GALLANTRY IN BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1944, Page 5

GALLANTRY IN BATTLE

NEW ZEALANDERS’ DECORATED. WELLINGTON, Feb 17. The Prime Minister (Hon P. Fraser) has received advice that the King has approved of the following two awards to members of the N.Z.E.r., in the Middle East in recognition of gallant distinguished service in the field:” —Bar to Military Cross; Gaptain Colin Norman Armstrong M.C., Wanganui. D.C.M., to ' Sergeant Bruce Joshua Crowley, Auckland. Both soldiers are ex-prisoners of war who escaped to the United Kingdom recentlv and travelled to Egypt in time to join the second furlough draft for New Zealand. Armstrong went overseas, with tihe Sencond .Echelon as a subaltern in a Wellington infantry battalion. He was reported missing in the Western Desert in December, 1941. After' a per•iod as a prisoner of war in Italy, he was transferred to Germany whence he escaped. He was awarded the M.C., in December, 1941. Armstrong was formerly a barrister and solici-

tor, practising in Wanganui. Growley left New Zealand with the First Echelon. He was posted missin v m Crete, 1941, and was later to be a prisoner of war. Before the war in a butchery business.