Thomas Frank Durrant

Fought on with his Lewis gun despite repeated enemy gunfire.

Thomas Frank Durrant was born on 17 October 1918 and grew up at Green Street Green, near Farnborough in Kent. His father, also Thomas, was a carpenter, and his mother was Harriet, formerly Lee. He attended the local school, became a Scout patrol leader and enjoyed swimming. Before joining the Army, he worked as a butcher's boy and a builder's labourer.

He enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 1 February 1937, aged eighteen. After recruit training he specialised in explosives and demolition, serving at Shorncliffe in Kent. By 1940 he was with 555 (Welsh) Field Company, part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, and had gained experience supervising recruits in Northern Ireland. He volunteered for the independent companies formed for special operations and served with No. 2 Independent Company in the Norwegian campaign. His steadiness when replacing a wounded sergeant brought promotion in the field.

Following the withdrawal from Norway and the reorganisation of the independent companies, Durrant joined No. 1 Commando. He trained in Scotland and was serving as a sergeant in its demolition element. In early 1942 his troop, led by Lieutenant Ronald Swayne, joined the preparations with No. 2 Commando for Operation Chariot, the attack on the docks at St Nazaire. The operation aimed to deny German capital ships the use of the great dry dock on France's Atlantic coast.

During the raid on 28 March 1942, he served aboard Motor Launch 306. Taken prisoner with fatal wounds after its capture, he died in German custody at St Nazaire, aged twenty-three. His posthumous Victoria Cross was announced on 19 June 1945.

OFFICIAL VICTORIA CROSS CITATION

Verbatim award text from The London Gazette, 19 June 1945, pages 3171–3172.

War Office, 19th June, 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the VICTORIA CROSS to: No. 1874047 Sergeant Thomas Frank DURRANT, Corps of Royal Engineers (attached Commandos) (Green Street Green, Farnborough, Kent).

For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in H.M. Motor Launch 306 in the St. Nazaire raid on the 28th 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 on shore. 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 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.