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WWII uncovered: Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant Posthumously Honored with the Victoria Cross for St Nazaire Raid.

 🇬🇧WWII uncovered: Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant Posthumously Honored with the Victoria Cross for St Nazaire Raid.



"In February 1937 Thomas Durrant, age 18, enlisted with the Royal Engineers. After basic training Tommy specialised in explosives and demolition at Shorncliffe Camp, Kent. In September of 1939 Durrant volunteered for the Special Service Independent Companies and went with No 2 Special Independent Company on the excursion to Norway in the spring of 1940. It was during this time in Norway that he was promoted to Sergeant."


"On the return from Norway, the Companies were reformed into Commando units, and Tommy Durrant found himself in No 1 Commando under Lieutenant Colonel William Glendinning but, when the raid on St Nazaire was mooted, he became attached to Lieutenant Colonel Newman's No 2 Commando. With the other volunteers he underwent intensive training in Scotland and elsewhere before eventually boarding Motor Launch 306, bound for France in March 1942." (The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Crosses)


⭐ Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant's Victoria Cross Citation reads as follows.


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 to 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 - The London Gazette No. 37134 15 June 1945. 


"The Captain of the destroyer, Kapitanleutnant Paul was so impressed by the outstanding bravery of Durrant that he personally spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Newman VC, the Officer commanding No 2 Commando, who had been taken prisoner, and told him that Durrant should be recommended for the highest possible award in recognition of the way he had conducted himself during the raid. Due to the POW situation, the recommendation was not made (or processed) until after the war, and announcement of a posthumous VC to Durrant was made on 19th June 1945, at the same time as the award to Newman." (The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Crosses)


On 29 October 1946 Durrant's Victoria Cross was presented to his mother at an investiture at Buckingham Palace by King George VI. Durrant's Victoria Cross is now on display at the Royal Engineers Museum Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, Kent, England.


Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant lies in rest at La Baule-Escoublac Cemetery in France. He was 23 years old at the time of his passing.


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