Another N.Z. Pilot Receives George Medal

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 61, 12 March 1941, Page 4

Another N.Z. Pilot Receives George Medal

BRAVERY OVERSEAS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Mar. 10. According to advice received by Air Headquarters this morning, another New Zealander serving with the R.A.F. has been decorated for gallantry. He is pilot Officer John Tregonwell Davison, of Christchurch, who has been awarded the George Medal. This is the third George Medal to be awarded to a New Zealander, and the first awarded for gallantry overseas. Previous awards were to Pilot Officer D. T. Herrick and Sergeant E. A. Stratton, for their gallantry at the time of an aircraft, accident at Taieri on June 21 last. Pilot Officer Davison was born at Ashburton, and is 27 years of age. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs N. A. Davison, of Wairarapa Christchurch.

Pilot Officer Davison was the pilot of an aircraft which took part in a bombing attack on two heavily-armed merchant vessels. During the action he was wounded in the foot and thigh, but succeeded in flying his aircraft back to his base. Owing to the severe damage sustained by the hydraulic gear it was necessary to make a crash landing, the pilot not knowing that a bomb remained on the rack. The bomb exploded on landing, severelywounding the rear gunner and set lire to the aircraft.

Pilot Officer Davison and his ob-r server jumped clear, but then discovered that the rear gunner -vyas still in the aircraft. Regardless of the fire and the likelihood that the petrol tanks might explode, they succeeded in extricating the wounded gunner and dragging him to safety. By their courage and gallantry the pilot and observer undoubtedly* saved the life of the gunner.

Educated at the Christchurch Boys' High School, Pilot Officer Davison was selected for a short-service commission just before the outbreak of war, and after training at Taieri and Wigram left New Zealand for the Middle Eas‘ last year.