MORE AWARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1943, Page 4

MORE AWARDS

GALLANT AIRMEN

Wellington man's d.f.c.

Eight further decorations have been awarded to New Zealand air personnel serving* overseas —two Distinguished Service Orders, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and one bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Official advice of the awards received by the Air Department from London states that the recipients are: —

Distinguished Service Order. —Acting Wing Commander William Vernon Crawford Compton, D.F.C. and Bar, R.A.F.V.R.—Mr. W. C. Compton, Hobson Street, Auckland (f.). Acting Wing Commander John Howard Player, D.F.C, R.A.F.

Bar to .Distinguished Flying Cross. — Acting Squadron Leader Evan Dall Mackie, D.F.C., R.N.Z.A.F.—Mr. B. Mackie, Cuba Street, Waihi (f.).

Distinguished Flying Cross.—Wing Commander Russell Merriman MacKenzie, A.F.C., R.A.F.—Mrs. L. MacKenzie, 157 Cashel Street, Christchurch (m.). Flight Lieutenant Lei--1 cester Cornelius Kingsbury, R.A.F,—• Mr. R. A. Kingsbury, P.O. Box 40, Culverden, North Canterbury (f.). 'Flight Lieutenant Noel Rupert King, R.N.Z.A.F.—Mr. C. H. King, 34 Collins Street, Hawera (f.). Flight Lieutenant Raymond Johnson Watson, R.N.Z.A.F. —Mr. H. E. Watson, Tuatapere, Pukemaori, rural delivery, Southland (f.). Flying Officer Warren (Bill) Lewis, R.N.Z.A.F.—Mrs. I. C. Lewis, 154 Craigside Flats, Oriental Bay, Wellington (m.). . , . . "Flying Officer Lewis has taken^part in a large number, of operational sorties, including anti-shipping patrols, shipping searches, and covoy duties," says the citation. "Throughout his operational carer he has displayed keenness and devotion to duty of the highest order." Flying Officer Lewis is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Lewis, Oriental Bay, and has just turned 21. He was educated at Croydon Diocesan School, Day's Bay, where he was dux and head prefect. He also won the junior under 10 and senior athletic championships of the school. He completed his education by matriculating at the Hutt Valley High School, after which he joined the firm of Fashions, Limited. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and left for' Canada for training the same year. He has seen considerable service in Europe and was stationed for six months at Malta during the period when Axis raids were of almost daily occurrence. TWICE MISSING. Flight Lieutenant Stanley Franklin Browne, R.N.Z.A.F., formerly of Wellington, who has just been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, has been twice reported missing, and twice he has turned up again. The award, news of which has been received from London by the Air Department, is accompanied by the following citation:— "Flight Lieutenant Browne has taken part in numerous sweeps and escorts over enemy territory. He has shown the greatest determination and eagerness to engage the enemy." Flight Lieutenant Browne's adyentures began when, as a sergeant pilot, he was reported missing on operations halfway through last year. Some i weeks later, official advice was received I that he was interned in unoccupied j France. After a short period he turned up in England. His unexpected arrival coincided with the overseas visit of the Air Secretary, Mr. T. A. Barrow, who was able to bring back to New Zealand a first-hand account of the pilot's adventures and pass it on to his mother, Mrs. E. M. Browne, of 78 Anne Street, Wellington. Returning to service as a pilot officer, #Flight Lieutenant Browne next went missing a short time ago during operations in the Sicilian area. His mother was informed of his misadventure, but on the following day was pleased to learn that her son had returned to his unit, having successfully bailed out from his aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Browne was bom in Wellington in 1919, and received his secondary education at the Wellington Boys' College, matriculating to Victoria University College, where he was a full-time student. Applying for R.N.Z.A.F. service in 1940, he commenced his training the following year. PRISONER OF WAR. Recently reported missing, but now confirmed a prisoner of war, Flying Officer John Donald Rae, D.F.C., R.N.Z.A.F., of Auckland, has been awarded the bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross, states information received by the Air Department, Wellington. Flying Officer Rae's latest award pays high tribute to his qualities as a fighter pilot. "Flying Officer Rae is an outstanding and determined pilot," the citation says, "and he has taken part in many sorties, displaying gallant leadership, and great skill. Within recent weeks he has shot down four enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least 11. He has displayed exceptional keenness and devotion to duty." Educated at the Auckland Grammar School, Flying Officer Rae, who was born in Auckland in 1919, applied for Air Force service the day that war broke out. Commencing his training the following year, he went overseas as a sergeant, in which rank he served in the New Zealand Fighter Squadron. Transferred to Malta, he raised his score of enemy aircraft destroyed to six and a half before being shot down himself. He was commissioned at the end of last year, and till his recent capture was a pilot in the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs. H. A. Rae, 29 Grand View Road, Remuera, Auckland.