Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Sergeant

Unit:

No. 1 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

July 5th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Chariot

"On 28 March, 1942, during the Commando Raid at St. Nazaire, France,

L/Sgt. Dockerill, as a member of the demolition party under Lieut. Chant's command, assisted his officers and other members of the party who had been wounded to climb from the wrecked bows of the destroyer, HMS CAMBELTOWN, on to the dock side.

L/Sgt. Dockerill, carrying Lieut. Chant's equipment, a sixty pound rucksack, then assisted him to their objective, the Pumping Station of the Dry Dock. This was done under enemy fire.

L/Sgt. Dockerill again assisted Lieut. Chant in descending to the Pumping Chamber, forty feet below ground.

His work in this Pumping Station was magnificent. He stayed with the officer while the latter fired the charges, and although the fuses were only set for a minute and a half, he waited to assist him to climb the stairs to the ground floor, a difficult feat, as the officer could only move slowly and it was completely dark. He got Lieut. Chant out with a few seconds to spare before the explosive blew up.

When the force attempted to fight out of the town and docks, heavy opposition was encountered. L/Sgt. Dockerill, as a forward scout, armed with only a colt automatic and grenades, assisted in leading the force through the streets in quick time.

When he ran out of ammunition and grenades he used his fighting knife and inflicted many casualties on the enemy.

L/Sgt. Dockerill was outstanding in his courage and devotion to duty. Throughout the entire action he showed a total disregard for his own safety."