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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