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 © Commando Veterans Archive. 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 1874047 Sergeant 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 Cemetery.

Follow this link to read more about Thomas Frank Durrant Recommended by the Enemy

Date: 12/01/2011

Size: 43 items (54 items total)

next last

Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant VC

No.1 Commando. Photo courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 02/01/2017

Tom Durrant No.1 Commando

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Tommy Durrant

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Tom Durrant

This photo, taken whist he was in the Royal Engineers, is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 08/01/2011

Parents of Tom Durrant VC

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

Date: 13/01/2011

Warrant Officer (WO1) John 'Jack' Durrant MM

RASC. Jack was Tom's older brother. This photo is courtesy of Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 13/01/2011

Tom's brother David Durrant

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Jess Durrant

Jess was Tom's half brother. This photo and information is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 10/01/2011

Comments: 1

Bill Durrant

Bill was Tom's half brother. This photo and information is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 10/01/2011

Tom's brothers Reg and Jack

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Tom in the front with fellow Commandos

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Tom on Ben Nevis

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

Date: 10/01/2011

1937 Tom in the Royal Engineers

Tom is in the middle rank. Photo courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul.

Date: 10/01/2011

1937 Working Party from the Royal Engineers

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Tom's Will

This certified copy from P20 of his Soldier's Service and Pay Book is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 10/11/2010

Tom's last letter to his Mother dated 25th March 1942 ( p1 )

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

Date: 10/11/2010

Tom's last letter to his Mother dated 25th March 1942 ( p2 )

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

Date: 10/11/2010

Missing Notification Telegram dated 1st April 1942

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

Date: 13/01/2011

Letter (page 1) from Mrs Swayne wife of Lieut. Ronnie Swayne MC dated 7th July 1942

This was the first notification that Tom's mother recieved of his death. This copy is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 13/01/2011

Letter (page 2) from Mrs Swayne wife of Lieut. Ronnie Swayne MC

This letter was the first notification that Tom's mother recieved of his death. This copy is courtesy of Tom's sister Ivy, his niece Pat, and his brother Jack's grandchildren Claire and Paul

Date: 14/11/2010

Royal Engineers letter to family dated 16th July 42

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

Date: 10/11/2010

British Red Cross letter dated 21st July 1942

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

Date: 14/11/2010

Reverse of letter from Lieut. Ronnie Swayne dated 15th October 1942

This copy is 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. Ronnie Swayne to Mrs Durrant from his POW camp dated 15 October 1942

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

Date: 13/01/2011

British Red Cross letter dated 4th December 1942

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

Date: 14/11/2010

Official confirmation of Tom's death dated 10th December 1942

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

Date: 10/11/2010

Letter from HM King George V1

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

Date: 10/01/2011

Burial Notice dated 21st July 1945

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

Date: 13/01/2011

Tommy's Dog Tags

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

Date: 14/11/2010

War Office letter regarding the Victoria Cross

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 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

next last

1 Commando

Random Image

10IA Commando-.2 Dutch Troop Beret and cap badge (2)

Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant VC