N.Z. AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 12

N.Z. AIRMEN

SIX FURTHER AWARDS.

WELLINGTON, July 1

The gazetting of six more awards to New Zealanders serving in the R.A.F. brings the total of such awards since the outbreak of war to approximately 25. Two more New Zealanders, Flying Officer N. Williams, and Pilot Officer J. F. Swift, have been awarded the D.F.C.

The following are additional particulars concerning latest recipients of the D.F.C., and the D.F.M.: Squad-ron-Leader E. W. Whitley, D.F.C, left New Zealand for Britain in 1930, where he joined the R.A.F. He is 31, married, with two children. Pilot Officer lan Ernest Parsons, D.F.C., was born in Christchurch 27 years ago. He joined the Canterbury Aero Club, gaining an “A” license in 1932, and ’went to Britain in 1933. While serving in the R.A.F., he took a conspicuous part in service football activities.

Pilot Officer Neil Hyland Svenson, D.F.C., was born in Pukekohe, is aged 25 years, and was selected for a short service commission with the R.A.F. in 1937, and left for Britain in August of that year. Pilot Officer W. Tigance, D.F.C, was born in Temuka, and will celebrate his twenty-sixth birthday shortly, and left to accept a short. service commission with the R.A.F. in 1937. Sergeant Asher Reece, D.F.M., was born in Christchurch. He is aged 25. He was accepted into the R.A.F. in 1938, and left for Britain in April of that year. Sergeant Edwin Peter Williams, D.F.M., aged 23, was employed for a period by Pan-American Airways, at Auckland leaving in 1938 to join the K.N.Z.A.F. as a wireless operator. He left to join the R.A.F. for training in January, 1939. In the same group was Corporal C. B. G. Knight, of Nelson, who was awarded the D.F.M. last February.