INVESTITURE HELD BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT GREYMOUTH

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1949, Page 6

INVESTITURE HELD BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL AT GREYMOUTH

Twenty-four Returned Soldiers and Others Receive Decorations

Medals and other decorations were presented to thirty people when an investiture was held before the Gov-ernor-General, Sir Bernard Fregberg, and Lady Frey berg, at the Regent Theatre yesterday afternoon. The investiture, which was witnessed by a large audience, began at 2.30 p.m., and concluded at 3 p.m. Investitures are usually held at Government House, Wellington, but this year it was decided to hold them in provincial centres to eliminate travelling and other inconveniences on the part of recipients. The citations were read by Squadron Leader P. R. Clapham, D.F.C., R. military secretary. The other Mali were Lieutenant Gordon Tait, D.S.C., R.N.; Lieutenant Commander S. W. Hicks, V.R.D., R.N.Z.N.V.R.; Lieutenant Colonel J. A. Bretherton, R.N.Z.A., and Squadron Leader G. W. Brabyin, A.F.C. Six of the recipients have now left the West Coast district. Those who were to be decorated and were not present were Warrant Officer Arthur Partridge, Sergeant William Hill, of Greymouth, and Second Lieutenant John McKenzie, of Otira. The insignia of a member of the civil division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, were awarded to the following:— Albert Elcock, of Hokitika, for his< valuable services in connection with! patriotic and welfare work during the war, particularly as chairman of the Westland Provincial Patriotic Council.

Miss Elsie Julius (Wellington), for her valuable services as Sister in Charge of the maternity annexe of Greymouth Public Hospital, on account of the shortage of trained nurses steadfastly continuing her duties although due for retirement. Mr Frederick Kitchingham (Greymouth) for his valuable services as chairman of the Provincial Patriotic Zone Committee in connection with patriotic and welfare work during the war. Mrs Christine McKane (Cobden) for her valuable services in connection with patriotic and welfare work on the West Coast during the war. Mr John Robertson (Westport) for his valuable public services as Mayor of the borough of Westport, after earlier service as a member of the Borough Council. Mr Edward Rose (Kumara) for his valuable services as District Superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. West Coast district, during the war years.

The insignia of a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order was awarded to Colonel Denver Fountaine (Westport) for his great skill and gallantry when commanding the 20th Battalion of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the night attack on an enemy position near the Mareth Line, between March 21 and 23, 1943. With only a limited amount of artillery support, Colonel Fountaine's battalion penetrated the enemy position, which was well organised and protected by mines, antitank ditches and wire, to a depth of over 2000 yards, capturing the objective and taking several hundred prisoners. He was also awarded the Military Cross for his outstanding qualities of leadership and courage when commanding: a Company in November, 194.1, On one occasion he extricated it with small loss from a desperate situation when attacked by -even enemy tanks on the Bardia Road, in operations at Bir Cleta, and in the night attack on Bel Hamed he led his Company with dash and spirit. He also did outstanding work in the attack on Maleme, in Crete, on May 22, 194 I.

The insignia of a member of lhe Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was -iv.r.rded to Squadron Leader Owen Evans (Westport) for his exceptional ability as an Accountant Officer in the- Royal New Zealand Air Force, especially when serving in the New Zealand Liaison Office in Canada, where he displayed outstanding zeal and devotion to duty. He w-as responsible for organising the repatriation of Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel and their dependents to New Zealand, performing this task with great efficiency. The same award was also received by Flying Officer Cyril Hector (Runanga) for his outstanding service as an Armament Officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand, being invariably hard-working and conscientious, and proving himself a most efficient officer with highly valuable technical knowledge. The Military Cross was awarded to Lieutenant Donald Brown (Denniston) for his outstanding initiative and courage as officer in command of a troop of unarmoured bulldozers and armoured Sherman-dozers during the opening up and clearing of roads ahead of tanks-during the operations at Faenza and Celle. On several occasions at night this oflicez remained in the open directing operations despite heavy enemy fire which put bulldozers out of action. He also, unaided, cleared mines from roads, and went forward on foot under lire to direct the work, setting a line- example to all under his command. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to the following:— Flying Officer Beryck Dalcom (Greymouth) for the utmost fortitude. courage and devotion to duty v, Inch he invariably displayed in the completion of numerous air operation:, against the enemy. Flight Lieutenant John Houlton ,'Eoddytown) for his notable skill and determination throughout a very large number of varied sorties. This officer shot down four enemy aircraft, three of them within a short neriud Flying Officer Robert Kennedy (< hi'istchurch) for his coolness and courage in the face of the enemy, especially during a daylight attack against an airfield at Essen-Mulheim in December, 1944, when an enemy shell detonated several oxygen bottles in his aircraft. The blast tore a hole in the fuselage, destroyed all navigationa equipment and charts, and the inter-communication system. The windscreen was shattered by the explosion, making the interior of the bomber intensely cold. Although Severely, shaken, Flying Officer Kennedy gave great assistance to his captain and rendered first-aid to the injured members of the crew. His courage, efficiency and cheerfulness throughout the incident contributed

largely to the safe return of th? badly-damaged bomber. Flight Lieutenant Joseph Morel (Napier) for his great fortitude, throughout numerous air attacks courage and devotion to duty which he carried out against enemy targets.

Flying Raoul Wisker (Stockton) for his courage and skilful airmanship as captain of an aircraft detailed to attack a flying bomb site near. Linzelix on July 9, 1944. On the bombing run the aircraft was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft fire, one shell bursting immediately beneath the starboard wing and causing the aircraft to go into a violent spiral dive. This officer managed to regain control, and despite the severe damage to the aircraft, made a second bombing run and executed a successful attack. He later discoveredthat the aircraft sustained 205 holes. He proved himself to be a keen’’and conscientious pilot. Sergeant Stanley Schroder (Koiterangi) received the Distinguished Conduct, Medal for his great gallantry and devotion to duty during the battle for Crete. On one occasion when detailed as a regimental aid post orderly at a time when his Company was suffering heavy casualties, he moved fearlessly through streets which were continuously straffed and mortared, bringing wounded back and improvising rough but effective bandages. On the night of May 25, 1941, when his Company counter-attacked at Galatos, he was wounded painfully in the knee, but even though unable to walk, he continued to crawl amongst the many casualties in the Galatos Square, dressing wounded and dragging them into the gutter and comparative safety. He also crossed open ground held by the enemy and under lire guided other troops across. He went out to destroy containers of enemy weapons and equipment. His deeds and fearlessness were an example to all his comrades.

Corporal Frederick Herring (Westport) received the George Medal lor his self-sacrifice, courage and gallantry on the night of January 10, 1945. Corporal Herring was preparing to send 36 grenades out to the outposts when one fell to the floor. The impact caused the safety pin to fall out, releasing the handle and striker. Corporal Herring immediately appreciated the danger to the other personnel in the small room, and, without hesitation, picked up the grenade and attempted to get it through the doorway. Unfortunately, it exploded just as he opened the door, and Corporal Herring suffered extremely severe injuries, necessitating the amputation of his right hand’ and right leg. By his brave action he saved his I comrades from serious injury, il not death. The Military Medal was awarded to the following:— Private Harold Aberhart (Nelson), for his courage and resource in all engagements during the period November 20 to December 1, 1941, his coolness and initiative under lire being an inspiration to his section. These qualities were noticeable at all times, particularly in the engagements at Menastir and the night attack on Bel Hamed. Staff Sergeant Mervyn Curtis (Greymouth) for his great courage and initiative when a British aircraft was shot down and made a forced landing on the beach in front of one of the gun pits during a heavy enemy air attack on Maleme aerodrome, in Crete, on May 15, 1941. In making the forced landing, the aircraft overturned and pinned the phot in his seat upside down. Although an enemy aeroplane was attempting to set, fire to the damaged British machine with incendiary bullets, Staff Sergeant Curtis ran forward and freed the pilot from his parachute harness and took him back to safety. Corporal Leslie Duncan (Koiterangi) for the fine leadership, gallantry and initiative which he displayed when leading a small detachment of sappers in the advance on Tripoli and in Tunisia. On one occasion under intense fire from the enemy, he demolished 31 Italian antitank and field guns, and thus prevented them from falling into enemy hands. He also made a very daring reconnaissance of heavily-mined roads to within 400 yards of the enemy, lifting mines and booby-traps on the way.

Sergeant Kenneth Herring (Westport) for his splendid example of initiative, courage and devotion to duty when his Company overtook the enemy rearguard and demolition parties near San Pietro, in Italy, in April, 1945. He noticed a number of the enemy hastily evacuating a house in order to occupy prepared ground positions. Without hesitation this non-commissioi\ed officer alone rushed the enemy before they reached their defences, wounded one and captured six prisoners, with two Spandaus, two Smeisers and rifles. • Corporal Cecil Mathieson (Reefton) for his courage when leading a section of a forward platoon of the 23rd Battalion during the attack from Santa Agata. The platoon, after hard and bitter fighting, lacking tank support, with its mortar ammunition expended and without support on either flank, was twice counterattacked by enemy “Tiger” tanks and driven back. On each occasion this non-commissioned officer courageously moved about the battlefield reorganising and leading his men forward. He then volunteered to guide our tanks up, fearlessly exposing himself to a hail of enemy fire. He was an inspiration to everyone, and did much to maintain the high morale and fighting spirit of his men and so enable his Company to withstand the enemy attacks. Trooper Nelson Perkins (Westport) for his gallantry and devotion to duty when his Troop Commander was severely wounded whilst making a forward reconnaissance in Italy on August 3, 1944. Despite heavy enemy lire, this soldier climbed out of his tank and carried the wounded officer up an exposed road to shelter, dressed his wounds, and then rendered first-aid to other wounded infantry, still under heavy fire, until ordered, back to his tank. As he was climbing aboard he was himself wounded. His example and fearless conduct under most trying circumstances were characteristic of him.

Corporal James Savage (Ahaura) for his courage and devotion to duty during the break-through from Minqar Qaim on the night of June 27 and 28, 1942. This soldier’s lorry was hit by an enmy tank shell when it was stopped, and a number of troops around it were wounded. He took command of the situation, and despite heavy enemy fire, loaded the wounded on to his truck and set off after th e main convoy which had already left. On the way they were hailed by a tank, and Corporal Savage showed great courage in approaching it alone to find that the crew were friendly. Th e party caught up with the convoy some two hours later. By his devotion to duty and courage,

Corporal Savage was responsible for the return to safety of 45 of his comrades, a number of them wounded. The British Empire Medal (Military Division) was awarded to: —

Corporal Joseph Boland (Murchison) for his devotion tn duty, doggedness under adverse conditions, and determination under fire as the senior driver-mechanic in his platoon from August, 1941. His aptitude and resourcefulness were invaluable in the maintenance of his platoon vehicles, especially on long desert moves when military transport spares were not available. ft

Corporal Charles Larcombe (Greymouth) for his coolness, courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy air attacks when driving military trains on the Western Desert railway in 1942 and 1943. Although previously subjected to many attacks, and on one occasion severely scalded when the boiler of his engine was pierced by cannon shells from an enemy fighter, this non-commissioned officer continued his duty with undaunted zeal. Staff Sergeant George Weenink (Greymouth) for his coolness, determination and devotion to duty as a quartermaster-sergeant in the 20th Battalion throughout the campaigns in Greece, Crete, Libya and Egypt. During some periods he .was wholly responsible for the rationing and equipping of over 300 men in extremely trying circumstances, but he executed his duties with marked skill, sometimes under severe, bombing and shelling. He set a fine example to his men. The Efficiency Decoration was awarded to Major Bernard Mathewson (Westport), and Major John Watson (Westport).