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DELLOW, Gunner, REGINALD VICTOR, 1080766. 137 Field Regt. Royal Artillery. 29th May 1945. Age 32. S. C. 6.
DENHAM, Trooper, ROBERT ERNEST, NX 117704. A.I.F. 2/3. Australian Commando Squadron. 2nd July 1945. Age 29. Son of Robert and Ellen Donham; husband of Dorothy Jean Denham, of Homebush, New South Wales, Australia. 13. D. 5.
DENNETT, Private, THEODORE DONALD, VX106822. A.I.F. 2/27 Bn. Australian Infantry. 1st July 1945. Age 20. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Dennett, of Hiphett, Victoria, Australia. 8. C. 6.
DENNIS, Private, ALEXANDER GEORGE, S/68648. 208 Petrol Depot. Royal Army Service Corps. 16th August 1945. Age 38. Son of James Edward and Elsie Dennis, of Acton, Middlesex; husband of Margaret Dennis, of Acton, Middlesex. P. E. 10.
DERHAM, Private, TRAVIS WILFRED, XV147931. A.I.F. 2/24 Bn. Australian Infantry. 3rd May 1945. Age 20. Son of William and Gwendoline Edith Derham, of Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia. 15. C. 13.
DERRICK, Lieutenant, THOMAS CURRIE, V C, D C M, SX7964. 2/48 Bn. Australian Infantry. 24th May 1945. Age 31. Son of David and Ada Derrick; husband of Beryl Violet Derrick, of North Adelaide, South Australia. 24. A. 9. The following details are given in the London Gazette of 24th April, 1945:-On 24th November, 1943, Sergeant Thomas Currie Derrick, D.C.M., was in command of a platoon of a Company of Australian Infantry ordered to attack a feature from the township of Sattelburg. For over two hours many unsuccessful attempts were made, under heavy fire from enemy strong points at the top of a precipitous cliff which the Company had to scale to reach the objective. The task appeared impossible, and shortly before last light the Company was ordered to retire. Sergeant Derrick requested, and was granted, permission to make one last attempt. Moving ahead of his forward section he personally destroyed with hand grenades an enemy post which had been holding up this section. His second section were heavily attacked by machine guns and grenades from six enemy posts. Without regard for his personal safety he went ahead of the leading men and with grenades so completely demoralised the enemy that they fled leaving weapons and grenades. The Company was thus enabled to gain its first foothold on the precipitous ground. Then on four separate occasions Sergeant Derrick dashed forward and threw grenades at a range of 5 to 7 metres until the remaining three posts were silenced. In all he reduced ten enemy posts, and from the vital ground he captured the Battalion moved on and took Sattelburg. Undoubtedly the capture of Sattelburg was due to Sergeant Derrick's fine leadership and refusal to admit defeat in a seemingly impossible situation. His outstanding gallantry, thoroughness and devotion to duty were an inspiration not only to his platoon and company, but to the whole Battalion.
DEVEREUX, Flight Sergeant, LESLIE WILLIAM, 438586. Royal Australian Air Force. 2nd July 1945. Age 20. Son of Alexander and Jane Laura Devereux, of Wallacedale, Victoria, Australia. Coll. grave 18. D. 6-15.
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