| Surname: | Tozer |
| Initials: | V V |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Army Number: | 7683672 |
| Notes: | CMP. From Sandhurst. Enlisted in to CMP. War Diary 2 Div Pro Coy WO 172/4260. 8/8/44 H E The Viceroy visited the div and held an investiture, Sgt Tozer V V was presented with the MM. Casualty List 1172/5, Burma, Wounded, 6/4/1943. MM. Medal card not found. Victor V Tozer. Extract from the Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 11 August 1944. SANDHURST SERGT. WINS MM. Mrs Esme Tozer of Field Green, Sandhurst has received word that her husband Sergt. V V Tozer, CMP, who is serving in Burma , has been awarded the MM. Sergt. Tozer was serving with the AA in the Sandhurst Area before the war and used to assist the local dance band. In 1940 he married Miss Esme Blade, eldest daughter of Mr & Mrs J Blain. He recently met his brother in India. (Article has a portrait picture of Sergt. Tozer. Extract from the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 19 August 1944. CHERITON MAN GETS M.M. Sergt. V V Tozer, CMP of Sandhurst, serving in Burma, has been awarded the Military Medal. A son of Mr and Mrs Tozer, Lion Restaurant, Cheriton. Sergt. Tozer has also served in other parts of the East. He was in France in the first week of the war and returned to England through Dunkirk. An old boy of Morehall School, he was a member of the Folkestone Cycling club and of the Newington Guild. He was employed by Messrs Martin Walter. His happy and generous manner has earned him many Friends in Folkestone. (article has a small portrait picture of Sergt. Tozer. Extract from the Maidstone Telegraph. Friday 15 December 1944. Ignored Snipers, Rescued Men From Burning Ambulance. Kent Sergeant In Military Police Awarded Military Medal. A Kent sergeant of the Military Police who rescued patients from a burning ambulance whist subjected to sniping has been awarded the Military Medal. He is sergeant Victor Tozer of the CMP Nutshell Cottage, Field Green, Sandhurst. He is the son of Mr and Mrs F Tozer of The Lion Restaurant, High Street, Cheriton, and is an old by of Morehall School, Folkestone. He is a member of Folkestone Cycling Club and of the Newington Guild. Before the war he was an A A Scout from Newenden to Flimwell and subsequently at Pembury. He came through Dunkirk unscathed. The citation states:- This NCO was detailed to assist in the evacuation of casualties from Kohima Garrison on April 19th 1944. On his own initiative he proceeded to the forward control post, where he personally directed turn round of ambulances and assisted in the loading of patients. He remained at his post until the evacuation was completed. UNDER CONTINUOUS SNIPING AND MORTAR FIRE. During the evacuation his post was under continuous sniping and mortar fire. "One of the ambulances was hit by a mortar bomb, the patients killed or wounded within ten yards of this NCO, who immediately took steps to rescue the patients and rescue the patients and clear the road block formed by the burning ambulance." It was largely due to the high standard of traffic control and personal example that this NCO showed that all the casualties of the Kohima Garrison were successfully evacuated. Sergjt. Tozer in addition has remained in charge of this traffic control point for the last month, and during the first tow week s was subjected to shell and mortar fire and accurate sniping. MAINTAINED ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES. By his efficiency and personal example complete with a personal disregard for his own safety, Serjt. Tozer has ensured that supplies and ammunition reached the garrison and that casualties to personnel and vehicles were kept to a minimum on the stretch of road for which he was responsible, which was in full view of the enemy.. He has maintained an example of a devotion to duty and comradeship in keeping with the traditions of the Corps of Military Police. Extract from the Kentish Express - Friday 2 January 1959. Oldest A A Box To Be Retired- AND WIITH IT WILL GO IT'S PATROLMAN. The oldest A A Box in England which has served at Newingreen since 1912 has seen it's last days in service. Also going in to retirement is Mr. V V Tozer of 2 St. George's Road, Morehall, Folkestone who has been the A A Patrolman at the box for the past 21 years. A new box bearing the historic "No. 1" plaque has been set up on the Ashford side of Newingreen because the old box is sited on a difficult and heavily used junction adjoining the Motel. It is believed the old box was the original one put up soon after the A A Was founded. Nevertheless, its basic external design is still retained in modern well equipped boxes that by comparison have a contemporary interior. Patrolman Tozer, who is proud of being based at the number one box will see little service in the new box. He retires this week-end for health reasons. Mr. Tozer holds the Military Medal which he won in Burma dur9ing the last war when he was a military policeman helping with the evacuation of wounded while under fire. It will be a sad Patrolman Tozer that signs off with his headquarters at Maidstone from England's newest A A Box with the oldest member. ( the article has a small picture of No. 1 Box with Serjt. Tozer at the door. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 36679 Page: 4052 Aug. 31, 1944) |
| Citation: | Military Medal Citation.Kohima, BurmaFor leadership, initiative and gallant conduct. This NCO was detailed to assist in the evacuation of casualties from the KOHIMA GARRISON on 19 April 1944. On his own initiative he proceeded to the forward control post where he personally directed the turnaround of ambulances and assisted in the loading of patients. He remained at his post until the evacuation was complete. During the evacuation his post was under constant sniping and mortarfire. One of the ambulances was hit by a mortar bomb, set on fire and the patients all killed or wounded within 10 yards of this NCO who immediately took steps to rescue the patients and clear the road block formed by the burning ambulance. It was largely due to the high standard of traffic control combined with personal example that this NCO showed, that all the casualties of the KOHIMA GARRISON were successfully evacuated.Sergeant Tozer in addition has remained in charge of this TCP (Traffic Control Post) for the last month, and during the first two weeks was daily subjected to shell and mortar fire, and accurate sniping.By his efficiency, initiative and personal example coupled with a complete disregard of his own safety, Sergeant Tozer has ensured that supplies and ammunition reached the garrison and that casualties to personnel and vehicles were kept to a minimum on the stretch of road for which he was responsible, which was in full view of the enemy. He has maintained throughout an example of devotion to duty and leadership in keeping with the traditions of the Corps of Military Police.Recommended for DCM awarded an immediate MM. Recommended by Brigadier J F Shafland Commander 6 Inf Bde, 2 Div. National Archive WO 373/33. |