Husband of June

Lt R. D. Trounson, MC; Bulls; born Dargaville, 1 Oct 1916; farmer; wounded 15 Jul 1942. (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p.157.)

'Fifth Brigade moved after dark on the 7th behind the Kaponga Box. The distance was not great, but vehicles were continually getting bogged in soft sand and the troops spent more time out of the trucks pushing them than riding in them. It was after daybreak before 21 Battalion was in position facing south. The whole line was retiring slowly, and again that night (8 July) 21 Battalion was pulled back further east. Guides with signal lamps had been posted along the route into the Alinda Depression, and once more the unit dug itself in.
The Kaponga Box was stormed by the enemy on the morning of 9 July. His task was made easier by the fact that 6 Brigade had been withdrawn into reserve the previous day and the Box was unoccupied. Fifth Brigade spent the whole day in digging, wiring, and helping 7 Field Company to mine the wire in case the enemy, having captured the empty Kaponga Box, might feel ambitious enough to take on something tougher.
On the night of 9-10 July a reconnaissance and fighting patrol of one officer and five men from each battalion in the brigade, all under the command of Colonel Allen, went out with instructions to (i) draw fire, (ii) estimate the strength of the enemy in the vicinity, and (iii) obtain identifications if possible. The 22nd and 23rd Battalion parties met no opposition and returned safely, but Lieutenant Trounson, commanding 21 Battalion's patrol, had more success. This patrol revisited El Mreir and found what was thought to be half a dozen tanks bedded down for the night. The first one was rushed and turned out to be a heavy Italian tractor-drawn gun. The crew took shelter under the tractor, where they were dealt with, but as they were clad in overalls without straps or shoulder badges it was not possible to identify them. The patrol was withdrawn under wild and inaccurate small-arms fire without a scratch, although Private Phil Ross complained bitterly all the way back that he had sprained his wrist using his jammed tommy gun as a club on a reluctant Italian gunner. For this exploit and others later, Sergeant Charlie Carter was awarded the DCM. Lieutenant Trounson received an immediate MC.' (Source: Cody, J.F. 21 Battalion. p. 168.) AWMM