(Photo: Special Forces Roll of Honour)

Victor De Kock was the son of Mr and Mrs V de Kock, of Onrust River, Cape Province, South Africa.  

As a Temporary Sub Lieutenant, he was awarded the MBE “For courage, determination and fine seamanship in rescuing men from a torpedoed merchant ship in a lighter, when the weather was rough and the enemy near.” (London Gazette 16 June 1942), the Distinguished Service Cross “For courage, leadership and resolution in action against the Enemy in the Mediterranean” (London Gazette 17 Mar 1942), and Mentioned in Despatches during the withdrawal from Crete (London Gazette 8 Jan 1942).

Promoted Lieutenant in 1942, he was a member of Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP).  On 7 March 1943 he was launched from HMS UNRIVALLED in a Folbot together with Sub Lieutenant Alfred Crossley (q.v.), to carry out reconnaissance of beaches in Sicily ahead of Operation Husky. Nothing was seen of them again, despite a search for them the following night; they disappeared without trace and are assumed to have drowned.  

Victor De Kock is commemorated on Panel 83, Column 2 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial and the Simonstown Naval Memorial.

For more information, see  COPP Survey.