THREE MORE AWARDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 23 September 1941, Page 6

THREE MORE AWARDS

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN SERGEANTS REC EIVE D.F.M.’s COURAGE ON OPERATIONS Wellington, This Day. Advice has been received by Air ! Headquarters. Wellington, that three i more New Zealand airmen have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. They are: Sergeant David Alexander Abbott. Mr G. M. Abbott, Wellington (father). Sergeant Henry Cumberland Stapleton Cotton. Mrs N. Cotton, Auckland • (mother). Sergeant Jack Joll. Mr J. S. Joll. New Plymouth (father), j The citations stale: i “Scrgt. Abbott displayed great skill land determination throughout flights i i which he acted as rear gunner. He I many and occupied territory, including i three attacks on Berlin and five on . ; Cologne. Abbott has always taken ! meticulous care in the maintenance of I his turret and guns, and he has displayed courage and coolness throughout. Abbott was born at Carterton in 1917. and edu a tecl at the Ngaio school, and the Wellington Technical College.! “Scrgt. Cotton has consistently dis-! played good work as a wireless operator and air gunner. Since January,' | 1941. he has participated in operations ; | over enemy and enemy occupied ter- ! ritory. including one flight to Turin I which was his first operations’ venture, land occupied ten hours flying.” Cotton i was born in Apia, in 1920. and educated lat the Auckland Grammar School. “Sergeant Joll is an exceedingly skil-l ful pilot and a good captain, who tries out new methods of evasive tactics with ; success. This was particularly notice- 1 able on the nights of 3rd and 15th of July when he attacked targets at Es-1 sen and Duisberg. The wav in which: he pressed home these attacks afforded j a good example of courage and flying I ability.” Joll was born at New Plymouth in 1920 and was educated at I the New Plymouth Boys’ High School.; Prior to his enlistment he was captain i of the New Plymouth Model Aero Club. —P.A. AIR FORCE CASUALTIES Wellington, This Day. The folowing Air Force casualties were announced to-dav: McCONCHIE. ‘ Ernest William. Set.. R.N.Z.A.F.. previously reported missing, now reported prisoner of war. Mr E. H. MeConchie, Wellington (father). CULPAN. William John Rae, Sgt.. R.N.Z. reported prisoner of war. Mis ’Joyce Culpan. Auckland (wife). COOPER, Tancrcd Eric, Pilot Officer, R.N.Z A.F.. missing on air operations. Mrs M. Cooper, Wanganui (mother).— P.A.