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NX67447 - PURDON, Arthur Henry Maitland, WO1
Nominal Roll details
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM)
"WO Purdon held the
appointment of QMS in this unit during the Battle of GEMAS. In
one operation on 13 January, 1942, this WO was the last to leave
the scene of operations after the order to withdraw had been
issued.
Despite the *****
small arms fire was being directed upon ************ this man
showed exceptional courage and bravery *** ensure the evacuation
of all wounded in the small amount of Motor transport available.
He is a thoroughly
qualified first aid man and in that capacity was invaluable to
the RMO. During the whole day of the battle he was occupied
looking for and attending to the wounded and because of his
capabilities he was thoroughly capable of handling wounded
remaining at the end of the battle and arranging for their
evacuation by motor transport.
This man has
distinguished himself by his courage in taking ration parties
forward daily throughout the action on the mainland. Despite in
many instances severe bombing and shelling he always succeeded
in getting his ration truck through to the forward troops. His
gallantry on these occasions has made him renowned throughout
the unit, a renown to which I personally subscribe.
He has performed
many individual acts of bravery in addition to the exceptional
courage and devotion to duty shown by him in the instances
related in the forgoing.
I strongly
recommend that Warrant Officer Purdon be awarded the
Distinguished Conduct Medal."
(Source: 2/30 Bn.
Archives - originally transcribed from the
Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney
Foundation in 1998.)
Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) (Citation in
Service Record)
Army No. NX67447
Rank WO 1
NAME PURDON Arthur Henry Jason (Mason)
UNIT 2/30 Bn AIF
NEXT OF KIN Mrs. AH,J, PURDON (Wife) 26 Lindsay Street,
EAST MAITLAND During AIF operations in
MALAYA, the 2/30 Bn AIF was attacked on 16 Jan 42 in the area of
GEMAS by an overwhelming enemy force in a number of positions.
In these withdrawal operations, WO PURDON RQMS 2/30 Bn was the
last person to leave the battlefield. He remained behind to
ensure the evacuation of wounded. He showed exceptional
gallantry by repeatedly assisting wounded personnel while
subject to heavy small arms and mortar fire from enemy in close
contact at short range. WO PURDON
consistently distinguished himself by his courage in taking
ration parties forward daily despite severe bombing and shelling
and he always succeeded in getting through to the most forward
troops. At all times during the whole of
the operations in which his unit participated WO PURDON showed
exceptional courage and devotion to duty under heavy enemy fire.
AUTHORITY LONDON GAZETTE NO. 37671 (Source:
NAA: B883 NX67447)
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Last updated
31/08/2021 |
