THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

TULLOCH Thomas William

35163, Sergeant, 25 Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 1 August 1944, Supp 36637, p3605

Sergeant Tulloch was a platoon sergeant during the attack on Cassino, Italy, on 15 March 1944.  During the early part of the attack his Platoon Commander was wounded and Sergeant Tulloch himself wounded by grenade splinters.  He immediately took command of the platoon and personally contacted a nearby tank and organised tank fire support which enabled him and his platoon to overcome the nearest enemy strong point.  By this time his total strength was reduced to 12 men and he was beyond the limit of further tank assistance. He reorganised his men and with platoon weapons along assaulted the next enemy strong point about 75 yards away.  They were driven back and he was again wounded but undaunted he led the remnants of his platoon round the flank of the enemy and established them in a strong position.  The enemy strongpoint consisted of a group of strongly-fortified houses at the base of point 193 but by keeping his men aggressively employed and by his tactics Sergeant Tulloch partially neutralised it.  He stayed with his men until ordered by his Company Commander to report to the Regimental Aid Post, from which he was evacuated.  Despite the heavy casualties suffered by his platoon, Sergeant Tulloch by his aggressive tactics and personal example, so led and encouraged his men as to keep in the highest spirits

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Stat

       8th Army

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 12 December 1916, New Zealand

Died 6 September 1957, Lower Hutt, New Zealand