Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

2/48 Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Army

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1943

Citation:
"For outstanding leadership and personal courage in action during the initial fighting at TEL EL EISA in Jul 42 and devotion to duty for the period May to Oct 1942.
Sgt. DERRICK has frequently shown outstanding leadership in action and during the attack on TEL EL EISA in the early morning of Jul 42, by his own personal courage and leadership, attacked and captured three Fiat MG nests. He was personally responsible for the capture of 100 enemy by his cool determination, leading his men with great dash and bravery.
Later that same night, in counter-attack on enemy tanks and infantry at the TEL EL EISA Ry. Sta. Sgt. DERRICK was outstanding in fighting qualities.
He attacked two German tanks with sticky bombs, damaging both, and was a great factor in the successful counter-attack which restores the Sta. to our forces."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

2/48th Battalion, Australian Army

Awarded on:

March 23rd, 1944

Citation:
"For most conspicuous courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty during the final assault on Sattelberg in November, 1943.
On 24th November, 1943, a company of an Australian Infantry Battalion was ordered to outflank a strong enemy position sited on a precipitous cliff-face and then to attack a feature 150 yards from the township of Sattelberg. Sergeant Derrick was in command of his platoon of the company. Due to the nature of the country, the only possible approach to the town lay through an open kunai patch situated directly beneath the top of the cliffs. Over a period of two hours many attempts were made by our troops to clamber up the slopes to their objective, but on each occasion the enemy prevented success with intense machine-gun fire and grenades.
Shortly before last light it appeared that it would be impossible to reach the objective or even to hold the ground already occupied and the company was ordered to retire. On receipt of this order, Sergeant Derrick, displaying dogged tenacity, requested one last attempt to reach the objective. His request was granted.
Moving ahead of his forward section he personally destroyed, with grenades, an enemy post which had been holding up this section. He then ordered his second section around on the right flank. This section came under heavy fire from light machine-guns and grenades from, six enemy posts. Without regard for personal safety he clambered forward well ahead of the leading men of the section and hurled grenade after grenade, so completely demoralising the enemy that they fled leaving weapons and grenades. By this action alone the company was able to gain its first foothold on the precipitous ground.
Not content with the work already done, he returned to the first section, and together with the third section of his platoon advanced to deal with the three remaining posts in the area. On four separate occasions he dashed forward and threw grenades at a range of six to eight yards until these positions were finally silenced.
In all, Sergeant Derrick had reduced ten enemy posts. From the vital ground he had captured the remainder of the Battalion moved on to capture Sattelberg the following morning.
Undoubtedly Sergeant Derrick's fine leadership and refusal to admit defeat, in the face of a seemingly impossible situation, resulted in the capture of Sattelberg. His outstanding gallantry, thoroughness and devotion to duty were an inspiration not only to his platoon and company but to the whole Battalion."

Medal presented to his wife on 7 May, 1947 at Government House, Adelaide by the Governor of South Australia

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)