or commemorated at

ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE WAR CEMETERY

1. D. 11.

France

Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
  • Secondary Unit, Regiment and No. 1 Commando
  • Country of Service United Kingdom
  • Awards Victoria Cross
  • Additional Citation note

    The following details are taken from the London Gazette of 15th June, 1945 : On 28th March 1942 H.M. Motor Launch 306 was heavily attacked while proceeding up the river Loire in the raid on St Nazaire. Serjeant Durrant in charge of a Lewis gun in a completely exposed position engaged enemy guns and searchlights on shore. He was severely wounded in the arm but refused to leave his gun. Later when the launch was attacked at close range by a German destroyer, Serjeant Durrant fired cooley and continuously at the destroyer's bridge drawing on himself the enemy fire and suffering many further wounds. When so weak that he had to support himself on the gun mounting, he went on firing until his gun was silenced and the enemy boarded the motor lauch and took prisoner those still alive. This very gallant and skilful N.C.O. died later of his wounds.

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Buried or commemorated at