INVESTITURE AT GREYMOUTH

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25955, 8 November 1949, Page 6

INVESTITURE AT GREYMOUTH

Civil and Military Awards TWENTY-NINE RECIPIENTS From .Out Own. Reporter GREYMOUTH, Nov. 7. The Regent Theatre, Greymouth, was well filled this afternoon when 29 recipients were presented with civil and military awards by the GovernorGeneral (Sir Bernard Freyberg). The Governor-General was accompanied b'r Lady Freyberg and his aides-de-camp. After the investiture, recipients and their friends and relatives were entertained at an informal afternoon tea in Harker’s Lounge. This evening his Excellency attended a meeting of the Masonic Lodge, and Lady Freyberg met representatives of Greymouth women’s organisations. The awards were as follows:

CIVIL Member of British Empire Mr Albert Elcock, of Hokitika. Miss Elsie Julius, now of Wellington. Mr Frederick Kitchingham, of Greymouth. Mrs Christine McKane, of Cobden. Mr John Robertson, Mayor of Westport. Mr Edward Rose, of Kumara. MILITARY Distinguished Service .Order Colonel Denver Fountaine, of Westport. Member of British Empire Squadron Leader Owen Evans, of Westport. Flying Officer Cyril Hector, of Runanga. Military Cross Lieutenant Donald Brown, of Denniston. Colonel Denver Fountaine, of Westport. Distinguished Flying Cross Flying Officer Beryck Dalcofn, of Greymouth. Flight Lieutenant John Houlton, of Boddytown. Flying Officer Robert Kennedy, of Christchurch. Flight Lieutenant Joseph Morel, of Napier. Flying Officer Raoul Wisher, of Stockton. Distinguished Conduct Medal Sergeant Stanley Schroder, of Koiterangi. George Medal Corporal Frederick Herring, of Westport. Military Medal Private Harold Aoerpart, of Nelson. Staff-Sergeant Mervyn Curtis, of Greymouth. Private Cecil Mathieson, of Reefton. Trooper Nelson Perkins, of Westport. Corporal James Savage, of Ahaura. British Empire Medal Corporal Joseph Boland, of Murchison. Corporal Charles of Greymouth. Staff-Sergeant George Weenink. of Greymouth. Efficiency Decoration Major Bernard Mathewson, of Westport. Major John Watson, of Westport. THE CITATIONS The following are extracts from official citations accompanying the military awards:— Colonel Denver Fountaine, D. 5.0., M.C. Colonel Fountaine was awarded the D.S.O. “for his great skill and gallantry when commanding the 20th Battalion of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in the night attack on an enemy position near the Mareth Line on March 21 and 22, 1943. With only a limited amount of artillery support, Colonel Fountaine’s battalion penetrated the enemy position, which was well organised and protected by mines, anti-tank ditches,

and wire, to a depth of more than 2000 yards, capturing the objective and taking several hundred prisoners.” He was awarded the Military Cross “for his outstanding qualities of leadership and courage when commanding a company in November, 1941. On one occasion he extricated it with small loss from a desperate situation when attacked by seven enemy tanks on the Bardia road. In operations at Bir Cleta and in the night attack on Bel Hamed he his company with dash and spirit. He also did outstanding work in the attack on Maleme, in Crete, on May 22, 1941.”

Officer Robert Kennedy, D.F.C. The award was made “for coolness and courage in the face of the enemy, especially during a daylight attack against an airfield at Essen-Mulheim in December. 1944, when an enemy shell detonated several oxygen bottles in His aircraft. The blast tore a hole in the fuselage, destroyed all navigational equipmei t and charts and the intercommunication system. The windscreen was shattered by the explosion making the interior of the bomber intensely cold. Although severely shaken. Flying Officer Kennedy gave great assistance to his captain and rendered first aid to the injured members of the crew. His courage, efficiency. and cheerfulness throughout the incident contributed largely to the safe return of the badly damaged bomber.” Flying Officer Raoul Wisker, D.F.C Fjr his courage and skilful airmanship as captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a flying bomb site near Linzehx on July 9, 1944. On lhe bombing run the aircraft was repeatedly hit

by anti-aircraft fire, one shell bursting immediately beneath the starboard wing, and causing the aircraft to go into a violent spiral dive. This officer managed to regain control and, in spite of severe damage to the aircraft, made a second bombing run and executed a successful attack. He later discovered that the aircraft sustained 205 holes. He proved himself to be a keen and conscientious pilot.” Corporal Frederick Herring, G.M. The George Medal was awarded to Corporal Herring for his self-sacrifice, courage, and gallantry on the night of January 10. 1945. Corpora] Herring was preparing to send 36 grenades out to outposts when one fell on the floor. The impact caused the safety pin to fall out, releasing the handle and striker. “Corporal Herring immediately appreciated the danger to the other personnel in the small room, and, without hesitation, picked up the grenade and attempted to get it through the doorway. Unfortunately it exploded just as he opened the door, end Corporal Herring suffered extremely severe injuries, necessitating the amputation of his right hand and right leg. By his brave action he saved his comrades from serious injury, if not death.”

Sergeant Stanley Schroder, D.C.M. Sergeant Schroder received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his great gallantry and devotion to duty during the battle of Crete. “On one occasion when detailed as a regimental aid post orderly, at a time when his company was suffering heavy casualties. he moved fearlessly through streets which were continuously strafed and mortared, bringing wounded back and improvising rough but effective bandages. On the night of May 25.- 1941, when his company counter-attacked at Galatos, he was wounded painfully in the knee, but even though unable to walk, he continued to crawl among the many casualties in the Galatos Square, dressing wounded and dragging them into the gutter and comparative safety. He also crossed open ground held by the enemy and under fire guided other troops across. , He went out to destroy containers of enemy weapons and equipment. His deeds and f artessness were an example to al] his comrades. ’