DECORATED FOR GALLANTRY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 2

DECORATED FOR GALLANTRY

FIVE MEMBERS OF 2 nd N.Z.E.F.

AWARD TO CHRISTCHURCH OFFICER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 13. The following immediate awards to five members of the’ 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force were announced to-night;— Distinguished Service Order Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Mitchell. His wife is Mrs L. S. Mitchell, of Wellington. Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. R. Sprosen. His next-of-kin is Mrs A. H. Sprosen, of Hawarden, The relationship is unstated. Lieutenant N. F. Gardiner. His wite is Mrs M. B, Gardiner, of New Plymouth. Military Cross

Captain A. M. Caughley. His father is Mr R. Caughley, of Wellington. Military Medal

Lance-Sergeant D. M. Hatherley. His father is Mr S. H. Hatherley, of Wanganui.

Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell in civil life was a member of the draughting staff of the Public Works Department. Ho enlisted in October, 1939, and left New Zealand in 1940. He is now commanding an anti-tank regiment. Lieutenant Gardiner entered camp in February, 1940, and went overseas early in 1941. His civil occupation was that of a farm appraiser with the Public Works Department. Enlisting in November, 1939, Captain Caughley left New Zealand early in 1940. He was mentioned in dispatches last year and reported wounded in November, 1942 Before his enlistment he was on the staff of the Bank of Australasia.

Lance-Sergeant Hatherley, who is 25. left New Zealand with the Ist Echelon. He was employed by a firm of Wellington solicitors. Citations to the awards are:—

Before the offensive on October 23, Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell returned to his unit after an attack of dysentery obviously unwell, but when the battle opened be was in command. Throughout the entire operation he was hardly absent from the front line whore he was continually assisting in organising anti-tank defence. On one occasion during a tank attack on our forward defended localities, due to casualties among (he crews of nearby anti-tank guns. Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell quickly organised a crew on the spot. He took the layer’s seat and knocked out one tank, damaged another, and caused a third to withdraw. His quick and gallant action undoubtedly saved (he situation which might have become precarious as part of the line was without six-pounder anti-tank defence. Throughout the campaign Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell had been continuously up and down the front line giving advice and assisting whore possible on anti-tank defence. In the circumstances of reorganisation due to casualties and new training because of the issue of new equipment, (Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell faced every contingency with determination, and the personal example set by him, and his devotion to duty, have been an inspiration to all round him.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sprosen Just before the opening of the big desert offensive was placed in command of an artillery regiment. During the preparation stage Lieutenant-Colonel Sprosen handled the difficult tasks assigned to his regiment with great care and success. Although his regimental area was under hostile observation during daylight, he succeeded in deploying the whole regiment under cover of darkness without apparently disclosing the fact to the enemy. Throughout the operations Lieuten-ant-Colonel Sprosen handled his regiment with boldness and speed, and on several occasions he very rapidly put down regimental concentrations against hostile counter-attacks. While visiting one of his observation posts on November 3 he saw a battery of 88-millimetre guns engaging our armour. In spite of the fact that his observation post at that time was under shellfire, he ran to his wireless set and called for a regimental concentration. His presence at the observation post enabled him to correct the fire and he eventually succeeded in neutralising the enemy battery, His leadership throughout the campaign has been characterised by boldness and determination. His conduct, often in the face of difficult situations, has been an inspiration to those under his command.

FIRST TEACHER TO VOLUNTEER

CAREER OF MEET.-COLONEL SPROSEN Tiie first teacher in the employ of the Canterbury Education Board to volunteer for overseas service, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Sprosen enlisted in October, 1939. and left New Zealand with the "dvance party of the Ist Echelon

as a lieutenant. Soon after his arrival in the Middle East he was promoted to the rank of captain and he has since seen service in every theatre of the Middle East campaign. He served as a major in the fighting in Greece, and was wounded when the New Zealand forces were evacuate' to Crete.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sproscn, who is 115, has been associated with the Army since boyhood. He was born at New Brighton, and was educated at the Aranui School and the Christchurch Boys’ High School. After a period at the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College lie taught at the Hawarden School for two years, and relieved at other schools. He was later appointed an assistant master at the Elmwood School. Before the war he served continuously in the territorial forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sproson’s parents, Mr and Mrs J. D. Sprosen, now live at "Horsley Down," Hawarden. His brother, Bombardier A. H. Sprosen, is serving in the Pacific area.