Awards & Winners

Tom Derrick

Date of Birth 20-March-1914
Place of Birth Medindie, South Australia
(South Australia, Australia)
Nationality Australia
Profession Soldier
Thomas Currie "Diver" Derrick VC, DCM was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. In November 1943, during the Second World War, Derrick was awarded the Victoria Cross for his assault on a heavily defended Japanese position at Sattelberg, New Guinea. During the engagement, he scaled a cliff face while under heavy fire and silenced seven machine gun posts, before leading his platoon in a charge that destroyed a further three. Born in the Adelaide suburb of Medindie, South Australia, Derrick left school at the age of fourteen and found work in a bakery. As the Great Depression grew worse he lost his job and moved to Berri, working on a fruit farm before marrying in 1939. In July 1941, Derrick enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force, joining the 2/48th Battalion. He was posted to the Middle East, where he took part in the Siege of Tobruk, was recommended for the Military Medal and promoted to corporal. Later, at El Alamein, Derrick was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for knocking out three German machine gun posts, destroying two tanks, and capturing one hundred prisoners.

Awards by Tom Derrick

Check all the awards nominated and won by Tom Derrick.

1943


Victoria Cross
(For most conspicuous courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty during the final assault on Sattelberg in November, 1943 as Sergeant of the 26th Brigade, AIF during the Second World War.)