V.C. PARTY FOR LONDON

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 14

V.C. PARTY FOR LONDON

Welcome By N.Z. Group At Singapore (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SINGAPORE. June 2. New Zealand’s aircraft carrying winners of the Victoria Cross on their way to London for the centenary celebrations of the decoration, arrived in Singapore today. Eleven . winners of the Victoria Cross, their wives, and relatives of posthumous Victoria Cross winners made up the party of 23 who are travelling in a Royal New Zealand Air Force Hastings transport aircraft.

A Royal Air Force doctor and nurse met the plane to attend to one of the party, Mr Jack Grant. V.C., of Auckland. Friends of Mr Grant said he complained of the strain of the trip and was not feeling very well Mr Grant was resting late today in the Royal Air Force Hospital here. Singapore’s New Zealand community met the plane on arrival and the New Zealand Commissioner, Mr Foss Shanahan, welcomed the passengers.

Officers of the Royal Air Force made their cars available for the party during their two-day stay in Singapore Reporters on the airfield gathered round Captain Charles Upham, who won the Victoria Cross twice in World War 11. The modest New Zealander, when asked about his exploits, replied: “Well, it was a long time ago now. I’ve forgotten.