Thornburn, Urwin

Date of birth:: June 11th, 1914 (Bradford/West Yorkshire, United Kingdom)
Date of death:: December 22nd, 1994 (Bishop's Castle/Shropshire, United Kingdom)
Service number:: 88595
Nationality:: British

Biography

On 16 August 1944, Aubusson was liberated under his leadership by the 4th Battalion of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. In recognition, he was appointed an honorary citizen of Aubusson and is remembered by a memorial stone on the Place du Thornburn named after him in 1986.

After the war, he became headmaster of the Pioneering Colfox School in Bridport, Dorset.

Promotions:
22 June 1939: 2nd Lieutenant for serving with Wreking College Contingent
5 October 1940: 2nd Lieutnant
1 May 1946: Captain (war sub)
1 April 1950: Captain & Honorary Major
15 February 1951: placed on unattached list
15 August 1951: Commission resigned

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Major
Unit:: 4th battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159th Infantry Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, British Army
Awarded on:: March 1st, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"Major Thornburn comds 'D' Coy.
On 22 Sep 44 his Coy was leading Coy in the assault on ASTEN across the BOIS-LE-DUC Canal. The bridgehead made during the night proved to be only fifty yards deep, and the exit from it was under considerable enemy Small Arms and mortar fire. The enemy were determined and fighting stubbornly.
The leading pl crossed the bridge but was held up by fire from buildings on the far bank. Major Thornburn with complete disregard for his personal safety, went fwd, and reorganised the attack so successfully, that the momentum was restored. Out of these buildings his Coy succeeded in capturing some fifty prisoners, in addition to inflicting numerous cas.
The adv continued, the Coy's objective being the centre of ASTEN.
As the leading pl reached the outskirts of the town, they were held up by small arms and mortar fire. Again Major Thornburn wend fwd under fire, and, by his outstanding example of personal bravery and leadership he exhorted his men into attack. The enemy opposition was overcome and the objective captured at great loss to the enemy.
This op was so successfully carried out that the remainder of the town was quickly cleared by other Rifle Coys. \T Major Thornburn's Coy was therefore virtually responsible for the capture of ASTEN, a vital road centre on the line of adv, and one which had been fiercely contested by the enemy. In this op some seven Offrs and 150 GR prisoners were taken, in addition to the numerous enemy kiled and wounded.
Major Thornburn's superb courage and leadership were an inspiration to all."