HAPPY CEREMONY

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 10

HAPPY CEREMONY

KING RECEIVES T.U.C. MEDAL LONG TALK WITH UNION LEADENS (British Official Wireless.) Pr«M Association—By Telegraph—Copyright . RUGBY, November 26. Their Majesties to-day talked with trade anion leaders when they inspected 27 mobile canteens handed over to the Y.M.C.A. by the president of the Trades Union Congress (Mr Gibson). After the ceremony Mr Gibson presented the King with the T.U.C. gold medal. The canteens, with crews, were lined up and representatives of the various trade unions, headed by Mir Gibson, were present. Their Majesties had a long talk with the union leaders, and afterwards walked down the lines of canteens and spoke with the crews and laughed and joked with the union leaders. Mr Gibson, in making the presentation of the canteens to the Y.M.C.A., said: “They will be used to provide succour for the civilian population, but are primarily an expression of the love and admiration we have for our comrades in the fighting services and a guarantee that their comrades in the workshops will provide the necessary instruments for offence and defence until in the field, factory, and workshop we are able to strike the final decisive blow which will bring peace and victory.” The presentation of the T.U.C. medal took place afterwards in the quadrangle, when Mr Gibson handed the medal to the King, saying: “If you feel disposed to visit the Trades Union Congress this will act as an open sesame.” A special gold badge was struck on this occasion, consisting of a bar bearing the Royal Arms, from which is suspended the medallion.

GALLANT AIRMEN BAKS TO D.F.C. (British Official® Wireless.) EUGBY, November 26. 'Am officer whose squadron staved off • bombing attack on London is one of the two receiving the bar to the D.F.O. ja the latest list of R.A.F. awards. He is Acting Flight-lieutenant Villa, a Londoner, who has the destruction of 18 hostile aircraft to his credit. The determined attack made by the squadron he led caused the enemy to jettison their bombs for a defensive circle. Tbe other officer, Pilot-officer Neil, who is Lancashire born and bred, engaged a Junkers 87, which he destroyed within six minutes.- He was then attacked by three Messerschmitt 109’s, two of which he destroyed. His magnificent fighting spirit has enabled him to destroy at least 11 aircraft. The list of awards also includes seven Bj.F.C.’s—one a New Zealander—and •Be D.F.M. ACHIEVEMENTS AT MUNICH FURTHER AWARDS MADE LONDON, November 26. The D.F.C. has been awarded Flightlieutenant Lloyd Watt Coleman, of Wellington, and Squadron-leader Norman Maxwell Boffee. Hie citation states that Flight-lieu-tnant Coleman attacked the railway yards and locomotive sheds in Munich, despite considerable activity and the presence of balloons. He glided down to a height of 3,500 ft and straddled the target with bombs. He then encircled the town, ordering his air-gunners to put out as many searchlights as possible. Flight-lieutenant Coleman has carried out 25 raids since June, 1940, 15 as plane captain. He set a magnificent example to the squadron. Squadron-leader Boffee was decorated for a recent night attack on a Munich railway yard. He was the first to locate the target, which he successfully bombed, causing fires that were instrumental in guiding subsequent planes. He has participated in 27 raids'. Pilot-officer Peter Wynn Mason West, of Palmerston North, was also awarded the D.F.C. The citation states that he has participated in 33 flights, 11 as captain of a plane, comprising 216 flying hours. His skill and coolness as a navigator and bomb aimer largely contributed to the success of the operations. He displayed coolness and determination in pressing home his attacks. ADMIRAL NOMURA APPMRTMEMT ACCEPTED WASHINGTON, November 26. •Mr Cordell Hull announced that the United States had accepted Admiral Nomura’s appointment as Japanese Ambassador. N.Z. AIRMEN CASUALTIES [Fee Dotted Press Association.] WELLINGTON. November 27. It is officially announced that Pilot Officer John Charles Mallon, who was previously reported missing and later reported! to be a prisoner of war and wounded, is now reported to have been shot down on October 8 and buried at Quines Cemetery in France. His father is Mr A. Mallon, of. Bell Block, New Pymouth. Pilot Officer Brian Henry Herrick is reported missing on air operations. His father is Mr il. J. Herrick, of Lindis-