AIR DECORATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 41, 27 November 1942, Page 5

AIR DECORATIONS

DEEDS AT GENOA, MALTA, DIEPPE FIVE NEW ZEALANDERS. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. Air exploits over Genoa, Malta, and Dieppe are mentioned in citations accompanying decorations awarded to five New Zealanders, official news of which has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington. The recipients are: Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross. Acting - Squadron Leader Robert Duncan Yule, R.A.F. His father is Mr E. Yule, Invercargill. Distinguished Flying Cross. Acting - Squadron Leader Lloyd Julius Joel, R.A.F. No ' next-of-kin given. Acting-Flight Lieutenant Henry Gift Coldbeck, R.N.Z.A.F. His mother is Mrs E. M. Campbell, Christchurch. Flying-Officer George Esmond Jameson, R.N.Z.A.F. His father is Mr A. L. Jameson, Rotherham, North Canterbury. , Distinguished Flying Medal. Flight-'Sergeant Frank Ellison Gatland, R.N.Z.A.F. His wife is Mrs D. M. 'Gatland, Drury. “Acting-Squadron Leader Yule possesses the virtues of untiring" devotion to duty and excellent leadership,” says the citation. He participated in the combined operations at Dieppe and has completed a great number of operational sorties. He Inis destroyed and damaged a number of enemy aircraft in the course of his duties.” The citation with the award to Aet-ing-Squadron Leader Joel says: “Act-ing-Squadron Leader Joel in October flew the leading aircraft in a bomber force attacking enemy positions in daylight. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire he successfully regained his base. The following day, while attacking a landing ground, his aircraft was hit and the observer (seriously wounded. In spite of this handicap, and in the face of many difficulties, he successfully led his formation back to its base, where he landed his damaged aircraft. In his successful completion of a large number of sorties he has always displayed gallantry and demotion to duty of the highest order.” “Acting-Flight Lieutenant Coldbeck performed some outstanding aerial work while he was based on Malta,” says the citation. “He is an extremely resolute and fearless pilot, and has 'displayed great skill in locating enemy convoys. On one occasion he was attacked by tliree enemy fighters while flying at 5000 feet over Palerma, but he located a large enemy tanker which was en route to North Africa.”

The citation with the award to Flying Officer Jameson describes him as a first-class pilot. It adds: “He has always shown great keenness and devotion to duty. In the course of nightflying operations lie has destroyed two enemy aircraft.” “Throughout many operational sorties Flight-Sergeant Gatland has shown a fine example to all associated with him,” says the citation. “Recently he was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Genoa. In spite of heavy cloud over the target and much ground fire, he courageously pressed home the attack from a low level.” ■

Aeting-Flig|ht Lieutenant Coldbeck was born at Christchurch in 1916, and was educated at the West Christchurch District High School. He ’took an early interest in aviation and gained a pilot’s A licence in May 1939. He vol unteered for tlie R.N.Z.A.F. immediately war broke out and commenced training as a pilot in the following year.

Flying Officer Jameson was born at Christchurch in 1921 and was educated at the Waihi School, Winchester, and at Christ’s College, Christchurch. He commenced training early last year and was promoted flying officer in Aug ust, 1942. Flight Sergeant Gatlapd. was born at Onehunga in 1917, and was educated at the Auckland Grammar School. Ho commenced training last year. Squadron-Leader Yule was horn at Invercargill 22 yertrs ago and was educated at, the Southland Boys’ High School and the Tiniaru Boys’ High School. He lias always been interested in flying, and when lie left High School he decided to take' up aviation, as a career. In 1937 he was chosen from New Zealand to enter Cranwell, the R.A.F, training college in England, for an aviation course. He qualified from Cranwell on the outbreak of war and was- drafted to a fighter squadron. He fought with this squadron during the evacuation from Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain up to October. 1940, when lie was shot down and wounded.