Studio portrait of VX15789 Sergeant (Sgt) Oliver Ronney Clark Dossetor, 2/14 Battalion (2/14 Bn). ...

Accession Number P02721.003
Collection type Photograph
Object type Negative
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made 1940
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Studio portrait of VX15789 Sergeant (Sgt) Oliver Ronney Clark Dossetor, 2/14 Battalion (2/14 Bn). Sgt Dossetor was killed in action at Jezzine, Syria on 24 June 1941. The 2/14 Bn was brought in from the Syrian coast, to reinforce troops fighting in the Jezzine area. Between the 22nd and 24th June, 1941, two companies of the 2/14 Bn were employed in a flanking attack under darkness, from Kharat across the intervening valley against the French positions on Hill 1332 and Hill 1284, two peaks on top of the escarpment. The platoon Sgt Dossetor was with had advanced fast under fire from well-sited French machine guns and rifle fire on the steep slopes of Hill 1284. Sgt Dossetor was wounded, together with another two casualties. VX15730 Lance-Corporal Russell McConnell ran back to assist the wounded, set up his Bren gun on low ground and drew the fire of the French to enable the remainder of the platoon to get to a safer location. L/Cpl. McConnell then attempted to carry the fatally-wounded Sgt Dossetor, and was killed in the attempt.

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