N.Z. OFFICERS’ AWARDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20862, 14 August 1942, Page 3

N.Z. OFFICERS’ AWARDS

SERVICE OVERSEAS MILITARY CROSS BAR (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. Advice has been received from the War Office, London, that, the King has approved of the following immediate awards to officers of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force serving in the Middle East: Distinguished Service Order. —Major H. M. McElroy. Bar to Military Cross.—Caotain E. A. McPhail. Military Cross. —Lieut. G. S. Cooper. Major McElroy received his first appointment to a commission in the North Auckland Regiment in 1932, and in February, 1940, was posted to the Second N.Z.E.F. in the temporary rank of captain. He went overseas with the Second Echelon and attained field rank this year. He is an accountant in civil life, and resided in Dargaville. Captain McPhail passed out from the Army School of Instruction in November, 1939, and was commissioned as a second-lieutenant in the Second N.Z.E.F., South Island Battalion. He went overseas with the Second Echelon and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and distinguished service in the Greek campaign. He was promoted to his present rank in December last. He was formerly on the Christchurch staff of the Bank of New Zealand. His father is Mr. E. McPhail, Rangiora. Lieutenant Cooper was commissioned in 1941 and left New Zealand with the fourth reinforcements. He was promoted to lieutenant in July last year. His home is in Christchurch. He is an accountant in civil life. His next-of-kin is Mrs, D. F. Cooper, Titnaru.