N.Z. AIR CASUALTIES

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1943, Page 2

N.Z. AIR CASUALTIES

P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. The following New Zealand air personnel serving overseas have been reported as casualties:— Killed on active service: Wardrop, Sergt. Robert John (f. J. Wardrop, Gore). i

Missing, believed killed, on air operations: Burton, Warrant Officer James Tasman (m. Mrs. E. G. Burton, Christchurch); Harney, S'ergt., Charles Kenneth (f. C*. L. Harney, Invercargill); Smith, Sergt. Leslie George (m. Mrs. S. A. Smith, New Plymouth); Stansell, Flying . Officer Gifford Eric (w. Mrs. E. Stansell, Rawene).

Missing and believed killed on active service: Knap, Aircraftman Ronald William (m. Mrs. D. Knap, Paeroa); Payne, Aircraftman John Webster (f. A. S. H. Payne, Lower Hutt); White, Aircraftman David Stanfield (m. Mrs. D. White, Day’s Bay) . Seriously injured: Staples L.A.C., Eric Lenna’rd (m. Mrs. E. M. Staples, Pahiatua). Prisoner of war, previously reported missing: Matthews, Sergt. Francis of Auckland. AIR CASUALTIES IN N.Z. P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 14. . ’Che following) iare New Zealand air casualties: — Died of injuries: Brennan, Aircraftman Michael James (brother, E Brennan, Christchurch); Richter, Lieutenant John Llewellyn Rae (m. Mrs. M. J. Richter, Auckland). D.F.C. TO A. E. CLOUSTON. WELLINGTON, Dec. 11. With a name already famous for a series of spectacular record-break-ing flights in the years before war, one of New Zealand’s foremost pilots, Wing Commander A. E. CloUston, A.F.C. and Bar, of Nelson, has joined the growing list of New Zealand Air Force personnel serving overseas who have won the D.F.C. The award of this decoration to Wing Commander Clouston was announced to-day by the Air Department Wellington. [ The citation says: Wing Commander Clouston takes a full share in .the operational flying of his unit. He* has shown fine leadership and courage on a number of missions. In the course of an anti-submarine patrol last July, he sighted a U-boat some miles away. Keeping a rain squall between him and his quarry, he approached to attack. The submarine sighted his aircraft and opened fire on it. Wing Commander Clouston delivered an effective attack, dropping two sticks of bombs. The U-boat was seen to roll on its side. It then dived at a very steep angle During this most determined attack. Wing Commander Clouston displayed great coolness and gall,an-' try.