LRDG Bassett, Denis Morton

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • 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/D7358851

NATIONAL ARCHIVES:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358851
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Denis Morton Bassett

Its wonderful to find this on the internent. This great man is my Grandfather who sadly passed away 5 years ago. He will forever be rememberd for what he & his men did. We are forever in your debt. Thank you Pa, I miss you!
 
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