Thomas Frank Durrant

Thomas Frank Durrant VC (17 October 1918- 28 March 1942) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Details

Durrant was 23 years old, and a sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army, attached to No. 1 Commando during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 27 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. Twice Kapitänleutnant Paul called for his surrender and twice Durrant answered with a long burst from the gun. Although he had no protection and was wounded 16 times, 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. Durrant is one of very few men to have received their Victoria Cross on the recommendation of an enemy officer. Kapitänleutnant F.K Paul, commander of the German destroyer "Jaguar", was the one who singled out Durrant for his bravery.

The Medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum "(Chatham, England)".

References

*British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)

External links

* [http://www.remuseum.org.uk/rem_his_vc.htm#1d Royal Engineers Museum] Sappers VCs
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20010202090200/http://www.ships.co.uk/royalnavy/destroy/ww2/class/stnazair.htm HMS Campbeltown and the Raid on St. Nazaire] "(detailed description of the action)"
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ggfrctod.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(France)"