THREE AWARDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21149, 17 July 1943, Page 4

THREE AWARDS

DOMINION AIRMAN PILOT RECEIVES D.S.O. GEORGE MEDAL. & D.F.C. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July IG. A pilot in the New Zealand Beaulighter Squadron since August, 1940, and subsequently commander, acting Squadron-Leader Gage Darwent Sise, D.F.Q., of Dunedin, has b.een awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his keen and efficient leadership. He led his squadron in attacks on enemy shipping in which seven large merchantmen have been destroyed. The citation accompanying the advice of his new award to the Air Department, Wellington, praises his efficiency and devotion to duty, adding that ho took command of the squadron at a difficult period and that, his untiring energy and keenness maintained its efficiency and high morale. He led the squadron in successful attacks against enemy shipping, and no less than seven large merchantmen have been destroyed. He pressed home his attacks undaunted by the danger or opposition. It was for the attack on shipping that Squadron-Leader Sise was awarded the D.F.C. in February of this year. He was on the civil reserve of pilots when the war broke out, having trained with the Otago Aero Club. He was born in Dunedin in January. 19.17, and educated at the Otago Boys’ High School and the Otago University. He entered the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1939. His father is Mr. R. G. Sise, of Dunedin. Aircraft on Fire Two other New Zealanders have been decorated for bravery when their aircraft was on tire. Sergeant Hamish Auckland Wilson, of Paeroa, receives the George Medal for his part in rescuing an injured comrade who was trapped in a burning bomber on the ground, and Sergeant Edward Henry Smith, of Eketahuna, wins the Distinguished Flying Medal for lighting a lire in an aircraft attacking a blockade runner. This is the fourth George Medal awarded to a New Zealand airman.

Sergeant Wilson's citation tells how one night in March, 1943, the aircraft of which lie was rear gunner and Sergeant Moore, the captain, crashed into a house after taking off. It burst into names and was completely destroyed. Although badly injured, most of the crew managed to escape, but the mid-upper gunner was still there, trapped and unconscious. Calling for help, Sergeant Moore was immediately joined by Sergeant Wilson, who was badly cut about the head, and together they dashed into the blazing bomber and extricated the gunner. In the rescue, Sergeant Wilson was burnt on the face and body. He is the son of Mrs. M. B. Wilson, of Paeroa, and left for overseas to complete his Royal New Zealand Air Force training as an air gunner in the middle of 1941.

Sergeant Smith was a wireless operator of an aircraft which attacked a heavily escorted blockade runner in ,the Bay of Biscay. The aircraft was hit and set on tire, and flames and smoke appeared inside the fuselage. Sergeant Smith eventually managed to get the flames out, though parts of the aircraft were still smouldering, but was able to return to the base safely. He is a son of Mr. C. J. Smith, of Ronini, Pahiatua, and before entering the Royal New Zealand Air Force in October, 1942, to train as an air-gunner was employed as a cheesemaker at Eketahuna. He was born in Taumavunui in 1914.