SAVED REST OF CREW

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 224, 22 September 1941, Page 8

SAVED REST OF CREW

AUCKLAND AIRMAN'S ACTION In a letter to Mrs. H. Evans, of Calliope Road, Devonport, confirming the death of Sergeant-Gunner Bernard George Evans on air operations, Wing-Commander T. O. Freeman writes: "There is no question of doubt that the rest of the crew owe their lives to the magnificent way in which your son stuck to his guns and beat off the repeated attacks of the enemy." Sergeant Evans' aircraft was flying over England on the way to its base after attacking a target in enemy territory, when it was attacked from astern by an enemy fighter. Sergeant Evans immediately returned the fire and succeeded in beating off the first three attacks, but on the fourth attack an unlucky bullet from the enemy fatally injured him. "Although your son was a comparatively new member of the squadron he was already very popular, and we will miss him greatly. He died gloriously in the service of the Empire, maintaining to the end the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force." Sergeant Evans was born in England and came to New Zealand in his infancy. He was a member of the Takapuna Rugby Football Club and later of the North Shore Rugby League Club. He was also an outstanding cyclist and long-distance runner. Wing-Commander Freeman is a New Zealander, and formerly lived in Dunedin.