Decorations given to museum

Press, 24 July 1984, Page 12

Decorations given to museum

Military decorations awarded to a young Christchurch airman, Flight Lieutenant Frank Nuttall, in World War I, have been given to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum at Wigram. Holding them is Mrs Annie Nuttall, who gave the medals, and sister-in-law of the late Captain Nuttall. At right is Mr Stan Claridge, Mrs Nuttall’s nephew, who holds a photograph of Captain Nuttall’s fellow squadron members.

At left are Mr Jack Nuttall, Mrs Nuttall’s son, and Squadron Leader J. K. Barry, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Captain Nuttall, who was born in New Zealand, earned his decorations in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) with the Royal Flying Corps. He was awarded the Military Cross after he rescued a downed fellow pilot while under fire from the Turks. He was also among the

earliest recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Cross. The London Gazette which listed his award of the D.F.C. said it was for “carrying out the most ardous duties in action and commanding his flight with great skill under exceptionally difficult conditions.” According to official accounts he and a crewman crash-landed safely in Iraq at night when their aircraft caught fire during a bomb-

ing attack. They then evaded capture and returned to British lines by flying at night, setting a course by the stars. On another mission, Captain Nuttall was wounded while attacking enemy troops from a low altitude. For such distinguished services he was awarded the A.F.C. in 1919. A year later, Captain Nuttall, aged 32, was killed in action in Persia, but the

decorations were not passed on to his family until the late 19205, when they were brought to New Zealand by his friend and flying instructor, Sir Charles Kings-ford-Smith, in the Southern Cross. Sir Charles, who also made the first flight between Britain and Australian in the Southern Cross, presented to them Captain Nuttall’s father. They were later entrusted to Mrs Annie Nuttall.