Australian Military Units

Lieutenant Thomas Currie 'Diver' Derrick, VC, DCM

Date of birth  1914-03-20  Berri, SA. 
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)  1940-07-05  Appointed to 2/48 Battalion, 9 Division. 
Date promoted  1941-07-11  Appointed corporal. 
Date promoted  1942-07-28  Appointed sergeant. 
Date wounded  1942-10  Wounded and evacuated during the battle of El Alamien. 
Date returned to Australia  1943-02  Derrick rejoined his unit for the journey home. 
Date of honour or award  1943-02-18  Received Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for action at Tel el Eisa, Syria, while serving with the 2/48th, 9th Division the previous year. 
Other  1943-07  2/48 Battalion helped capture Lae, Papua New Guinea. 
Date of honour or award  1943-11-24  Awarded Victoria Cross for action at Sattelberg, Papua New Guinea whilst serving with 2/48 Battalion, 26 Brigade, 9 Division as a sergeant. Derrick's platoon was ordered to take a slope by storm, but the platoon was held back by intense fire from the enemy. The company was ordered to retire, but Derrick obtained permission to make another attempt. He advanced alone and was so successful that the 2/48 battalion was able to capture Sattelberg the following day. 
Date returned to Australia  1944-02  Derrick returned home with the 2/48 Battalion. 
Date promoted  1944-12-26  Graduated from officer cadet training unit as a lieutenant and rejoined the 2/48 Battalion as a reinforcement officer. 
Other  1945-05-01  Derrick and his unit were deployed in Borneo, landing at Tarakan. 
Date of death  1945-05-24  Died on Tarakan Island, Borneo, from wounds received during Allied campaign to regain the Borneo oilfields.