Denys Morton Tehidy “Dennis” Bassett
Sergeant · NZ #12518 · T2 Patrol · DCM
| Rank | Sergeant |
|---|---|
| Service number | NZ #12518 |
| Patrol | T2 Patrol |
| Known as | “Dennis” |
| Born | 1914-02-06 |
| Died | 2006-02-01 |
| Honours | DCM |
| Campaign medals | War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal |
| Record | https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C128026 |
What this roll records
Embarkation detail from his Cenotaph record: he embarked as Sergeant, Infantry Reinforcements, 2NZEF. He embarked at a HIGHER rank than this roll records for him — the roll holds him as a Corporal. That is the opposite of the usual direction. On Tony’s decision of 22 August 2026 the rank held on this card has been raised to match the embarkation record; the rank it previously held was Corporal. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record C128026.
First name recorded as Denys; reports and citations refer to him as Denis. Source: Brendan O’Carroll.
Full name Denys Morton Tehidy Bassett. Born 6 February 1914; died 1 February 2006, aged 92. DCM awarded 1942. Last rank Lieutenant, 23 (Canterbury) Infantry Battalion, D Company. Buried at Long Beach Cemetery, Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand (with his wife Enid A. 'Kaid' Bassett, died 10 May 2014, aged 88). Death notice: New Zealand Herald, 15 February 2006. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): 2nd Lt D. M. Bassett, DCM — farmer, Rangiora; born Christchurch, 6 Feb 1914.
Original member of the Long Range Patrol (LRP), 1940 — listed with the “LRP” comment in the nominal roll, The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll).
The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): T2 Patrol navigator. In January 1942, after four of the patrol's five trucks were destroyed by Stukas, he guided a 10-man party to safety across the desert; in the final stages, exhausted, his legs gave out and he crawled until found by Arabs who cared for him. He received the DCM for his skilful navigation.
At Nofilia (December 1941) retrieved a prismatic compass from his burning vehicle while it was still under fire, then, as navigator, guided the eight New Zealanders and two Englishmen on the eight-day, 200-mile trek to Augila. Awarded the DCM. Source: ‘Raids Behind the Enemy Lines’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
As T2 navigator during the outflanking of the Mareth Line (March 1943), guided a New Zealand Provost party marking the ‘Diamond track’ along the New Zealand Corps’ line of advance through Wilder’s Gap. Source: ‘The Eighth Army Advance / Reconnaissance in Tunisia’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).
Farmer, of Rangiora; born Christchurch, 6 Feb 1914. DCM; later commissioned. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).
His Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded in 1942. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
See him in the full roll →Where this comes from
- Honours & campaign medals from Online Cenotaph: DCM, War Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.
- Additional sources (AWMM Online Cenotaph). Nominal Roll 2NZEF No. 3, p.30. Unit history: Ross, A. (1959). 23 Battalion. External links: Ross, 23 Battalion (NZETC): http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-23Ba.html Also cited: Taylor, N. (1998). The New Zealand Roll of Honour 1845-1995; Death notice, New Zealand Herald, 15 February 2006.
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Not By Strength But By Guile