BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21924, 19 January 1946, Page 6

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

DECORATION WINNERS In the list published yesterday of decorations awarded to officers and men of the N.Z.E.F. since March 31, 1945, there appear among the recipients the names of several soldiers who hail from the Gisborne district. Captain J. G. Crawford, who has been awarded the M.8.E., is well known in Gisborne. He is the son of Mr. Roy Crawford, who was in practice here as a dentist for many years before moving to Tauranga. Captain Crawford was born in Gisborne and received his primary and secondary education here. He then proceeded to Otago University, where he took his degree in dentistry. Before the war he was in practice with his father in Tauranga. He served in the Middle East and was taken prisoner in Greece, but continued his work as a dental officer in both Italian and German prison camps. He recently returned to New Zealand. Captain J. T. Dodgshun is also well known in Gisborne. He is the son of Mr. G. M. Dodgshun, with whom he was in practice as a dentist before the war. Captain Dodgshun was born in Gisborne, and after receiving his primary and secondary education here attended Otago University to take his degree in dentistry. He entered Papakura camp on December 5. 1939. and served overseas in the Middle East and Greek campaigns. He was taken prisoner in Greece, where he continued to serve New Zealand troops until he was removed to Germany. He acted in a similar capacity in German prison camps. Captain Dodgshun returned to New Zealand last month. Private F. M. Gardner, who receives the D.C.M., is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Gardner, of Gisborne. His award is for his work with guerrilla troops during the decisive stages of the Italian campaign.

Twenty-nine years of age, Private Gardner was overseas for five years. He did not take part in the campaigns in Greece and Crete, when he was on base duties in Egypt, but he was in the Western Desert up to the time of El Alamein. He was captured in the desert and sent to an Italian prison camp. When the Italians capitulated, he was sent to Germany, but jumped from the train before it reached its destination. Private Gardner subsequently joined up with a guerrilla band acting under the orders of a British officer. When the Eighth Army advanced on Udine, Private Gardner was virtually in command of the guerrilla forces in the area. He recently returned to the Dominion.