Thomas Currie Derrick
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Thomas Currie Derrick VC, DCM (20 March 1914- 23 May 1945) was an Australian 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.
He was 29 years old, and a sergeant in the 2/48th Battalion (S.A.), Australian Military Forces during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 24 November 1943 in New Guinea, South-west Pacific, Sergeant Derrick's platoon was ordered to take a slope by storm and then attack a point 150 yards from the township of Sattelberg. After two hours of fruitless attempts under intense fire from the enemy posts, the company was ordered to retire, but Sergeant Derrick, obtaining permission to make one last attempt, advanced alone and with grenades so demoralized the enemy that they fled leaving all their weapons. He then went on to deal with the remaining posts in the area, and was so successful that the battalion was able to capture Sattelberg the following day.
He later achieved the rank of lieutenant, but was killed in action in Tarakan, Borneo, on 23 May 1945.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial.
[edit] External links
- DERRICK T.C.
- Sergeant T.C. Derrick (photo, brief details)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.
