Thomas Frank Durrant
Sergeant, Royal Engineers and No. 1 Commando
- Register No.
- 364 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- Royal Engineers and No. 1 Commando (register: Corps of Royal Engineers) all Corps of Royal Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 27 March 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 19th June, 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 17th October 1918 at Green Street Green, Farnborough,
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- at Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery, France
Digest of citation
On 27th March 1942 at St Nazaire, France, Sergeant Durrant was in charge of a Lewis gun on HM Motor Launch 306 which came under heavy fire during the raid. Although he had no protection and was wounded in several places he continued firing until the launch was boarded and those who were still alive were taken prisoner. He died of his wounds the next day
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DURRANT, Thomas Frank. (reg No. 364).
Sergeant. Royal Engineers and No. 1 Commando.
London Gazetted on 19th June, 1945.
Born on 17th October 1918 at Green Street Green, Farnborough, Kent.
Died born 29th March, 1942 at St Nazaire, France. (Died of wounds).
Memorial on grave at Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery, France.
Digest of Citation reads: On 27th March 1942 at St Nazaire, France, Sergeant Durrant was in charge of a Lewis gun on HM Motor Launch 306 which came under heavy fire during the raid. Although he had no protection and was wounded in several places he continued firing until the launch was boarded and those who were still alive were taken prisoner. He died of his wounds the next day
Kent.
Died born 29th March, 1942 at St Nazaire, France. (Died of wounds).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Escoublac-la-Baule War Cemetery, France
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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