BRILLIANT RECORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 45, 22 February 1940, Page 7

BRILLIANT RECORD.

New Decoration For Great War Ace. OTHER FLYERS HONOURED (Received 2 p.m.) LOXDOX, February 21. Wiiig-Coiiitiiander William Ernest Staton is the first Great War pilot to win aji award iu the present conflict. He has gained the Distinguished Service Order. He brought down 28 (ierman aeroplanes, nine ill five days, as a Royal Air Force lieuteiiaut in 1018. when" he was aped 1". and won the Military Cross and the D.F.C. and bar. He now commands a Xorth of England limbing squadron with which he has carried out raids and reconnaissances across the Xorth Sea. Wing-Commander Staton is included in the latest honours list, which covers three awards of tlie D.K.0.. 16 of the D.F.C.. 15 of the D.S.M., and 80 "mentions in dispatches." The awards have been granted in respect of various types of operations, in some cases for conspicuously good work on a number of occasions, says a British official wireless message. Among the operations for which awards have been granted are reconnaissance flights otpt various parts of Germany, including Berlin; raids on Borkum, Brunsbuttel, Heligoland. Willielmshaven and the Schillig Roads; the destruction of enemy aircraft in various engagements; offensive and reconnaissance fiatrols over the Xorth Sea and elsewhere; attacks on submarines: and various acts of individual bravery during actions. I The R.A.F. list of awards includes the | names of a man from Wellington, i Flying-Officer E. .1. Cain, and an AuckI lander, A. V. Hunter. Both were menl tioned in dispatches. I