D.F.C. AWARDS

Evening Star, Issue 23744, 27 November 1940, Page 11

D.F.C. AWARDS

SIX NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN HONOURED TWO OTAGO RECIPIENTS v [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 26. Information, concerning the latest awards of Distinguished Flying Crosses to six more New Zealanders was received by Air Headquarters to-day. The recipients are: ACTING FLIGHT - LIEUTENANT CECIL DUNN MILNE, R.A.F., of Auckland. ACTING FLIGHT - LIEUTENANT FREDERICK JOHN LUCAS, R.N.Z.A.F., of Tuapeka Mouth, Otago. FLYING OFFICER WILLIAM MAXWELL NIXON, R.A.F., of Puke-, ran, Otago. FLYING OFFICER WILFRED MAURICE CHALK WILLIAMS, R.N.Z.A.F., of Napier. PILOT OFFICER DONALD JOSEPH HARKNESS, R.A.F., of Midhurst, Taranaki. PILOT OFFICER PETER WYNN MASON WEST, R.A.F., of Palmerston North. Flight-lieutenant Milne was educated at the Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, and is aged 24 years. He was nominated by tho New Zealand Defence Department in 1931 for entry into tho R.A.F. as an aircraft apprentice, and in January, 1932, he entered No. 1 School of Technical Training, Hajton, England, for a three years’ course. Flight-lieutenant Milne was awarded a cadetship, and entered the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, for training as a pilot officer. He took first prizes for the grand aggregate and educational subjects, and was awarded tho Lord Wakefield scholarship. He is married, and his mother, Mrs F. Milne, lives at Papakura, Auckland.

Flight-lieutenant Lucas was bom in Dunedin and is aged 25. He was educated at the Tnapeka Mouth School and Otago Boys’ High School, and spent some years farming. Ho Joined the Otago Aero Club during this period and gained his A license in 19155. Next year he left for England to Join the R.A.F. Last year he was selected for appointment to the R.N.Z.A.F. and posting to the New Zealand Squadron. According to the official citation, he has since the beginning of this year completed IS reconnaissance and pamphlet raids over Germany and 155 major bombing attacks on the enemy and enemy-occu-pied territory. His consistently good work has been marked by very definite devotion to duty 7, and Ids capabilities as a captain of aircraft have produced excellent results. Ho has shown marked ability to find and bomb his primary target. Flight-lieutenant Lucas is married and has a young daughter.

Flying Officer Nixon was born in Auckland and is aged 27. He was educated at Gore High School and Pukekobo Technical School. He Joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1934 in the ground staff section, and in 1936 gained his flying A license with the Canterbury Aero Club. In 1937 he resigned from the R.N.Z.A.F. to go to England, where he was granted a short-service commission with the R.A.F. He is married, and his wife lives in Yorkshire, England.

Firing Officer Williams is n 'son of the Rev. Canon W. C. Williams. Napier, and was serving with the R.A.F. bc-

fore the outbreak of war. About the middle of 1939 he was transferred to the R.N.Z.A.F. for posting to the New Zealand Squadron. Since the beginning of this year, states the official citation, Flying Officer. Williams has completed many reconnaissance and pamphlet raids oyer Germany and 30 major bombing attacks on the enemy and enemy-occupied territory. As a captain of aircraft he has carried out his duties with courage and high devotion to duty. Flying Officer Williams is married, and his wife and son live in New Zealand. Pilot Officer Harkness was born at Midhurst, and is aged 24. _ He was educated at Stratford Technical High School, matriculating in 1932. For a period he was engaged in clerical work, and in 1937 he joined the R.N.Z.A.F. clerical staff. He became a member of the Canterbury Aero Club, and in 1938 was selected for a short-service commission in the R.A.F. His father is Mr G. P. Harkness, of Midhurst, Tarn naki.

Pilot Officer West was born at Palmerston North and is aged 23. He was educated at Palmerston North Boys’ High School and Palmerston North Technical School, matriculating in 1934. After leaving school he was employed as a clerk by the Palmerston North City Council. He gained his pilot’s A license with the Middle Districts Aero Club in 1937, when he was also selected for a short-service commission in the R.A.F. His father is Mr E. V. West, of Palmerston North.