N.Z. AIRMEN’S HONOURS

Grey River Argus, 10 January 1944, Page 6

N.Z. AIRMEN’S HONOURS

GREYMOUTH MAN INCLUDED. WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Eleven New Zealanders, either members of_the R.A.F. or R.N.Z.A.F., serving on 'active aerial service overseas, are named in the New Year’s honours list, the details of which were received from London by the Air Department, Wellington. The recipients are:— Commander of the Order of the British Empire: Acting-Group Captain Andrew McKee, D. 5.0., D.F.C., A.F.C., R.A.F. Bar to Air Force Cross: Wing Commander James Leonard Moir, A.F.C., R.A.F. Air Force Cross: Acting-Wing Commander Kenneth F. Vare, (Wellington). Acting-Squadron Leader Rex Ronald Danniell (Masterton). Acting-Squadron Leader Walter Desmond Heaphy, R.A.F. (father, Mr. P. C. Heaphy, Greymouth). ActingSquadron Leader Roy Alexander Leslie, R.A.F.. (Waitara). Warrant Officer R. Howard William Player, R.A.F. (Wellington). Acting-Squad-ran Leader Maurice Craig Kinder. R.A.F. (Auckland).

The following are listed as having received commendations for their services: Flight-Lieutenant Charles William Halliwell Thomson, R.A.F., (Stratford). Flying Officer Wallace Russel King R.N.ZA.F. (Te Kuiti). Flying Officer Hilton James Valentine Atkins, R N.Z.A.F. (Timaru). McKee and Moir were prewar entrants into the R..A.F.

Accepted as a member of the Civi’ Reserve pilots at the beginning of 1938, Acting-Squadron Leader Heaphy gained his civil pilot’s A license in the same year as a member of the West Coast United Aero Club. Greymouth. ‘ Later he was accepted for a short service commission in the R.A?F., and commenced his training in England early in 1939. He was born at Greymouth in 1916, and received his secondary education at the Marist Brothers’ School, Greymouth, St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream. Wellington, anq the Technical High School, Greymouth.