BRAVERY IN FIELD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20858, 10 August 1942, Page 2

BRAVERY IN FIELD

N.Z.E.F. MEMBERS IMMEDIATE AWARDS DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent.) (9 a.m.) CAIRO, Aug. 9. The immediate award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal has been made to Sergeant Stewart Victor Lord, whose story of how he disabled two German tanks and captured Hi prisoners was sent in a despatch from Cairo a few days ago. "On the night of July 14-15, when his company was advancing on the Ruweisat ridge, tanks were encountered which were holding up the advance.” says the citation. “Sergeant Lord led a small party towards one tank, and took the crew prisoner, and disabled the tank with grenades. A second tank nearby opened fire on the party. Sergeant Lord. immediately rushed the tank, killing the commander and again using grenades for disablement. Sergeant Lord has fought with distinction throughout the campaign and set, a worthy example to his fellows.” Three more immediate awards for gallantry in the New Zealanders’ pari in the defence of Egypt arc announced. They are the Military Cross to Captain David Spence Thomson and Lieutenant Frank Edward Foster, and the Military Medal to Sergeant James Alexander Brown. Coolness and Daring A story of coolness’and daring is told in the citation which covers Captain Thomson’s decoration. On the night of. June 27-28, during an attack on Bir Abu Batta, Captain Thomson commanded a forward company of the leading battalion. With great skill and courage he led the company which was responsible for the destruction of many machine-gun positions.' Always in front and although wounded, he undoubtedly was personally respcnsible .for a great deal of the success which was achieved. At the conclusion of the attack, he would not report for medical attention but collected his men and saw them safely in' their transports. On succeeding days, he made light of his wounds and carried on in a cheerful manner. On the morning of July 3. during an attack against- the artillery of the Italian Ariete Division, Captain Thomson’s company was again leading ■ a battalion attack. Once more through his skill, personal courage, and -dash while under heavy machine-gun, anti-tank, and mortar fire, he was greatly responsible for the overwhelming success of the attack. Throughout this campaign, in Greece, and in the second Libyan campaign, Captain Thomson’s actions have been an inspiration and example. not only to the members of his company, but also to all ranks of his battalion. Enemy Fire Disregarded Lieutenant Foster won his decoration for gallantry at Minqar Quaim on June 27. With a small detachment of engineers. Lieutenant Foster was ordered to lay a belt of anti-tank mines across the mouth of a wadi towards which enemy tanks wc-re approaching, says the citation. About half the belt had been laid when the tanks reached a position from which the New Zealand party .could be seen. The enemy opened up with severe and accurate fire, Inspired by Lieutenant Foster’s example, the detachment unhesitatingly continued with the work. Within a minute, five had been killed and four wounded, but the others were continuing the job when they were ordered to withdraw. Lieutenant Foster then sent the few survivors away and himself went across to a three-ton truck loaded with mines and, though wounded, drove it to safety. Lieutenant Foster’s coolmess and determination under intense fire is an inspiration of fine conduct by the whole detachment. In an attack across a fireswept depression at El Mreir on July 4 Sergeant Brown’s agressive action resulted in his platoon reaching its objective, says the citation. Here Sergeant Brown exposed himself for long periods in order to locate and neutralise enemy machine-gun positions. Sergeant Brown later recrossed the depression twice for weapons and rations. When his platoon commander became a casualty, Sergeant Brown took over the command and showed skilL and determination in handling his men. His action was an inspiration to the whole company.