TRIPLE D.F.C.

NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN A second Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Acting Squadron Leader Roy Oldfield Calvert, R.N.Z.A.F., of Cambridge, states official advice received by Air Department, Wellington; Only one other New Zealand airman holds the triple D.F C award—Group Captain Colin Gray, D.5.0., D.F.C., and two Bars. R.A.F., of 1 Gisborne. The citation giving details of the action which won Squadron Leader Calvert his latest award has not yet been received. His earlier decorations were awarded for courage and tenacity on numerous sorties against enemy targets in Europe. In one attack his aircraft ran into heavy anti-aircraft fire 'and was severely damaged. The wireless operator was killed and both Squadron Leader Calvert and his navigator were ; wounded. The aircraft became difficult to control, but although he had a piece of shell splinter in his left arm Squadron Leader Calvert set course for home and made a skilful crash landing in bad visibility. In the King's Birthday Honours this year Squadron Leader Calvert was mentioned in dispatches in recognition of distinguished service and devotion to duty.

Born at Cambridge in October, 1913 Squadron Leader Calvert received his secondary education at King's College Auckland. When war broke out he was employed at Tirau as a woolclasser. Entering the R.N.Z.A.F in 1940 he trained as a pilot, was commissioned, and left for overseas the following year. His father is Mr G Calvert, 20 Victoria Street, Cambridge.