AWARDS TO AIRMEN

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 12

AWARDS TO AIRMEN

New Zealanders Serving Overseas OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in October, 1040, for operations over Dunkirk, the Kentish Coast, and the Channel, Acting-Flight Lieutenant Colin Falkland Gray has now been awarded a bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to official advice received by Air Headquarters, Wellington. Three New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have been awarded the Air Force Cross. They are: Squadron Leader Marcus Robinson, Flight Lieutenant Russell Merriman MacKenzie, Flight Lieutenant Richard George Maddox. Official advice has been received that the following New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have been mentioned in dispatches:—Air Vice- , Marshal F. H. M. Maynard, A.F.C., Wing Commander H. I. Dabinett, Wing Commander D. H. Marsack, Squadron Leader G. R. Magill. D.F.C., Acting , Flight Lieutenant R. C. Young, Acting ' Flight Lieutenant R. H. Nicolsou (deceased), Acting Flight Lieutenant B. F. *S. Irwin, Flight Lieutenant M. J. Earle, Flying Officer H. A. Outram, Flying Officer T. O. Walker (missing), Flying Officer L. J. Jowl, Flying Officer R. JK. Hogg, Acting Pilot Officer R. K. Keating (missing), Sergeant C. Chrystall, Sergeant A. W. Powell-Whiffen. , The following members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force have also been mentioned in dispatches:—Sergeant R. J. Belcher, Sergeant L. P. Ryan. Sergeant W. D. Steven, Sergeant D. C. MeGlashan. Biographical Details. Flight Lieutenant Gray was born at Christchurch in 1914 and was educated nt Christ’s College, Christchurch,, Wellesley College, Wellington, and Napier Boys’ High .School. In 1938 he was accepted for a short-service commission 'lathe Royal Air Force. His father is Mr. R. L. Gray, Russell Street, Gisborne. Flight Lieutenant Gray’s twin brother, Pilot Officer Kenneth Neil Gray, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in January, 1940, following on a memorable flight in company with Flight Lieutenant Frank Hugh Long, -both men receiving the award. Both these officers later lost their lives. Flight Lieutenant MacKenzie left New Zealand in 1937 where he was accepted for a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force. Flight Lieutenant Maddox was accepted for a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force in 1937, prior to which he had secured his “A” licence and had won the Otago Flying Championship. His next-of-kin at the time of enlistment was Mr. H. C. Maddox (father), St. Kilda, Dunedin. Air Vice-Marshal F. H. M. Maynard, A.F.C., was Air Officer Commanding the Royal Air Force in the Mediterranean. Squadron Leader G. R. Magill, D.F.G., was born at Cambridge in 1915 and was educated at To Aroha District High School. Prior to his acceptance for a shore-service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1939, he had secured his "A’’ licence at the Auckland Aero Club. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in the early part of 1941. His father is Mr. R. W. Magill, Te Aroha. Acting Flight Lieutenant R. C. Young was born at Kakanui in 1913 and was educated at the Waitaki Boys’, High School. He was accepted for a shortservice commission in the Royal Air ' Force in 1937. His next-of-kin at the time of enlistment was Mr. Thomas Young (father). 40 Reed Street, Oamaru. Acting Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was killed in an aircraft accident in May, 1911. His mother is Mrs. E. M. Nicolson, Gracesiel Avenue, Christchurch. Flight Lieutenant M. J. Earle was born at Wanganui in 1915 and was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School. Prior to his. acceptance for a short-service commission *in the Royal Air Force ill 1936. he had secured his “A” licence at the Western Federated Flying Club, New Plymouth. At the time of his enlistment his next-of-kin (father) was Dr. M. M. Earle, Wicksteed Street, Wanganui. Flying Officer H. A. Outram was born al Dunedin in 1913 and was educated at tlie Otago Boys’ High School. He was granted a temporary commission as Acting Pilot Officer in the R.N.Z.A.F. in July. 1939, and after training in New Zealand, left to join the Royal Air Force in December of that year. His next-of-kin at the time of enlistment was Mr. H. W. R. Outram (father), St. Kilda, Dunedin. Flying Officer T. O. Walker, who was reported missing in March, 1941, was accepted for a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1937. His next-of-kin at the time of enlistment was Mr. D. B. Walker (brother), Kikihi, Te Awamutu. Flying Officer R. J. K. Hogg was born at Mil ton in 1916, and was educated at Waitaki Boys’ High School. He was selected for a short-service commission in the R.A.F. in 1938. Hie next-of-kin at the time of enlistment was Sir. K. R. Hogg (father), Otekaiki, North Otago. Flying Officer R. K. Keating was m England at the outbreak of the war. and was accepted for service with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. His next-of-kin at the time of his enlistment was Mr. A. 0. Keating (father), 79 Alma Road. Wanganui. Sergeant C. Chrystall was born at Foxton in 1916, and educated at the Foxton District High School. He was a direct enlistment into the Royal Air Force, and at the time of enlistment his next-of-kin was Mr. J. Chrystall (father), Lady’s Mile, Foxton. Sergeant R. J. Belcher was born in England in 1919, and enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force immediatef ly war was declared, leaving New Zealand in June. 1940, as an air gunner. His next-of-kin was Mrs. J. Belcher (mother), 446 Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney. Sergeant L. P. Ryan was born at Palmerston North in 1916, and was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School. He left New Zealand as an observer in 1940. and was reported seriously ill from shell wounds in April, 1941. His next-of-kin is -Mr. L. P. Ryan (father). 19 Riro Avenue, Point Chevalier, Auckland. Sergeant D. C. MeGlashan was born at Wellington in 1918. He was enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937. and proceeded to England in February, 1939, for further training with the Royal Air Force with the New Zealanders who were to return with the "■Wellington” flights. He has since returned to New Zealand for special duties. His next-of-kin is Mr. R. P. MeGlashan (father), Timaru. Sergeant W. D. Steven was born at Lower Hutt in 1912, and was selected for service in the' Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1934. After serving in the Fleet Air Arm, he was re-engaged at the expiry or his service in 1939, and attached to the Royal Air Force in connexion with the ‘Wellington” flights. Sergeant Steven has since returned to New Zealand for special duties. His next-of-kin is Mrs. J. F. Steven (wife), Mount Albert, Auckland.