FLYING AWARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 7

FLYING AWARDS.

SERVICE WITH R.A.F. Two New Zealand Pilots Decorated. OFFICER AND CORPORAL. United Press Association.—Copyright. fKeeeived 11 a.m.) LONDON. February 20. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to Squadron-Leader Andrew McKee, who was born at Oxford, New Zealand, and the Distinguished Flying Medal to Corporal Colin B. G. Knight, who was born at Tolaga Bay. Squadron-Leader Andrew McKee, ie the only son of Mr. and Mrs. S. ll.'McKee, of Oxford, says a Press Association message from Ohristchurch. Born at Oxford, 39 years ago, Squad-ron-Leader McKee was educated at the Christchurch Boys' High School. He took up farming for a time and when 2~> years old underwent a training course at Wigram for a few month*. He then left to join the R.A.F. and after a term there was transferred to Egypt. From there he went to India, later returning to England. Squadron-Leader McKee was incharye of a bombing squadron and his family last heard from him three w?cks ago when 'he reported all was well, "with some exciting moment*." SquadronLeader McKee is married and has one daughter. Corporal Knight is a son of Mrs. K. F.. Knight, Otago Street, Picton, and i* 27 years of age. He was formerly a corporal in the Nelson-Mariborouph Mounted Rifle*, transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937. Previously he was employed with the Post and Telegraph Department at Scddon. In February, 1039, Corporal Knight was sent to the United Kingdom as a wireless operator for service with the Vickers Wellington bombers which were to have been flown to New Zealand. Then, together with other personnel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who were in Britain, he was made available to the Air Ministry for employment with the Royal Air Force, with which some hundreds of New Zealanders were already serving.