THOMSON Richard Heywood

5599, Sergeant, 4 Reserve Mechanical Transport Company, New Zealand Army Service Corps, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 22 April 1941, Supp 35144, p2346

Sergeant Thomson was in charge of a troop-carrying transport which conveyed ‘B’ Company, 4/6 Rajputana Rifles, in the advance to attack Tummar East, Egypt, on 9 December 1940 when an enemy counter-attack suddenly developed on the flank.  He showed the greatest disregard of danger and calmly moved his vehicles through a hail of machine-gun bullets until ordered to stop for the troops to alight.  After this he attached himself to a Bren gun section which attacked and forced the surrender of an enemy detachment of light machine-gunners.  His example was an inspiration to the section throughout these operations

Mention in Despatches

Gazetted

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

War Medal 1939-45

       Mention in Despatches

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 19 February 1912, Port Chalmers, Dunedin, New Zealand

Died 28 March 1977, Raumati South, New Zealand

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