FOREIGN MEDALS PRESENTED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24441, 15 December 1944, Page 6

FOREIGN MEDALS PRESENTED

GREEK AND RUSSIAN AWARDS CEREMONY AT BURNHAM The service of three New Zealand soldiers in Greece, Crete, and Jugoslavia was recalled yesterday when they received at Burnham military camp the decorations awarded to them by the Greek arid Russian Governments. The presentations were made at a special ceremonial parade of members 'of a reintorcernent draft by the Officer Commanding the Southern Military District (Brigadier E. T. Rowllings). . ■ Second-Lieutenant J. Denvir, D.C.M., of Christchurch, received the Soviet Medal for Valour awarded to him on the recommendation of Russian liaison officers attached to Marshal Broz’s headquarters in Jugoslavia. Captain H. M. Smith, of Dunedin, received the Greek Military Cross awarded for gallant service on' Crete, and Sergeant F. W., Fleming, of Christchurch, received the Greek Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding service in Greece. Before presenting the decorations, Brigadier Rowllings said that the citations to them had not been received in New Zealand from the Allied Governments, and probably would not be received until after the war. Reference to the decorations had been made in cable messages at the time they were awarded. Lieutenant Denvir, who had performed ..feats of leadership and orwhile fighting with the Jugoslav partisans, had had his decora-, tion conferred by the Praesidium of the Supreme Council of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in recognition of distinguished service in the cause of the Allies. Service in Greece Captain Smith and Sergeant Fleming had both been decorated by the Greek Government for their part in the cameaigns in Greece and Crete. Captain mith’s award was for courage, gallantry. arid-self-sacrifice while serving with Greek battalions during the Battle of Crete, ! and Sergeant Fleming’s medal was awarded for outstanding service. , Before' pinning on the decorations, Brigadier Rowllings addressed the parade. He said that all three recipients had enlisted more than four years ago, and had sailed from New Zealand not knowing what theatre of war they were going to. but prepared to meet the enemy on .any ground. "The battles that followed made the fighting reputation of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., which is known, 4broughout the Allied Nations,” said:-Brigadier Rowllings. “The 2nd N.Z.E.F. is known not only for many brilliant actions in the eastern theatre, but also for less spectacular but very necessary ■ duty in holding a chain of Pacific islands, which prevented the southward drive of the Japanese hordes. “You will notice that I make no distinction between the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of the, 2nd N.Z.E.F.,” added Brigadier Rowllings. “There is only one 2nd N.Z.E.F., but for purely fighting and administration purposes its command has been divided. But there is only one expeditionary force from this country, and it is all doing part of the same job.” N.Z. Military History Brigadier Rowllings said that the three recipients of decorations had assisted in establishing the reputation of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. They had contributed their part to the military history of New Zealand, of which every New Zealander was justly proud. All three had been in action, and they had shown in action courage and leadership which could be claimed to be beyond the call of duty. Captain Smith was still serving as an instructor at Burnham, and Lieutenant Denvir and Sergeant Fleming had been discharged. Their first parade was held at Burnham. and it was fitting that this parade, possibly their last, should also bs held at Burnham. After the ceremony, which was attended by relatives of the recipients. Brigadier Rowllings took the salute at the march past