INVESTITURE IN CITY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25030, 12 November 1946, Page 6

INVESTITURE IN CITY

NAVAL, ARMY, AND AIR FORCES CIVIC THEATRE CROWDED In the first investiture he has conducted in Christchurch, the GovernorGeneral (Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., K.8.E., D. 5.0., decorated many men whom he commanded in the Middle East. The exploits for which awards were made went back as far as the evacuation of Greece and Crete, and also included clearing of minefields, desert patrols, bringing up reinforcements under fire, attacks oh enemy posts, recovering guns and wounded under fire, stands against tanks, ambulance work, and air attacks in North Africa, and action at CaSsino. Other service covered included fighter sorties over Europe, patrols and attacks on Üboats in the North Atlantic, and battles with the Japanese in the Solomons. Several men were decorated for rescuing wounded commanders or for taking over when superior officers were killed.

The Governor-General and Lady Freyberg entered the crowded Civic Theatre down the centre aisle, and when the official party had reached the stage, Sir Bernard Freyberg read the names of those for whom he had been comnlanded by the King to hold an investiture. Major the Hon. G. N. C. Wigram, M.C., military secretary, read the citations, and each man stepped from the body of the theatre on to the stage, was decorated, and received the congratulations of their Excellencies. The Goxfernor-General was attended by Flight Lieutenant M. J. B. Cole, D.F.C., and Lieutenant D. Lorain, R.N., aides-de-camp, by Captain Ralph Newman, C.8.E., D.S.O. and bar, V.D., Brigadier I. L. Bonifant, D.S.O. and bar, E.D., and Squadron Leader M. Checketts, D. 5.0., D.F.C., honorary aides-de-camp, and Brigadier E. T. l.owllings, C.8.E., honorary aide-de-camp to the King. The band of the Ist Battalion, Canterbury Regiment, played selections, and members of the W.A.A.C. and W.A.A.F. acted as ushers for the large number of official guests from local bodies and other organisations. The gallery was almost completely occupied by secondary school children. The list of recipients was as follows: Bar to the Distinguished Service Order Captain Ralph Newman, C.8.E., D. 5.0., V.D., of Christchurch. Distinguished Service Order and Bar Brigadier lan Lambert Bonifant, E.D.. of St. Albans. Companion of the Distinguished Service Order Colonel Russell David King, C.8.E., of Timaru. Flight Lieutenant George Esmond Jameson, D.F.C., of Rotherham. Military Cross Major Robert William Morris, of Lake Tekapo. Major Peter Wight de Bretherton Morgan, of Opawa. Lieutenant Arthur Francis Bailey, of Christchurch. Lieutenant Sidney Joseph Bartos, of Christchurch. Second-Lieutenant James Michael Hennessy, of Duvauchelle. Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar Flight Lieutenant Peter Francis Locker Hall, of Beckenham. Distinguished Flying Cross Flight Lieutenant George Roland Gould, of Rotherham. Flight Lieutenant Alexander Litchfield Craig, of Christchurch. Flight Lieutenant William Edwin Anderson, of Christchurch Flight Lieutenant Robin Keith Craw, of Pigeon Bay. Flying Officer George Harold Frederick Hutchison, of Woolston. Flying Officer Brian Walker Turnbull, of Taiko R.D., Timaru. Flying Officer Iwikau Te Matauira Te Aika, of Tuahiwi. Air Force Cross Flying Officer Leonard Cecil Sadler, of Fendalton. Albert Medal Stoker (First Class) Donald William Dale, R.N.Z.N., of Timaru. Distinguished Conduct Medal Second-Lieutenant Denis Morton" Bassett, of Amberley. Sergeant John Kingston Lawrence, of St. Albans. Corporal Lewis Nesley Duhlea, of Corporal Henry Kokoro Barrett, of Temuka. Gunner Colin Joseph Winthrop, of Avonside. Conspicuous Gallantry Medal Flying Officer Leslie Bruce Wallace, of Pareora. Military Medal Lieutenant Bernard William Roberts, of Addington. Second-Lieutenant Robert Ernest Buick, of Alford Forest. Warrant-Officer (Cltiss II) Norman Clifford Tasker, of Christchurch. Staff-Sergeant Lester Solvin Bain, of Halswell. Sergeant Hector Hugh McLean, of Beckenham. Sergeant Gordon Granville Beckingham. of Timaru. Sergeant John Percival Bruning, of Westport. Temporary-Sergeant Joseph Forsyth, of Ahaura. , Lance-Corporal Robert Henry Sizeland Harper, of Riccarton. Lance-Corporal Bernard Robert McCarthy, of Riccarton. Sapper William Alfred Gregory, of Kaikoura. * Volunteer Officers’ Decoration Lieutenant-Commander John Neate Allan, of St. Albans. Naval Captain’s Award

Captain Newman’s citation said the ’ award was made “for outstanding skill, determination, and devotion to duty while in charge of prolonged and dangerous minesweeping off the east coast of Italy, between July 19 and August 18, 1944. Mines of all types? were encountered and much of the sweeping was done under enemy fire.” He was warmly applauded as the audience saw his several rows of decorations. Gallantry in Middle East

Prolonged applause accompanied the double award to Brigadier Bonifant The citation to the Distinguished Service Order said: “Lieutenant-Colonel Bonifant commanded his battalion in the assault on the Miteiriya Ridge on the night of October 23-24, 1942, with noteworthy skill and resolution. When his unit was being heavily shelled and mortared during the 36 hours following the capture of the ridge, his cheerful bearins was an inspiration to all ranks. Although wounded in the head with a bomb splinter, he refused to leave his battalion when he heard it would have to carry out another attack. Only after the attack had been successfully completed under his command and he knew that his unit was to be relieved from its forward position was he willing to be evacuated for his own wound to be operated on. His courage throughout was outstanding.” The citation covering the award of a bar to the D.S.O. said: “Colonel Bonifant displayed great skill and personal gallantry as commander of an infantry brigade during the crossings of the rivers Senio. Santerno. Idice. Reno. Po. and Adige in April. 1945. He was a constant and never-failing inspiration to all under his command, and his skill, courage, and resolute determination were a decisive factor in the brilliant operations of his brigade. His personal contact with his forward troops and his quick and able decisions brought about a constant acceleration of our advance and so surprised and disorganised the enemy that they were driven quickly and in disorder from well-prepared and naturally-formid-able defences ” Ambulance Unit Captured Colonel King’s citation referred to his conspicuous ■and devotion to duty with the 4th New Zealand Field Ambulance in Libya in November and December, 1941. He remained with his unit when it was overrun by the enemy, and continued to attend the needs of his patients with cheerfulness and courage. Before British forces freed the unit, Rommel had visited the post. His courage sustained his men and his individual work saved many lives. Fighter Pilot “Great skill and co-operation” in many fighter sorties were praised in the citation of Flight Lieutenant Jame-

son. In July. 1944. he destroyed four enemy aircraft in one sortie. His devotion to duty was unfailing.

Enemy Aircraft Destroyed _The an d bar were awarded to Flight Lieutenant Hall for the highest standard of skill and gallantry in many air sorties, and. with a companion, destroying eight enemy aircraft.

Rare Award award of the Albert Medal to Stoker Dale recalled a bad explosion on the Achilles while she was in dry dock on June 22. 1943. All anti-smoke apparatus was in use. the citation said, so Stoker Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and nose and went down into a smoke-filled compartment to help four workmen out. After a short spell he went below to the compartment where the explosion had occurred. and with one helper, rescued two dockyard workers, finally hauling them through the manhole with ropes He had to grope through smoke and debris, and found that the ladder had broken off at the bottom. Hearing the cries of those below, he jumped and fortunately found the decking firm. “Although unaware of the full damage which had been caused to the ship, Stoker Dale well knew that he was facing the gravest danger.” the citation concluded. •„ _ Aircraft on Fire The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was awarded to Flying Officer Wallace operation in December. 1942, when he was wireless operator on an aircraft attacking During an attack on the airwas killed and Flying Officer Wallace was wounded in a leg Flares caught alight and flames , spread. Disregarding danger, he jettisoned the burning material through the' rear turret, and afterwards showed ?- J' h !? P ost signalling and obtaining fixes for the course horn®.