Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Thomas Michael O’Connor, Royal Army Service Corps, was awarded the Military Cross. On January 15th, 1943, at approximately 1400 hours and prior to the launching of the attack on Tripoli, Captain O’Connor proceeded under orders to make a reconnaissance of a track which would have greatly helped to shorten the route of evacuation of the wounded from the Highland Division, over badly cut up tracks. On reaching the subsidiary main road about three miles west of Buerat the car struck a mine, and this officer and his driver were blown through the roof. Fortunately, though unconscious, neither was badly injured. On regaining consciousness, Captain O’Connor walked four miles to obtain assistance for his driver. Both were eventually evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station. Captain O’Connor refused to stay in hospital. He insisted on returning to this duties with the Highland Division, where, as a result of his reconnaissance, he was able to bring the wounded in safely to the Casualty Clearing Station. During the advance he continued to lead his section in an exemplary manner, overcoming by his resolution extreme difficulties on the long line of evacuation, so saving many lives and much suffering. His dogged pluck in fetching assistance and devotion to duty were beyond praise and resulted in the satisfactory evacuation of a large number of casualties to Field Ambulances and Casualty Clearing Stations. Captain O’Connor was born at Arklow, Co. Wicklow. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...&catid=22&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=* Recommendation for Award for O'Connor, Thomas Michael Rank: Temporary Captain, Lieutenant Service No: 178753 Regiment: 16 Motor Ambulance Convoy Award: Military Cross Recommendation for Award for O'Connor, Thomas Michael Rank: Captain Service No: 178753 Regiment: 25 Company Royal Army Service Corps Award: Member of British Empire London Gazette: 13 May 1941 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35163/supplements/2789 The undermentioned to be 2nd Lts.: — 28th Mar. 1941: — C.S.M. Thomas Michael O'CONNOR (178753), from I. Gds. 8 August 1941 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35243/supplements/4657 ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS. The date of appt. of 2nd Lt. T. M. O'Connor (178753) is 1st Apr. 1941, and not as stated in Gazette (Supplement) dated 13th May 1941. 28 January 1947 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37867/supplements/548 2nd Lt. (War Subs. Capt.) Thomas Michael O'CONNOR, (M.B.E., M.C. (178753) from Emerg. Commn. R.A.S.C. to be Capt., 1st Sept. 1946, with seniority, 19th Aug. 1943. See this thread for ref: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/resear...ire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852 :irishflag[1]:
