AIR FORCE AWARDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 25 October 1941, Page 5

AIR FORCE AWARDS

TWO NEW ZEALANDERS INCLUDED London, Oct. 23. Flying-Officer Raymond Joseph Hannan R.A.F. has been awarded the D.F.C. and Flight-Sergeant Hugh Francis Rochford, R.N.Z.A.F. has been awarded the D.F.M. Both are New Zealanders. Flying-Officer Hannan was born at Hawera in 1917, enlisted in the R.N.Z. A.F. as an aircraftman in 1938 and entered the R.A.F. as a pupil pilot in 1939. He was commissioned in March 1940 and promoted to Fly ing-Officcr last July. Flight-Sergeant. Rochford was born at Kumara in 1910, enlisted in 1940, and trained in Canada as an air observer. He was a farm hand in civil life. The citations stale: Hannan has participated in many operational missions as captain and also navigator. Three times he has navigated an aircraft to Berlin where he successfully located and bombed his L.rgel. As captain he has attacked a wide variety of targets. One night while returning from an attack on Bremen six enemy fighters engaged his aircraft off the German coast. As a result of skilful manoeuvring Hannan enabled his gunners to drive off the attackers. His determination and keenness set a splendid example. Flight-Sergeant Rochford has set. a fine example as an observer through many operational sorties and has displayed great energy fortitude and endurance which has exerted a beneficial influence on other members of the crew. He has helped to sustain them through a series of sorties including a high proportion of difficult targets. Rochford has made himself a competent astronomical navigator entirely by his own efforts. At all times he has shown great coolness and courage.—U.P.A.