SERVICE AWARDS

PUBLIC INVESTITURE

TOWN HALL CEREMONY

Decorations for gallantry and service in the Middle East, Greece, Crete, Italy, and the Pacific were presented to 67 members of New Zealand's Fighting Forces at a public investiture* in the Town Hall last night. The presentations were made by his Excellency the Governor-General, and keen public interest in the proceedings was shown by the very large attendance. The ceremony was formal throughout, and as each recipient moved up to receive his decoration ho was given an impressive reception bi' the spectators. .

The first to receive his award was the V.C. winner, Second-Lieutenant Keith Mliott, of Pahiatua, who earned this coveted cross for his gallantry at Ruweisat, on the recommendation of General Sir Harold Alexander, then Commander-in-Chief, Middle East. He was given a great ovation as he stepped forward. His Excellency, accompanied by Lady Newall, arrived at 8 o'clock and were received by the Mayor (Mr. W. Appleton) and Mrs. Appleton, who escorted them into the hall in company with, the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). The Mayor and Mayoress and Mr. Fraser took their seats in the-body of the hall, with the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), and the "Viceregal party took their place on the stage. Their Excellencies stood at the head of the steps leading up to the stage, and with them were Flight Lieutenant H. A. Eaton, A.D.C., and Acting Captain M. J. Yeatman, R.N., Acting Captain A. D. Boyle, R.N. (retired), Brigadier A. E. Conway, N.Z.S.C., Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Clachan, and Acting Air Commodore R. B. Bannerman, honorary aides-de-camp. Major H. A. Jaffray, military secretary to his Excellency, summoned each recipient, who stepped forward into the open space in front of the stage and stood at attention as the citation or Royal Warrant was read. He then moved smartly up to the stage, bowed' to his Excellency, had the decoration pinned on his left breast, shook hands and exchanged a few words with both his Excellency and Lady Newall, and stepped from the stage, taking a seat in the body of the hall.

Among those who were awarded honours was the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General E. Puttick, who received a bar to his D.S.O. for gallantry in Greece. General Puttick, on receipt of his own award, was the first to congratulate Lieutenant Elliott. Matron Hennessey, of Hastings, and Matron Thwaites, of Tfentham Camp Hospital, were the only women recipients of honours.

The orders and decorations presented were

Victoria Cross. Second-Lieutenant Keith Elliott, of Manganiaiie, Paliiatiia. Commandor of the Order of tno British Empire.

Brigadier Henry Ksau Avery, Cβ., D.5.0., of Wellington. Bar to Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant-General Kdward l'uttick, C.8., 0.5.0., of Wellington. Companion of tho Distinguished Service Order. Colonel Leslie Wilton Andrew, V.C., of Wellington. Lieutenant-Colonel James Russell Page, of Wellington. Llculcnnnt-Colonel Gilford John McNaught, of New Plymouth. Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Baker, of Wellington. Major William Richard Kiimuilt Morrison, of Wellington. Officer of the Ordor of tho British Empire. Brigadier Ivan Stuart Wilson, M.C., 8.U., of Wellington. Group Captain Michael Sullivan Keogh, A.M., of Wellington. Commander Andrew Douglas Holden, ■ R.D., of Lower Hull. Lieutennnt-Colonel George Laurence Agar, D.5.0., of Wellington. Wing Commander Esmond Allen Gibson, of Wellington. Major George Harold Whyto, E.U., of Tauranixa.

Member of the Order of tho British Empire. Wing Commander Albert Tom Giles, of Nelson.

The Itov. Norman Krncst. Winhnll, Chaplain to (lie Forces, SU Class, of Upper Hull. Major and Quartermaster Joseph Stewart King, of KcretaunKa. Telegraphist. Lieutenant Halson PhilpoU, K.N.K.N., of Wellington. Flight Lieutenant John James McDowell, of New riymoutli. Lady of Royal Red Cross. .Matron Miss .Mary Hennessey, of Hastings. Matron Mins (iladys Lillian Thwaites, Trenthum Camp Hospital. Distinguished Service Cross. Commander flank ICdivard Taylor, V.D., of Wellington. Military Cross and Bar. Captain Alexander Mathlesoii Itulhcrl'ord, of New riymoutli. Military Cross. Major Klnui .Areta Kcihn, of Gixborne. Captain William Frank Liley, of New PlylilOllll). Captain Thornton liinnlngvillo Murray Hoblis, of Clirlsteliureh. Lieutenant Loslio Edward MeAneny, of Wellington. Distinguished Flying Cross. Squadron Leader Neville Laurence Hoy Cowan, Ii.A.F., of Hastings. Flight Lieutenant J!rrol Howard -Brown, of Ohakca. Flying Officer Harry O'Brieu Lyver, of Lower Hutt. • Flying Officer Jack Marshall, of Nelson. Flying Ollicer (ieoll're.v Kr.vson Fiskcn, of Masterton. Air Force Cross. Winy Commander James Dulf Hewott, of Wellington. WiiiK Commander Henry Campbell Walker, of Palmer.ston North. Distinguished Conduct Medal. Captain Allan Campbell Wood, of Nelson. Second-Lieutenant Houald Francis Garmonsway, of Tnlhape. Warrant Ollicer (Class II) Edward James BVerilt McQueen, of Wellington. Gcoroo Medal. Sergeant Cyril George Kent, H.N. Z.A.1 , ., of Housouvlllc. Military Modal. Caplain Kenneth Allan Bailey, of Eastbourne. Lieutenant William John Gorrie, of Dargaville. Second-Lieutenant Thomas Gerald Fowler, of New Plymouth. Staff-Sergeant Joseph Leonard Nicholas, of Nelson. Sergeant Nathaniel Gordon, of Patutuhi, Glsborne. Sergeant Harry Richard Drinkwatcr, of Pal'mcrslon North. Corporal Allan Itiddcll Heilley, of I'utorlno, Hawke's Bay. • Corporal Herljort I'.'ullic, of Wangautil. Lance-Corporal Leslie George Schultz, of Auckland. Lance-Corporal llaymoni] Cyril Wcllman, of Wangamil JCast.-Lanco-Corporal Lionel Atliol Warr, of Wellington. Trooper Kenneth Hoy Kicpcr, of Hastings. Troopet Tliomas Bruce Dobson, of Blenheim. Troopor Loslio Atliol Willcox, of Wanganui. Ounnor Georgo Hoiiald Dobsou, of Wellington. Signalman Douglas Charles Mundy, of Palmcrston North.

l'rlviito Augustus Victor Leo, of Hastings. Distinguished Flying Medal. ri.viiitc Ofllecr Koland Charles Coi'll N"uirn, of Up|)or 11(1(1. Warrant Oflti'cr Itobort Tahana David Doak, of Cliristchurcli. Air Force Medal. Flying Officer Allan Arthur Hoddor, of Ohaliea. British Empire Medal. Flying Olllcer Waller Andrew Chandler, of Ohakca.. Sergeant Itnlpli Edward Kile Miller, of Petono. Sorecant Thomas Wilfred 0111, of Wellington. Reserve Officers' Decoration. Commander Harold Stead, of Auckland. Volunteer Officers' Decoration. Commander Frank Edward Taylor, D.S.C., of Wellington. Commander James Andrew Smyth, of Wellington. Lieutenant-Commander l'lillip George Connolly, D.S.C., M.P., of Dunodin. Lieutenant-Commander lialpli Leslie Cross, of Wellington. Efficiency Decoration. Colonel Pliilip Yernpu Graves,_ of ■ JVaverJey.