SECOND-LIEUTENANT R. KING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23414, 22 August 1941, Page 5

SECOND-LIEUTENANT R. KING

“ MOST BRILLIANT AND BRAVE OFFICER”

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, August 21. "He was a most brilliant and brave officer and has been recommended for a decoration for outstanding courage, leadership, and initiative, He commanded a platoon through Greece and Crete until wounded. By his outstanding leadership and courage he quickly won the love of his men and they would follow him anywhere.” This, tribute is paid by his senior officer to Second-Lieutenant Rex King, Christchurch, who was captain of the New Zealand Rugby League team in England in 1939, and was recently reported a prisoner of war.

In a letter to Second-Lieutenant King’s wife, the officer states that Sec-ond-Lieutenant King led one of two companies in a counter-attack on the village of Galatos, Crete, aijd at the moment of success Second-Lieutenant King, with all the officers of his company, was wounded. “His wounds consisted of a bullet through the legs. No bones were touched, and I was able to get him out, bandaged, and sent back to an advanced dressing station, where he passed out of my control. Unfortunately, the dressing station, together with some doctors, fell into enemy hands. “Let it be'a consolation that SecondLieutenant King did more than his duty. By his fearlessness (he did not know the word fear), bravery, initiative, and leadership he saved us many casualties and endeared himself to us all. Not only have we lest a very valuable officer, but I personally have lost a valuable friend."