AIR HONOURS

Evening Star, Issue 24007, 4 October 1941, Page 13

AIR HONOURS

A.F.G. FOR THREE HEW ZEALANDERS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 3. Information has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington, that three New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Forco have been awarded the Air Force Cross. They are:— Squadron-leader MARCUS ROBINSON. Flight-lieutenant RUSSELL MERRIMAN MACKENZIE. Flight - lieutenant RICHARD GEORGE MADDOX. Flight-lieutenant Mackenzie left Now Zealand in 1937 for England, where he was accepted for a commission in the Royal Air Force. Flightlieutenant Maddox was accepted for a short-service commission with the Royal Air Force in 1937, prior to which ho had secured his “ A ” license and had won an Otago Daily Times Flying Scholarship. His father is Mr H. G. Maddox, of Dunedin. OTHER HONOURS. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in October, 1940, for operations over Dunkirk, the Kentish coast, and the Channel, Acting Flight-lieutenant Colin Falkland Gray has now been awarded the bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Official to this effect has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington. Flight-lieutenant Gray was born in Christchurch in 1914, and was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, Wellesley College, Wellington, and Napier Boys’ High School. In 1938 ho was accepted for a shortservice commission in the Royal Air Force. His father is Mr R. L. Grtiy, of Gisborne. Flight-lieutenant Gray’s twin brother. Pilot-officer KemiethNeil Gray, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in January, 1940, following a memorable flight in company with Flight-lieutenant Frank Hugh Lon", both men, who subsequently lost their lives, receiving this award. Official advice has also been received by Air Headquarters that the following New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have been mentioned in despatches:—Air Vice Marshal F. H. M. Maynard, A.F.C., Wing-com-mander H. I. Dabinctt, Wing-comman-der D. H. Marsack, Squadron-leader G. R. Magill, D.F.0., Acting Flightlieutenant R. C. Young, Acting Flightlieutenant R. H. Nicolsou (deceased). Acting Flight-lieutenant B. F. S. Irwin, Flight-lieutenant M. J. Earle, Flving-offioer H. A. Outram, Flyingofficer T. O, Walker (missing), Flyingofficer L. J. Jowl, Flving-officer R. J. K. Hogg, Acting Pilot-officer R. K. Keating (missing), Sergeant C. Cbrvstall, and Sergeant A. W. PowellWiffen. , „ , The following members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force have also been mentioned in despatches :— Sergeant P J Beleber. Sergeant L. P. Ryan, Sergeant W D. Steven, and Sergeant D. C. M'GLasban. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The following biographical details have been supplied by Air Headquarters, Wellington:— Air Vice Marshal Maynard was air officer commanding the R.A.F. in the Mediterranean. Squadron-leader Magill was born at Cambridge in 1915 and educated at the To Aroha District High School. He was awarded the D.F.C. in the early* part of 1941. His father is Mr R. W. Magill, of To Aroha. ■ Acting Flight-lieutenant R. C. Young was born at Kakanni in 1913 and was educated at the Waitaki Boys’ High School. He was accepted for a sliortsorvico commission with the R.A.I?. in 1937. His father is Mr Thomas Young, of Oamaru. Acting Flight-lieutenant Nicolson was killed in an aircraft accident in May last. His mother is Mrs E. M. Nicol««», of Christchurch. Flight-lieutenant M. J. Earle was born at Wanganui in 1915, and was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School. His father is Mr M. M. Earle, of Wanganui. Flying-officer H. A. Outram was bom at Dunedin in 1913 and was educated at the Otago Boys’ High School. He was granted a temporary commission as acting pilot-officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in July, 1939, and, after training in "New Zealand, left to join the Royal Air Force in December of that year. His father is Mr H. W. R. Outram, of Dunedin. Flying-officer T. O. Walker, who was reported missing in March, 1941, was accepted for a short-service commission in the R.A.F. in 1937. His brother is Mr D. G. Walker, of To Awamutn. Flying-officer R. J. K. Hogg was born at Milton in 1916 and was educated at the Waitaki Boys’ High School. He was selected for a short service commission in the R.A.F. in 1938. Hie father is Mr R. K. Hogg, of Otekaike, North Otago. Flying-officer R. K. Keating was in England at the outbreak of war, and was accepted for service with the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve. His father is Mr A. O. Keating, of Wanganui. Sergeant C. Chrystall was born at Foxton in 1916. He was a direct enlistment into the R.A.F. His father Mr J. Chrystall, of Foxton. Sergeant R. J. Belcher was bom in England in 1919 and enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F. immediately war was declared, leaving New Zealand in June, 1940, as an air gunner. His mother is Mrs J. Belcher, of Sydney. Sergeant L. P. Ryan was born at Palmerston North in 1916. Ho left New Zealand as an observer in 1940, and was reported seriously ill from shell wounds in April, 1941. His father is Mr L. P. Ryan, of Auckland. Sergeant D. C. M'Glasban was born at Wellington in 1913. He enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1937 and proceeded to England in February, 1939, for further training .with the R.A.F. with the New Zealanders who were to return with the Wellington flights. He has since returned to New Zealand for special duties. His father is Mill. P. M’Glashan, of Timaru. Sergeant W. D. Steven was born at Lower Hutt in 1912, and was selected for service in the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1934, after serving with the Fleet Air Arm. He was re-engaged at the expiry of his service in 1939, and was attached to the R.A.F. in connection with the Wellington flights. Sergeant Steven has since returned to New Zealand for special duties. His wife is Mrs J. F. Steven, of Auckland.