- SURNAME
Bassett
- FORENAME
Denis Morton
- UNIT
LRDG
- RANK
Private
- NUMBER
12518
- AWARD
Distinguished Conduct Medal
- PLACE
North Africa 1941
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 23 Training Bn,2 N.Z.E.F.
born 6.2.1914 Christchurch,New Zealand
resided Rangiora
farmer in civilian life
later Second Lieutenant
CITATION:
Distinguished Conduct Medal : On 30/12/41 near EL AGHEILA; a party of LRDG trucks was shot up and destroyed by enemy aircraft. Pte. BASSET, 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 the trucks; numbering 10 O.R.s. were then faced with the alternative of a short walk to the nearest enemy post, and surrender, or of a long march of 200 miles over waterless desert to safety at GIALO. They chose the latter alternative and covered the distance in 9 days led and navigated by Pte. BASSET to whom the main credit of the successful march is due.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358851NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358851
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