Outstanding Bravery In Petrol Dump Fire

Northern Advocate, 19 August 1944, Page 4

Outstanding Bravery In Petrol Dump Fire

(Official R.N.Z.A.F. News Agency) BOUGAINVILLE, August 9 Certificates of Commendation for outstanding services were awarded today to 14 members of the R.N Z.A.F. by MajorGeneral O. W. Griswold, of the United States Army. The awards recognise the bravery shown by a New Zealand fire crew in attacking and subduing an outbreak of fire in a petrol dump during enemy shelling at Bougainville on the night of April 12.

Recipients of the certificates were: Fly-ing-Officer W. T. Williamson, of Dunedin; Sergeant D. G. Sutherland, of Rangiora; Sergeant L. Hughes, of Lowe?’ Hutt; Temp. Corporal L. E. Bruce, of St. Leonards; L.A.C.’s C. T. Weston, of New Plymouth, G. I. Wolfe, of Christchurch, W. S. Ashworth, of Lyndhurst, H. S. Trotter, of Palmerston North, E. G. McConarchy, of Wanganui, W. R. Linnell, of Hawera, P. Kemp, of Henderson. G. E. P. James, of New Plymouth, H. G. Marshall, of Wellington, and F. L. Tuhuru, of Hokitika. ■ The commendations sot out the circumstance under which they were won. The men concerned volunteered to put out a lire in a dump, although they were exposed to continuous shelling of the brilliantly lighted target and danger from exploding gasoline drums. With disregard for their personal safety, they put out the fire, thus saving large quantities of needed gasoline.