HONOURS FOR N.Z. SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26943, 20 January 1953, Page 6

HONOURS FOR N.Z. SOLDIERS

Service In Korea Recognised BRIGADIER PARK GIVEN C.B. (New Zealand Preu Association) WELLINGTON, January 19. His Excellency the Governor-General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) has announced that Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to approve the following awards to personnel of the New Zealand Emergency Force in Korea:— Companion of the Order of the Bath (C. 8. Brigadier Ronald Stewart Park, C.8.E., commander of the New Zealand Emergency Force. Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.8.E.) Captain Jack Mahoney Wilson, 16th Field Regiment, Light Aid Detachment, R.N.Z.E.M.E. a Major George Solomon. 16th Field Regfinent, R.N.Z.A. Second Lieutenant Richard Marchant Burrows, R.N.Z.C.S. Military Medal Bombardier Louis John Maioni Gordon, 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Mention in Dispatches Captain Cecil John Moloughney, 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Lieutenant (temporary captain) Thomas Alfred Noef Vine, 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Warrant Officer I John Dickinson, 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Warrant Officer I Evan Charles Cummer, Headquarters, New Zealand Emergency Force. Sergeant Robert Wallace, R.N.Z.C.S., Ist Commonwealth Divisional Signal Regiment. Sergeant Reginald Thomas Benyon, R.N.Z.A.M.C., 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Bombardier John Hunter Beange, 16th Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A. Sergeant R. A. Struthers, Ist Commonwealth Divisional Signals Regiment. Lance-Corporal I. L. Hawkes, 10th Transport Company, R.N.Z.A.S.C. CITATIONS TO AWARDS Brigadier R. S. Park was appointed to command the Northern Military District in 1947, and retired in February, 1950. He was recalled when K Force was formed, and took adminis-

trativa command of the force. He has since served in that capacity. The citation to his award of the c.B. says he has been untiring in his efforts to ensure that the force was raised, to and maintained at a high standard, and that it Is largely because of his efforts that this standard has been achieved. Major George Solomon, who was born at Levuka, Fiji, has served continuously in K Force since it was formed. From May, 1951. to June, 1952, he was battery commander, and then became second in command of the regiment, an appointment he held till his return to New Zealand last December. The citation to his award says it was to a considerable extent through his skilful handling of the artillery that attacks on the front were broken up, with heavy casualties to the enemy. “Major Solomon never spared himself, whether he was directing artillery or visiting his forward observation officers under shell fire or mortar fire,” says the citation. "His coolness and courage under fire were a magnificent example to many on countless occasions.”

Captain J. M. Wilson joined K Force at its inception, and has been in command of the 16th Field Regiment’s Light Aid Detachment since August, 1950. He has been responsible for maintaining the regiment’s vehicles, guns, and equipment, a task which he has accomplished in a most efficient manner. The rugged terrain, poor roads and severe climatic conditions of Korea, together with the long mileages covered oy the regiment, took heavy toll of the Vehicles, but the regiment was able to remain operational. This resulted mainly from Captain Wilson’s devotion to duty, skill, initiative in obtaining spare parts, and working long hours, often under extremely adverse conditions, tri recover and repair vehicles.

Second Lieutenant R. M. Burrows has served since January, 1952, as officer commanding the British Commonwealth Forward Maintenance Area Troop; the major portion of which was formed by the New Zealand Signal Troop. In bitter winter weather, says the citation to-his award, he did not spare himself in setting a high standard of devotion to duty, and has been a source of inspiration to all his men, who included British, Australian, and Canadian personnel. “It is no exaggeration to say that his services as a liaison officer for the New Zealand forces were quite outstanding, and in his work and unfailing leadership has set an example equal to the best,’’ the citation says. Bombardier L. J. Gordon has served as a line signaller in Korea for 18 months. For most of this period he has been an observation post linesman, at times maintaining lines under the most difficult conditions. “The exceptional ability and strong sense of duty of Bombardier Gordon in the maintaining and laying of lines has brought nothing but praise and commendation,’’ says the citation to his award. Captain C. J. Moloughney has served as battery captain of the 161st Battery since November, 1950. From March, 1952, to April. 1952. he temporarily commanded the battery with complete satisfaction and in a manner which called forth favourable comment* from the infantry being supSortea. The citation to his award says e is an unassuming and most conscientious officer. His sense of duty and his ready acceptance of responsibility are far above the ordinary. Captain T. A. N. Vine has held successively the appointments of regimental sergeant-major, quartermaster and adjutant, and in all these posts he has shown an ability, enthusiasm, and application well above average, says the citation to his award. He has proved himself a versatile and able officer, in particular since taking over the appointment of adjutant in April, 1952. He has maintained a high standard of command post efficiency, and the effectiveness of the fire of the regiment in this period has been in good measure a result of his efforts. Warrant Officer I J. Dickinson has served as regimental sergeant-major with the 16th New Zealand Field Regiment since April, 1952. Throughout this period, he has maintained a very high standard of personal efficiency and unstinted devotion to duty. Warrant Officer I E. C. Gammer was appointed chief clerk at Headquarters of the New Zealand K Force when the force was raised in August, 1950. During the initial period of the formation of the force, he was responsible for the organisation and planning of the headquarters office and the training and direction of an untried and inexperienced staff. Sergeant R. Wallace has been the n.c.o. in charge of communications at beadquarters, Royal Artillery, Ist

Commonwealth Division. He joined the regiment in November, 1952. “From the outset,” say, the citation to his award, “he shouldered his responsibilities and met his obligations as n.co. in charge of communications with outstanding success.” Sergeant K. T. Benyon has been a medical orderly with the New Zealand K Force since its inception. From December, 1952, he has been regimental aid post sergeant with the 16th New Zealand Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery. “His devotion to duty has never lapsed, and frequently when he has been called upon to make decisions on his own initiative in matters generally considered beyond his scope, these have been invariably found to be sound,” says the citation to his award. Bombardier J. H. Beange has held the appointment of battery commander’s assistant for flve months. Previously, he had been an observation post radio operator continuously for 10 months. During this time, he displayed outstanding ability, courage, and initiative.

Corporal R. A. Struthers has commanded one of the cable detachments responsible for the divisional trunk telephone network. He and his detachment have produced for tbe last six months outstandingly good results, no matter what type of project they have undertaken. Corporal Struthers’s leadership, thoroughness and determination have been a fine example to his men, and a source of much admiration to those for whom he has worked, says the citation to his award.

Lance-Corporal L L. Hawkes has shown a keen sense of duty, and has worked very long hours under all conditions in order to keep the vehicles of the transport platoon roadworthy, says the citation to his award. His cheerful manner has contributed towards raising the morale of the pla« toon to its present high state.