GALLANT DEEDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 85, 21 January 1942, Page 5

GALLANT DEEDS.

DECORATIONS PRESENTED. NEW ZEALANDERS IN HOSPITAL

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service). CAIRO, January 19

Six decorations for gallantry in the field were presented to-day by MajorGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg to patients in New Zealand general hospitals—four immediate awards in the Libyan campaign and two won by men of the special desert group. Decorations were: —

Military Cross. —Lieutenant A. C. Yeoman, Taneatua. D.C.M. —Corporal R. J. Moore, Tailiape. Military Medal —Sergeant I. H. MeInnes, Whangarei; Gunner R. Wixon, Colac Bay, Southland; Private A. V. Lee, Wellington; Bombardier T. M. Hutchison, Napier. A group of senior officers, sisters, and patients watched Major-General Freyberg pin the ribbons on Bombardier Hutchinson and Corporal Moore as they sat in wheel chairs on a sunny balcony at the First General Hospital. The others received their decorations in a ward at the Third General Hospital. The only man able to stand to receive his award was Sergeant Mclnnes.

The courage and cheerfulness of all was an inspiration to those who watched them chatting freely with Major-General Freyberk and his staff. One man, who will never have the full use of his legs again, smiled broadly as he was congratulated by the official party. Each was thanked for the division, by Major-General Freyberg, who stopped several minutes at each bedside inquiring about their recovery and their part in the campaign.

Unlike the Libyan awards no citations were read on the decorations of Corporal Moore and Sergeant Mclnnes because of the secrecy of the work. Major-General Freyberg explained that their heroic deeds were not mentioned. “Whn the history of this group is written,” he said, “their work will rank as high as that of any regiment. They were hand-picked men whose operations were outside the limelight.”