N.Z. AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 4

N.Z. AIRMEN

Three More Decorated 71 AWARDS TO DATE. [Per Press Association] WELLINGTON, February 5 According to advice received- by Air Headquarters this afternoon, three more New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. They are:—Acting Flight Lieutenant John James McKay, of Nelson; Flying Officer Georciie KeitTr Larney, of Hamilton; and Flying Officei’ Kenneth William Tait, of Wellington. These bring the total of . Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded to New Zealanders to 55, including two with a bar, and the total of all awards to 71 since th e outbreak of war

Flying Officer McKay was born in Nelson, and is 24. He was educated in Nelson College, and wa s prominent in many branches of sport, particularly football and cricket. He was selected for a short serv.ee commission in the Royal Air Force, m 1937, and left in the latter half of that year. Flying Officer Larney was born m Wellington, and is 28. He wa s educated at Hamilton Technical High School. He was a flying member of Wellington Aero Club. He was trained by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and in the middle of 1939 was selected for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force. Flying Officer Tait was born in Wellington, and is 22. He wa s educated at Wellington College. He was a member of the College First Fifteen, and was selected for a service commission in the Royal Aii' Force in 1937, and left New Zealand iate that year.