GREEK AWARDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 168, 18 July 1941, Page 8

GREEK AWARDS

FOR N.Z. SOLDIERS

AUCKLANDERS' BIG DAY

(From the Official War Correspondent uith the 2nd N.Z.E.F.) CAIRO. June 24. It was a red letter day for a platoon in an Auckland battalion recently when King George of Greece manifested his appreciation of services rendered to him by that platoon in Crete. Before the whole battalion, drawn up in mass formation. King George decorated the platoon commander. Second-Licuten-ant \V. H. Ryan, and the 24 members of his platoon, who acted as bodyguard to His Majesty during the evacuation of Crete.

The awards were as follows:— Cross of George the First of Greece with swords. Second-Lieutenant \V. H. Ryan: Gold Meoal of George the First with swords. Sergeant L. V. Smith and Sergeant J. F. Seymour: Silver Medal of George the First with swords, Corporal \V. J. Pritt, Corporal N. C. Dunn, Corporal G. Fraser, Lance-Corporal \V. A. Smith; Silver Medal of George the First with swords, Lance-Corporal A. Holgerson; Privates V. R. Ball. C. Hunt, It. Ward. H. Ward, T. G. H. Howell, L. A. Ren wick. F. W. Hislop, \V. A. Pettit, J. O. Bishop. 11. Fulcher, T. A. Manson, M. Vincent. I. A. Sanders, H. P. Sanders, W. C. Saxon. L. J. Franklin and A. M. Meredith.

The story has already been told of how Mr. Ryan's platoon was detailed to act as bodyguard for the Greek Royal party, during their evacuation from Crete. The task was no easy one and it involved an arduous climb to the highest point of the White Mountains over a lengthy period without food. While above the snowline the party came across a shepherd and thev were refreshed with ewes' milk and fed on boiled mutton. The New Zealandcrs carried out their duties efficiently and successfully and King George has lost no time in showing his gratitude.

When he arrived at the New Zealand camp lor the ceremonv King George was accompanied bv' Crown Prince Paul, Prince George and Prince Peter and Princesses FredV,T a - Catherine and Marie. Colonel J..»iunt, who was in charge of the arrangements for escorting King Geoi ge from Crete, was also present. Major-General T3. C. Frcvberg VC also attended the ceremony. ' ' " King George was accorded a Roval Salute as he arrived, the X.Z.E F Band playing the Greek National Anthem After inspecting the battalion he decorated in turn each member of the platoon which had acted as his bodyguard. Cheers were given for His Majestv and the ceremony concluded with a short address in which King George expressed his pleasure at seeing the platoon assembled together again He also expressed the hope that the futuie efforts of the soldiers present would meet, with success.