D.F.M. AWARD

Evening Star, Issue 24116, 10 February 1942, Page 8

D.F.M. AWARD

GISBORNE AIRMAN SAVED HIS GREW (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb: 9. According to official advice received at Air Headquarters, Wellington, another New Zealand airman has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Ho is Sergeant James Phillip Farrow. 8.N.Z.A.F., and his mother is Mrs K. Bowes, of Ormond, Gisborne. Sergeant 'Farrow, who was educated at the Ormond School and the Te Karaka High School, was born in August. 1919. He was employed by the State Forestry Service at Rotorua prior to his enlistment.

The citation accompanying the award slates: “ One night in January Sergeant Farrow was the pilot of an aircraft which bombed Einden. The aircraft was subsequently attacked and bamlly damaged by two enemy lighters. Sergeant Farrow received a slight, wound in one leg. and the remaining members of the crew were seriously wounded. In the face of the harassing situation Sergeant Farrow ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft. Unaware that his message had not ben received, as the intercommunication system bad broken down, and believing himself alone in the aircraft, he finally, evaded his attackers and set an approximate course for England. Flying the badlydamaged aircraft on a dark, moonless night with no instruments to aid him, be eventually reached Britain, where he made a safe lauding with the undercarriage retracted. By his skill and resolution he saved both his aircraft ami. unknowingly, his wounded crew. This airman has participated in many operational missions, and has always shown courage and tenacity worthy of high praise."