THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BASSETT Denis Morton

12518, Private, 23 Battalion att LRDG, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 17 March 1942, Supp 35492, p1261

On 30 December 1941 near El Agheila, Cyrenaica, a party of Long Range Desert Group trucks was shot up and destroyed by enemy aircraft.  Private Bassett with great foresight collected his prismatic compass and a tin of water from his burning vehicle, although still under heavy fire from the attackers.  The crews of his trucks , numbering 10 other ranks, were then faced with the alternatives of a short walk to surrender at the nearest enemy post or of a long march of 200 miles over waterless desert to safety in Gialo. They chose the latter course and covered the distance in nine days, led and navigated by Private Bassett, to whom the main credit of the successful march is due

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

       8th Army

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 6 February 1914, Christchurch, New Zealand

Died