Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Sergeant

Unit:

No.11 Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the morning of 16 October 1944 during the attack on Woensdrecht, Sergeant Dearden was acting as Platoon Commander of 11 Platoon of "B" Company, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry.
During the approach to the objective Sergeant Dearden was severely wounded in the arm but showing great determination, he refused to be evacuated and continued to lead his platoon on to their objective under heavy enemy mortar and machine gun fire. On reaching the objective Sergeant Dearden was again wounded in the legs by grenades, but in spite of great pain still refused to be evacuated. It was not until the objective was secure and consolidation complete that Sergeant Dearden finally consented to receive first aid. On being evacuated to the Regimental Aid Post he fainted from weakness and loss of blood.
Sergeant Dearden's devotion to duty and inspiring leadership gave to the men under his command the power to rise to the highest efforts and enabled the platoon to secure its objective in the face of heavy odds.