Double Award For Gallant Aucklander

Northern Advocate, 21 May 1949, Page 7

Double Award For Gallant Aucklander

AUCKLAND,' ' Sat. (Sp.-)—“Dogged determination and outstahdihg leadership through a long night of pain” during the Burma campaign earned for Major Douglas Ewert, of Remuera, the Military Cross, according to a citation.for a double award presented by the Governor-General. (Sir Bernard Fryberg, V.C.) at an invefefiture yesterday. .• • ' A former company commander in the 11th Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army, Major Ewert won the M.C. in March, 1945, when his company’s box position was attacked t>y Japanese. Although wounded in the thigh by a grenade,, he went about the-box. in the open, encouraging, hjs men and directing the defence/ While limping about in., the dark and stumbling from tiredness .he fell into a poisonous thorn bush,; which left-his, hands and qrjms useless - REFUSED TO REPORT SICK yi ’ In spite of the crippling-pain, he led offensive patrols. • at' daybreak, drove the remaining enemy from the area and refused to report sick- until ordered to do. so. By -that time he could not use either hand and could barely walk. Major Ewert'was awarded a bar to his decoration four months later when he led an arduous 60-hour patrol over perilous and un reconnoitred country. The citation described this mission as having been carried out under the most difficult conditions and in' the face of enemy opposition. It had also resulted in the liquidation of a strong enemy post..