DIAMOND, Thomas

Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
Service: 
Army
Number: 
3779240
Born: 
Thursday, December 9, 1920
Birthplace: 
Liverpool
Died : 
Saturday, March 28, 1942
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
21
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Private Thomas Diamond, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. 
Son of Mrs. Barbara Diamond of 28 Penrith Street Liverpool 8. Brother of Royal Artillery Gunners John Diamond and Joseph Henry Diamond, both prisoners of war at the time.

Thomas was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 267 , as was R.S.M. Alan Moss. Their squad was to be a small HQ reserve for Lieutenant Colonel Newman. However in the chaos of the action as the ML's tried to land their Commandos, ML267 came under heavy fire and the ML began to burn. They were ordered to abandon ship which they did.
R.S.M. Alan Moss and others had managed to get out of the water onto a carley float (a liferaft). However on seeing a young Pte Diamond struggling in the water R.S.M. Moss gave up his place in the raft for him and slid into the water. Whilst helping to negotiate the liferaft towards the harbour wall RSM Moss was shot and killed. 
Private Diamond was one of eight of the eleven Commandos on this launch who died.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/41 and WO417/49.
Report in the Liverpool Echo, Saturday 4th April 1942.
Storming St Nazaire, author James Dorrian.
Recommendation for RSM Moss (see Linked Content below).
Article with image in the Liverpool Echo 11 December 1942.
The 19 June 1921 Census (Liverpool CB.) (records age as 6 months).
The 1939 Register covering Penrith Street Liverpool (includes date of birth).
Casualty Lists for his brothers and RA Records. 
[Image] Cropped from 4 Troop image in Gallery.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 
Additional content: 

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