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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Derrick, Thomas Currie |
| Date of birth: | March 20th, 1914 (Berri, Murray River, Australia)
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| Date of death: |
May 23rd, 1945 (Tarakan, Borneo)
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| Nationality: |
Australian |
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VICTORIA CROSS (VC)
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Rank:
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Sergeant
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Unit:
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2/48th. Battalion, Australian Military Forces
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Awarded on:
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May 7th, 1947
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Action:
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On 24 November 1943 in New Guinea Sergeant Derrick's platoon was given the task, by means of a storm attack, to conquer a slope and thereby the belonging village of Sattelberg. After two hours of abortive attacks and lying under violent fire, Derrick's platoon had to withdraw. However Sergeant Derrick got authorization to venture a last attempt. During this attack he knew, with throwing hand grenades, to demoralize the enemy. By this attack most of the enemies beat on the flight, where they left behind all their weapons. Then he knew by means of negotiate to capitulate the rest of the enemy force, where upon the village the next day could be taken.
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Details:
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Sergeant Derrick’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia.
Later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
Killed during an action on Borneo on May 23, 1945.
Thomas Currie Derrick is buried at the Labuan War Cemetery, Sabah, Malaysia.
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