Award of the Military Medal
to
Sergeant Thomas Moffett Donaghy, 26th April, 1945.
On November 14th 1944, at map ref 418206 Serjeant Donaghy was Troop Leader of three tanks supporting A Company 6 Black Watch. His orders were to support A Company in clearing the houses on each side of the road and seizing the T junction 418206. At the junction several enemy tanks were known to be lying in wait. One anti-tank gun was known to be sited down the road which had not been swept for mines, and it was impossible to get off the road. A platoon of 6 Black Watch had managed to reach a house 200 yards short of the objective but were pinned down from Spandau fire from the enemy tanks.
Serjeant Donaghy made a most gallant attempt to get to their assistance. The only way was straight up the road. As soon as he moved he came under high-explosive and armour-piercing fire from enemy tanks but continued up the road. Just before he reached the infantry his tank was hit and knocked out. Serjeant Donaghy was wounded by blast and splash in the face and could not see out of one eye. He refused to be evacuated and after dark sufficiently repaired his tank to enable it to be towed to a defensive position for the night. He accomplished this in spite of intense fixed line Spandau fire down the road. He manned his tank throughout the night and did not go to hospital until ordered to do so next day.
Serjeant Donaghy’s grim determination at all costs to carry out his task of supporting the infantry and his success in carrying out this task in face of strong opposition and in spite of his own wounds, showed devotion to duty and personal courage which were quite beyond praise.
Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, Commanding Officer 6th Black Watch.
Endorsements by
Commander 12th British Infantry Brigade
Commander 4th British Infantry Division.
Commander 5 Corps.
Approved by
Field-Marshall H. R. Alexander, Commander Central Mediterranean Force.
London Gazette Record
Issue: 37051 Date: 26.4.1945 Page: 2217.
which view.
Gazetted 17th July, 1945
Issue: 37184 Page: 3721
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