BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 93, 16 October 1940, Page 10

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

NEW ZEALANDER'S D.F.C.

TWINS DECORATED

Details of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross recently to Pilot Officer Colin Falkland Gray, a New Zealander serving with the Royal Air' Force, have been received by Air Headquarters. An extract from the notice states:

"Since May, 1940, Pilot Officer Gray has flown continuously with his squadron on offensive patrols. He took part in numerous engagements against the enemy throughout the Dunkirk operations, and subsequently throughout intensive air operations over the Kentish coast and in protection of shipping in the Channel. He has shot down four Messerschmitt 109's and, it is believed, destroyed a further four. He also assisted in destroying one Messerschmitt 109 and one Dornier 215. His example, courage, and determination in action have contributed materially in maintaining the high morale of his squadron."

Pilot Officer Gray is the twin brother of Pilot Officer Kenneth Neil Gray, who was also awarded the D.F.C. in January of this year. Pilot Officer K. N. Gray was later reported killed on active service.

Pilot Officer C. F. Gray was born in Christchurch and will be 26 years of age next month. He was educated at Christ's College, Christchurch, Wellesley College, Wellington, and the Napier Boys' High School, leaving the latter school after matriculating to enter a Napier firm of stock and station agents. In 1938 he was accepted for a short service commission with the Royal Air Force, leaving for the United Kingdom at the end of that year. His father is Mr. R. L. Gray, 115 Russell Street, Gisborne. !

panto and sent shells crashing into the brown hills, the barracks, and the seaplane hangars on the harbour, at an hour when the island seemed asleep. The Italians were expected to reply, but the shore batteries were silent. After half an hour the guns stopped, and two cruisers which were shelling the south side of the island withdrew along with the other vessels. Then Italian planes appeared overhead and dropped bombs, but the machines stayed high, the bombs fell over a wide expanse of water, and the Fleet moved steadily away without interference.

This incident was reported from Rome next day as "a furious engagement in the Dodecanese Islands," and the Italian High Command claimed a victory in which six British warships, including two cruisers, were damaged, twelve British planes were destroyed, and a cruiser and two destroyers were I "successfully fttta.cke.cl by- torpedo