Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant VC

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42 Commando landing at Port Said 1956.

Date: 15/10/2011 Views: 471 Owner: Peter Rogers

Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant VC

Photos, documents and information on Tom and a few other members of his family courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul. All photos subject of © 2010 Commando Veterans Association. Contact the CVA for further details

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. Sergeant 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, Sergeant Durrant fired cooly 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.

In Memory of Sergeant 1874047 THOMAS FRANK DURRANT VC
Royal Engineers and No. 1, Commando
who died age 23 on 28 March 1942
Remembered with honour at ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE WAR CEMETERY

Date: 12/01/2011

Size: 42 items (53 items total)

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Letter from Major General Laycock CB DSO

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 13/01/2011

Telegram from Lt. Col. Newman VC

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 10/11/2010

Letter from Ronnie Swayne MC

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 13/01/2011

Letter from Lieut Devine

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 14/11/2010

Cutting with the Victoria Cross citation from the War Office

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 14/11/2010

Poem

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 14/11/2010

Memorial ceremony at Tommy's old school

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 13/01/2011

A road named in his honour

This copy courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 13/01/2011

Tom's sister Ivy at the Royal Engineers Victoria Cross exhibition 2010

Photo courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 01/01/2006

Operation Chariot Memorial at Falmouth

This photo courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 13/01/2011

Recommended by the Enemy - A draft copy for the Victoria Cross Society Journal

11 pages written about Tom by John Mewett which was later edited and printed in the Victoria Cross Society Journal

Date: 13/01/2011

Size: 11 items

Sergeant Thomas Durrant VC, Royal Engineers and No.1 Commando.

Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery. Kia St Nazaire. Open for more details. Photo courtesy Bernard Petitjean

Date: 14/07/2007

Keywords: thomas durrant, victoria cross, 1 commando, ww2, st nazaire

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