CHEVALIER OF HONOUR

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28153, 17 December 1956, Page 7

CHEVALIER OF HONOUR

FRENCH AWARD TO N.Z. MAN SERVICE IN TWO WORLD WARS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. December 16 A New Zealander. Mr Geoffrey Gotz. has been appointed a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour for service with the French Army in the two World Wars, including the French Underground in the last war. • Mr Gotz is a son of Mrs V. d Azire Simith. of Green Lane, and a brother of Mr F L. Gotz. M.P. for Otahuhu He is a director of the Vacuum Oil Company, and lives in Paris. Born in Tauranga, Mr Gotz was educated at King’s College. Wanganui College, and Canterbury University College. He was well known in Canterbury as a tennis player and cricketer At the age of 18. he left New Zealand and joined the French Army in the First World War serving on the Western Front and at Salonika and rising to the rank, of captain. He remained in France between the wars, and on the outbreak of hostilities in 1939. again joined the French Army He was its liaison officer with the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, and was evacuated at Dunkirk At the request of the French, he returned to France ano joined the underground forces finally leading the Free French into Metz At the end of the war. he held the rank of colonel Mr Gotz is married to the Comtesse de Gramedo. In Paris he represented New Zealand on the Davis Cup Committee. As well as playing tennis he has been prominent in French golf circles, and was three times runner-up in the French amateur championship