TREASURY ISLAND HONOURS

Evening Star, Issue 25067, 7 January 1944, Page 6

TREASURY ISLAND HONOURS

FIELD AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY SEVEN HEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January <>. The Governor-General Sir Cyril Newall, announced to-day that His Majesty the King has approved of the following immediate operational awards to personnel of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations on Treasury island, iu the South Pacific area : BAR TO D.S.O. BRIGADIER ROBERT AMOS ROW. D. 5.0., formerly officer commanding the central district and commander ot the northern field force. Brigadier Row was in charge of the operations which resulted in the capture and occupation of Treasury island." The landing force comprised numerous technical troops, in addition to the normal brigade group,, and the smooth landing of the successive transport echelons and general . development of the whole operation was eloquent proof of the thorough and careful way in which he had conceived and planned the expedition, in the operations ashore he displayed similar skill and aggressive, courageous leadership. His personal appearance at each threatened point of his defences did much to inspire his officers and men with confidence in the general direction of tha onerations and contributed in la rue measure to their success. MILITARY CROSS.

SlvCO-ND-LIKUTENANT LESLIE' THOMAS GEORGE BOOTH (wife. Mis A. Booth, Christchurch).

On October 27 Lieutenant Booth took part in an assault on the Japanese headquarters. At this time the beach and landing ships were being subjected to very heavy and accurate inortar fire from a high ridge west of the Saveke River. Casualties were being suffered by the unloading parties, and the unloading operations were in danger of being disorganised. Lieutenant Booth was ordered to attack, and capture the inortar position. Only a general indication of the direction from which the fire was coming could be given. Lieutenant Booth led his platoon up the very steep ridge in the face of heavy machine gun and rifle fire. Although the enemy was in considerable force on this ridge. Lieutenant Booth succeeded in driving him from the position and captured two 7omillimetre howitzers which had also been shelling the beaches. The barrels of both guns were hot when taken. Realising that the enemy still had a mortar in operation higher up on the, ridge, Lieutenant Booth left one section to hold the gun position and pushed on. After the advance up the very steep ridge the platoon encountered a strong position surrounding the mortar. In spite of being outnumbered, the platoon made a determined attack on the enemy with tommy guns and grenades, and the position was captured. The enemy tied, [paving 10 dead around the position. With the mortar were approximately 500 rounds of mortar ammunition and a large quantity of grenades and small arms ammunition. One light machine gun was also captured. Lieutenant Booth destroyed the inortar and howitzers, and withdrew. His platoon suffered seven casualties, all wounded. In this action Lieutenant liooth showed himself an officer of outstanding courage and initiative, and the successful termination of the unloading of the landing craft was clue in no small measure to his action.

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL.

SERGEANT WILLIAM ALBERT COWAN (wife. Mrs L. B. Cowan, Taumarunui), for distinguished conduct prior to and during the operations in the Solomons area.

Sergeant Cowan was selected to command two patrols to the Treasury Islands before the landing on October 27. The first patrol was sent in to obtain information as to -the strength of the enemy and his disposition. The object of the second ■ patrol was to cut the main telephone line between an enemy observation point on Laifa Point and the Japanese headquarters, and to pass information as to enemy movements after the landing had been effected. The first patrol was carried through most successfully under difficult conditions, and resulted in much valable information being obtained. The second patrol successfully cut the telephone line at 4 a.m. on October 27. and thus delayed information of the approach of. the assaulting troops reaching the enemy. During the next five da*vs the patrol was continuously active heliiud the enemv lines, and much information was obtained. Throughout Sergeant Cowan showed resource and determination of a high order, and his personal example and coolness in the face of considerable danger were large I responsible for the successful achievement of the missions. MILITARY MEDAL.

■SAPPER -TACK KEITH DUNCAN (wife. Mrs M. Duncan. Auckland), for bravery in the field. During the landing on October 27 the beaches were subjected a very heavy shelling and mortar fire for about five hoiirs after the initial landing had been made. This resulted in many casualties to personnel and damage to the ships that were unloading. Sapper Duncan during the whole of this time, and with an utter disregard for his own personal safetv, continued to operate.his bulldozer on and in the close vicinity of the beaches in constructing tracks vitally necessary for the expeditious unloading of ammunition, stores, and equipment. His fine example was a very steadying influence on the unloadin"- and carrying parties. PRIVATE JOSEPH EDWARD SMITH (wife. Mrs E. M. Smith, Waijieke Fsland, Auckland), for gallant conduct. , During a determined enemv attack on Soaiiotalu on November 2 Private Smith wiis with a party of 10 men. including one officer and one staff sergeant." which defended a small beach on Soaiiotalu. The (Menders were considerably' outnumbered. When the officer and staff sergeant had heen niorhallv wounded and the situation was at its worst. Private Smith took command and by his resolute action and calmness kept the defence intact. Finally, after five , hours' fighting, the party completely annihilated that portion of the enemv force which had penetrated to the beach. 'CORPORAL FREDERICK ARTHUR ARMSTRONG (wife. Mrs Armstrong, Napier). On November 5 Corporal Armstrong, as a member of a fighting patrol from his battalion, was acting as points scout with Sergeant Llala, a native guide, when a Japanese fired at [ilala, whose rifle laiiiined when he tried to return the fire. Corporal Armstrong ran towards the Japanese and shot him at close uuarters. The Japanese was not 'killed, and fell down a cliff. The men who followed him discovered a strong Japanese party armed with a light machine gun.-rifles, and grenades in a series of caves on the seaChore. In the ensuing action in which 10 Japanese were killed and one was captured. Corporal Armstrong displayed an absolute disregard of his personal safety, and by his courage and leader-

shin inspired his section. One of the onomv was hidden in a cave from where he was able to shoot and kill Sergeant Baird. Fire could not be brought to hear on him. and when grenades were thrown into the cave he scooned them out. Corporal Armstrong then took two grenades, and. crawling down a above the cave, he nulled the pin from a erenade. held it for three seconds, and then tossed it into the cave. He repeated this with the second grenade, and then jumned into the cave to find the Jauanese dead. Had it not been for Corporal Armstrong's action the casualties suffered by the patrol would in all probability have been heavier.

PRIVATE EDWARD VALENTINE OWEN (wife. Mrs M. A. Owen. Tauranga). for bravery in the field. During and subsequent to the landing on Treasury island Private Owen, who is a man of 40. has shown outstanding diligence to duty. During the Treasury Island campaign he landed with the'assaulting companies and immediately carried out a daring reconnaissance. As a result of this he led a fighting patrol against a strongly-held enemy post. During the attack on the post, and with a total disregard for his own personal safety, he advanced and threw a grenade into the post, which enabled the rest of the patrol to close in. He has since been most active on patrols into enemy territory, the results of which have on several occasions enabled the battalion to effect adjustments to the line held. His devotion to duty and his. example have been an inspiration to all ranks. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. Tho Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, has been advised by the Admiralty that His Majesty the King has approved the following New Year mention in despatches : Temporary-lieutenant Thomas Keith Murdoch Markwick, R.N.Z.N.V.R.; mother, Mrs M. Markwick, Auckland. Temporary - lieutenant Markwick joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as an ordinary seaman under scheme B in December, 1940. and was commissioned in December, 19-11.