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| Page revised: 3 October, 2006 |
Sergeant Thomas Frank DURRANT VC |
| Born: | Farnborough, Kent - 17 October 1918 | 
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| Died: | St Nazaire, France - 29 March 1942 | ||
| Burial details: | Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery, France (Plot I, Row D, Grave 11) | ||
| Corps service: | Enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 1 February 1937. In 1940 he volunteered for service with the special service independent companies. He was promoted to Sergeant in the field whilst serving with No 2 Special Independent Company in Norway in the spring of 1940. On their return from Norway the special service independent companies were developed into Commando units. | ||
| He died as a result of his wounds in a German military hospital at St Nazaire, France. | |||
| VC awarded: | Won VC off St Nazaire, France on 27-28 March 1942. (Second World War 1939-45) | ||
| VC unit: | No 1 Commando. | ||
| VC presented: | VC presented by King George VI to Sergeant Durrant's mother at Buckingham Palace on 29 October 1946. | ||
| VC citation: | For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when
in charge of a Lewis gun in HM Motor Launch 306 in the St Nazaire
raid on 28 March 1942. Motor Launch 306 came under heavy fire while proceeding up the River Loire towards the port. Sergeant Durrant, in his position abaft the bridge, where he had no cover or protection, engaged enemy gun positions and searchlights ashore. During this engagement he was severely wounded in the arm but refused to leave his gun. The Motor Launch subsequently went down the river and was attacked by a German destroyer at 50-60 yards range, and often closer. In this action Sergeant Durrant continued to fire at the destroyer's bridge with the greatest of coolness and with complete disregard of the enemy's fire. The Motor Launch was illuminated by the enemy searchlight, and Sergeant Durrant drew on himself the individual attention of the enemy guns, and was again wounded in many places. Despite these further wounds he stayed in his exposed position, still firing his gun, although after a time only able to support himself by holding on to the gun mounting. After a running fight, the Commander of the German destroyer called on the Motor Launch to surrender. Sergeant Durrant's answer was a further burst of fire at the destroyer's bridge. Although now very weak, he went on firing, using drums of ammunition as fast as they could be replaced. A renewed attack by the enemy vessel eventually silenced the fire of the Motor Launch, but Sergeant Durrant refused to give up until the destroyer came alongside, grappled the Motor Launch and took prisoner those who remained alive. Sergeant Durrant's gallant fight was commended by the German officers on boarding the Motor Launch. This very gallant non-commissioned officer later died of the many wounds received in action. (London Gazette:19 June 1945) |
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| VC location: | Royal Engineers Museum | ||
| Source:
Additional material: SC Fenwick, FoREM Links to further reading:
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Royal Engineers Museum main site
