DARING OF A.S.C. DRIVERS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 195, 15 May 1941, Page 10

DARING OF A.S.C. DRIVERS

Western Desert Deeds

HOW SIX AWARDS WERE WON

N.Z.E.F. Official News Service. CAIRO, April 22.

A magnificent tale of bravery in the face of the enemy that should capture the imagination of everyone at home is hidden behind the awards listed below for men of the Motor Reserve Transport Company ot the New Zealand Army Service Corps. Since tiie bare announcement of the honours earned by these men details have become available which show that their acts rank as outstanding examples of courage and reveal a spirit of daring that would be difficult indeed to better. It is a recognition, too, of the very great admiration in which New Zealand drivers were held in tiie Western Desert offensive.

The Reserve Motor Transport Company were associated with British and Indian formations and earned generous praise for .their very fine work in the carrying of troops and supplies. They never failed to "get through,” in spite of sandstorms and constant bombing. Details of the awards are as follows :—

Lieutenant Alan Lionel Lomas. M.C., of the New .Zealand Medical Corps, attached Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. During operations on December 9 this young New Zealand doctor was attached to ar brigade of an Indian division. At Tummar Westhe attended wounded in the open under heavy artillery and machine-gun lire. He displayed great coolness and courage and continued to do so throughout the operations of that day. On December 10 he worked unceasingly from 1.30 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following day without food or rest, and set a fine example of devotion to duty which was an inspiration to those around him. (Awarded January 15, 1941.) Drove Troops Into Action.

Lieutenant Frederick Henry Muller, M.C., Reserve Motor Transport Company', N.Z.A.S.C. During operations at Tummar West on December 9, 10 and 11, 1940, this officer led his section of 33 lorries containing a battalion of Fusiliers to within 30 yards of the Italian perimeter defences under artillery and machine-gun fire. As lie brought his lorries to a standstill the Fusiliers leapt off and. with light ma-chine-guns blazing from their hips and with bayonets fixed, overwhelmed the enemy. The speedj* success of the operation was in no small part due to the cool courage and leadership displayed by Lieutenant .Muller. (Awarded January 20, 1911.) Driver Norman Jack Britcbard, M. 11. Q., N.Z.A.S.C., attached Reserve Motor Transport Company. During operations at Tummar ' West on December 9, 10 and 1.1, .1940, this soldier worked as a medical orderly for 36 hours, for the greater part of the time under heavy artillery and machine-gun lire. He showed great coolness and tireless energy, setting an example of courage and devotion to duty. (Awarded January 20, 1941.) Driver George William Corp, ALM., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N. On December 9, 1940, at Tummar West, this soldier drove his vehicle containing troops of an Indian division to within thirty yards of the Italian parapet under heavy machinegun tire and rille fire. • The Indians tumbled out of the truck and went into the attack. Driver Corp went to an exposed position and carried a wounded soldier to the cover of his truck. Throughout the operation he displayed conspicuous coolness and courage. (Awarded January 20, 1941.) Let! Indian Attack.

Sergeant Richard Heyward Thomson, D.C.M., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C., attached to an Indian division. This n.e.o. was in charge of the convoy carrying troops of an Indian rifle regiment in the advance to attack Tummar East on December 9, 1940. As the advance proceeded, and an enemy counter-attack developed on tiie flank, with the greatest disregard of danger, he calmly wheeled the convoy and proceeded under a hail of machine-gun fire till ordered to stop. When the troops "debussed” and went into the attack he attached himself to a Bren gun section. Tiie Indians accepted his leadership and followed him into a bold attack against an enemy machine-gun post, which they succeeded in capturing. His example was an inspiration to our Indian allies. (Awarded December 31, 1940.)

Sergeant Peter Gillespie Wilson, M.M., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. This n.e.o. was in charge of a dotaelnnent of motor transport which acted as troop-carriers for an Indian rifle regiment during operations from December 9-12, 1940. In the attack ou Tummar East he displayed complete disregard for danger and imbued everyone with whom he came in contact with a spirit of confident optimism which went far toward making the operations a success. On December 9 he joined in the fighting and, when Tummar East was occupied, he gave a magnificent example of courage during a period of two and a half hours when under shell lire. (Awarded January 20. 1941.)