AWARD OF D.F.C.

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23748, 21 September 1942, Page 6

AWARD OF D.F.C.

WELLINGTON AIRMAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Flight Lieutenant Henry Neil Blundell, R.N.Z.A.F.. of Wellington. When the award was made, Flight Lieutenant Blundell was serving in the Middle East, and was engaged on hi? second operational tour. In his first operational tour, carried out in the United Kingdom, Flight Lieutenant Blundell took part in more than 30 operations over the Continent. His Continental flights included participation in some of the epic raids of the war, such as the raids on targets at Kiel Cologne, and Hamburg. These targets were all heavily defended. He also saw much action in sorties over both Germany and France. Born in Wellington in May. 1911, Flight Lieutenant Blundell was educated at the Terrace School, Wellington, and Christ’s College. Christchurch, and he studied journalism at Victoria University College. He was employed as a member of the “Evening Post” staff, Wellington, from 1926 to 1939. In August, 1939, he became a member of the Wellington Territorial Squadron of the New Zealand Air Force, and was mobilised with that unit at the outbreak of war in the following month. Serving for a short period as an armourer, he commenced his air crew training as an air observer with the R.N.Z.A.F. in January, 1940. He was commissioned in the rank of pilot officer in May. and he left for service with the Royal Air Force during the following month. Making rapid nrogress overseas, he was promoted to flying officer in the following year, and to flight lieutenant in May of this year.