Mention In Despatches October 1943

"HMS Newfoundland was torpedoed at 1338 on 23rd July 1943. HMS Laforey started a search for the submarine, being joined by the 8th Destroyer Flotilla at 1440. At 1541 the submarine fired torpedoes at Laforey, who with HMS Eclipse carried out five counterattacks which brought the submarine (Italian S/M Ascianghi) to the surface at 1615.

This Officer as Gunnery Control Officer in the Director Control Tower opened a heavy and accurate fire on the submarine at the moment it surfaced. Hits were quickly obtained and the submarine was finally sunk by gunfire due to this Officer's calmness and efficiency."

 

Refs. ADM 1/14477 & London Gazette Supplement No.3 6205 published 12 Oct 1943

Gordon Leslie Ticehurst was born and baptised in October 1921 in Heathfield, West Sussex, the son of William Ticehurst (a career RN man) and Elizabeth Annie Pearce. Gordon joined the RNVR and was appointed as Acting Sub-Lieutenant of the HMS Laforey in October 1941. He was recommended for a Mention In Despatches for his service during the capture of Diego Suarez, Madagascar, in Operation Ironclad in May 1942 and again for his role in the sinking of the Italian submarine the "Ascianghi" which was awarded in October 1943. Gordon was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1944 and was Officer of the Watch on the Laforey's bridge when it was sunk by a GNAT (G7es) homing torpedo fired by the German U-Boat U223 in March 1944.