AWARDS FOR BRAVERY

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24149, 7 January 1944, Page 4

AWARDS FOR BRAVERY

N.Z.E.F. in Pacific

TWO CHRISTCHURCH MEN

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 6. . The Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) has announced that the King has approved of the following immediate operational awards to personnel of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations on the Treasury Islands in the south Pacific area;—

Bar to Distinguished Service Order Brigadier Robert Amos Row, D.S.O, (Christchurch). Military Cross

Second-Lieutenant Leslie Thomas George Booth (wife, Mrs A. Booth, Christchurch). Distinguished Conduct Medal

Sergeant William Albert Cowan (wife,

Mrs L. B. Cowan (Taumarunui) Military Medal

Sapper Jack Keith Duncan (wife, Mrs

M. Duncan, Auckland). Private Joseph Edward Smith (wife,

Mrs E. M. Smith, Waiheke, Auck-

land). Corporal Frederick Arthur Armstrong (tdfe, Mrs L. Armstrong, Napier). Private Edward Valentine Owen

(wife, Mrs M. A. Owen, Tauranga) The citations are as follows;

Brigadier Row

Brigadier Row was in charge of operations which resulted in the • capture and occupation of the Treasury Islands. The landing force comprised numerous technical troops, in addition to the normal brigade group, and the smooth landing of successive transport echelons and the general development of the whole operation was eloquent proof

BRIGADIER R. A. ROW of the thorough and careful way in which Brigadier Row had conceived and planned the expedition. In operations ashore, he displayed similar skill and aggressive, courageous leadership. His personal appearance at each threatened point of his defences did much to inspire his officers and men with confidence in the general direction of operations and contributed in a large measure to their success. Second-Lieutenant Booth On October 27, Lieutenant Booth took part in an assault on Japanese headquarters. At this time the beach and landing ships were being subjected to very heavy and accurate mortar fire from a high ridge west of the Savcke river. Casualties were being suffered by the unloading parties and unloading operations were in clanger of being disorganised. Lieutenant Booth was ordered to attack and capture the mortar position. Only a general indication of the direction from which the fire was coming could be given. Lieutenant Booth led his platoon up a very steep ridge in the face of heavy machinegun fire and rifle fire. Although the enemy was in considerable force on this ridge, Lieutenant Booth succeeded in driving the enemy from it, and captured two 75-millimetre howitzers, which had also been shelling the beaches. The barrels of both guns were hot when taken. Realising that the enemy still had a mortar in operation higher up on the ridge. Lieutenant Booth left one section to hold the gun position and pushed on up the ridge. After an advance up a very steep ridge the platoon encountered a strong position surrounding the mortar. In spite of being outnumbered, his force made a determined attack on the enemy with tommy-guns and grenades, and the position was captured. The enemy fled, leaving 10 dead round the position. With the mortar was approximately 500 rounds of mortar ammunition and a large quantity of grenades and small arms ammunition. One light machinegun was also captured. Lieutenant Booth destroyed the mortar and howitzers and withdrew. His platoon suffered seven casualties wounded. In this action Lieutenant Booth showed himself to be an officer of outstanding courage and initiative, and the successful termination of the unloading of the landing craft was due in no small measure to his action. Sergeant Cowan

The award of the D.C.M. was made to Sergeant Cowan for distinguished conduct before and during operations in the Solomons area. He was selected to command two patrols to the Treasury Islands before the landing on October 27. The first patrol was sent in to obtain information as to the strength of the enemy and his disposition. The object of the second patrol was to cut the main telephone line between an enemy observation point on Laifa Point and the Japanese headquarters, and to pass information on as to enemy movements after -the landing had been effected. The first patrol was carried through most successfully under difficult conditions, and resulted in much valuable information being obtained. The second patrol successfully cut the telephone line at 4 a.m.on October 27, and thus delayed information of the approach of the assaulting troops reaching the enemy. During the next five days the patrol was continuously active behind the enemy lines, and much information was obtained. Throughout, Sergeant Cowan showed resource and determination of a high order, and his personal example and coolness in the face of considerable danger were largely responsible for the successful achievement of the missions. Sapper Duncan

The award to Sapper Duncan was for bravery in the field during the landing on October 27. The beaches were subjected to very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hours after the initial landing had been made. This resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to ships that were unloading. Sapper Duncan, during the whole of this time, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, continued to operate his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity of the beaches in constructing tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores, and equipment. His fine example was a very steadying influence on the unloading and carrying parties. Private Smith The award to Private Smith was for gallant conduct during a determined enemy attack on Soanotalu on November 2. He was with a party of 10, including one officer and one staffsergeant. who defended the small beach of Soanotalu. The defenders ■ were considerably outnumbered. When the officer and staff-sergeant had been mortally wounded and the situation was at. its worst. Private Smith took command and by resolute action and calmness kept the defence intact. Finally, after five hours’ fighting, the defenders completely annihilated that portion of the enemy forcq which had penetrated to the beach. Corporal Armstrong

On November 5, Corporal Armstrong, as a member of a fighting patrol from his battalion, was acting as point scout

with Sergeant Ilala, a native guide, when the Japanese fired at Ilala, whose rifle jammed when he tried to return the fire. Corporal Armstrong ran towards the Japanese and shot him at close quarters. The Japanese was not killed and fell down a cliff. When they followed him a strong Japanese party armed with a light machine-gun, rifles, and grenades was discovered in a series of caves on the seashore. In the ensuing action, in which 10 Japanese were killed and one captured. Corporal Armstrong displayed absolute disregard of personal' safety and by courage and leadership inspired his section. One of the enemy was hidden in a cave, from where he was able to shoot and kill Sergeant Bair. Fire could not be brought to bear on him, and when grenades were thrown into the cave he scooped them out, Corporal Armstrong then took two grenades, and crawling down the cliff to a ledge above the cave he pulled the pin from a grenade, held it for three seconds, and then tossed it into the cave. He repeated this with the second grenade, and then jumped into the cave to find the Japanese dead. Had it not been for Corporal Armstrong’s action the casualties suffered by the patrol would in all probability have been heavier. Private Owen

Private Owen's award was for bravery in the field during and after the landing on the Treasury Islands. Private Owen, who is a man of 40, showed outstanding diligence in attention to duty during the Treasury Islands campaign. He landed with the assaulting companies and immediately carried out a daring reconnaissance. As a result of this he led a fighting patrol against a strongly-held enemy post. During the attack on the post with total disregard for his own personal safety, he advanced and threw a grenade into the post, which enabled the rest of the patrol to close in. He has since been most active on patrols into enemy territory. the results of which have on several occasions enabled his battalion to effect adjustments to the line. His devotion to duty and example have been an inspiration to all ranks.

MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 6. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) has been advised by the Admiralty that the King has approved of the following New Year mention in dispatches:' Temporary - Lieutenant Thomas Keith Murdoch Markwick, R.N.Z.N.V.R. (mother, Mrs M. Markwick, Auckland). Lieutenant Markwick joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as an ordinary seaman under scheme B in December, 1940, and was commissioned In December, 1941.