Major Basil Terah Hooley

Army Number : n/a

Battalion : 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Awards : M.C. (Military Cross)

Lieut Temp Capt Acting Major: 1/7th (Robin Hood) Battalion, attached 5th Battalion Tank Corps: London Gazette 7.11.1918:  For gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company of tanks near Domart, August 8th 1918. In order to reach his position of deployment, this officer had to take his tanks across the river Luce by Thennes Bridge and move them for a distance of 1700 yards to a flank within 100 yards of the enemy front line. The bridge at Thennes was in a very precarious condition, and the entire approach march had to be carried out throughout the area in which the enemy barrage was known to fall. In carrying out this most difficult operation Major Hooley displayed the greatest coolness and judgement and succeeded in getting all thirteen tanks to their position of deployment, whence they proceeded into action at zero. Throughout the operations, on August the 8th major Hooley kept in close touch with his tanks in spite of heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, and supervised and directed them in their operations with the greatest judgement and decision. His gallantry and capable handling of his company enabled the infantry to reach the objective at the expense of very few casualties.: 

Died of Pneumonia at Risley Lodge, Derbyshire,  28th October 1918 aged 26 yrs

Buried : Risley (All Saints) Churchyard, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.