GEORGE MEDAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1944, Page 6

GEORGE MEDAL

TO GISBORNE MAN

RESCUE OF AIRMAN

For saving the life of an Air Force officer by dragging him from a crashed and burning aeroplane, Mr. Mervyn Lester Holden, a farmer, of Pouawa, Gisborne, has been awarded the George Medal. The announcement that the King had been graciously pleased to make the award was made by the Governor-General (Sir Cyril Newall) last night.

"On November 11, 1943, a Harvard aircraft containing two occupants crashed through a building on Mr. Holden's farm at Pouawa," states the citation. "It overturned and caught fire. The. two occupants were Flying Officer R. H. Browne, of Auckland, pilot, and Flying Officer D. J. Nilsson, passenger. Flying Officer Browne was killed instantly, and Flying Officer Nilsson suffered injuries which made, him unconscious.

"Observing the crash from about 300 yards away, Mr. Holden immediately mounted his horse and rode to the scene. .In spite of the fact that the aircraft was ablaze, he at once set about the rescue. He was not aware that there were two occupants in the aircraft or that the pilot in the front cockpit,, hidden by the twisted wreckage, had been killed. Flying Officer Niisson was a heavy man arid was being firmly held in the blazing machine by his harness. Unfamiliar with the release mechanism, Mr. Holden struggled to cut away as much of this exceedingly tough material as he could with his sheath knife, which he lost after some minutes through the overpowering heat.

"He was still unable to move Flying Officer Nilsson, but, in spite of severe burns, persisted in his efforts to get the injured man away to saifety. Eventually, Flying Officer Nilsson partially regained consciousness, and was able to help himself a little. With the flying officer's assistance,. Mr. Holden succeeded in releasing him from his harness, and was able to lift him out of the wreck and carry him to safety. "During all this time Mr. Holden suffered extensive burns to his arms, face, and back. These necessitated his immediate removal to hospital. But for Mr. Holden's determination, persistence, and courage . despite his injuries, there is no doubt that Flying Officer Nilsson would have lost his life."