BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

BRAVERY AWARDS

OFFENSIVE IN DESERT ' ACTIONS DESCRIBED NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, April 22 A magnificent talc of bravery i n the face of the enemy lies behind the awards announced Inst month to men oi the Reserve Motor Transport Company New Zealand Army Service Corps' Details of the acts resulting in the awards show them as outstanding examples of courage. The awards are also a recognition of the very g rea | admiration in which New Zealand drivers were held in the Western Desert offensive. Details of the awards are:

Captain Alan Lionel Lomas, MC * (New Plymouth), of the New Zealand Medical Corps, attached Reserve Motor ; Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. During operations on December 9 this young f New Zealand doctor was attached to a I brigade of an Indian division. At Turn- I mar West he attended wounded in the - open under heavy artillery and machine- I gun fire. He displayed great coolness I and courage and continued to do $q f throughout the operations of that dav On December 10 he worked unceasingly from 1.30 p.m. to 3 a.m. the follow, ing day without food or rest, and set a fine example of devotion to dutv i which was an inspiration to those around him.

Officer Since Wounded Captain Frederick Henry Muller M.C. (Auckland), ■ Reserve Motor Transport Company, X.Z.A.S.C. During operations at Tummar West on Dwemher 9, 10 and .11, 3940', this officer led his section of 33 lorries containing a battalion of Fusiliers to within 30 | yards of the .Italian perimeter defences under artillery and machine-gun fire. As he brought- his lorries to a 'standstill the Fusiliers leapt off and, with light machine-guns, blazing from their hips and with bayonets fixed, the enemy was overwhelmed. The speedy success of the operation was in .no small part due to the cool courage and leadership displayed by Captain Muller. (Captain Muller has since been reported wounded.)

Courage and Devotion Driver Norman Jack Pritchard M.M. (Bulls), H.Q., X.Z.A.S.C., attached Reserve Motor Transport Company. During, operations at Tummar West on December 9. 10 and 11, 1940, this soldier worked as a medical orderly for 36 hours, for the greater part of the time uiVder heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. He showed great coolness and tireless energy, setting an example of courage and devotion to duty. Driver George William Corp. M.M. (Dargaville). Reserve Motor Transport Company, X.Z.A.S.C. On December 9, 1940, at Tummar West, this soldier drove his vehicle containing troops of an Indian division to within 30 yards of the Italian parapet under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The Indians tumbled out of the truck and went into the attack. Driver Corp went to an exposed position and carried a wounded soldier to the cover of his truck. Throughout the operation he displayed conspicuous coolness and courage.

Inspiration to Indians Sergeant Richard Heyward Thomson, D.C.M. (Piripaua), Reserve Motor Transport Company. N.Z.A.S.C., attached to an Indian division. This noncommissioned officer was in charge of the convoy carrying troops of ail Indian rifle regiment in the advance to attack Tummar East on December 9, 1940. As the advance proceeded, an enemy counter-attack developed on the flank. With the greatest disregard of dauger, he calmly wheeled the convoy and proceeded under a hail of machine-gun fire until ordered to stop. When the troops "debussed'V and went into the attack he attached himself to a Brengun section. The Indians accepted his leadership and followed him into a bold attack against an enemy machine-gun post, which they succeeded in capturing. His example was an inspiration .to our Indian Allies. Disregard o{ Danger Sergeant Peter Gillespie Wilson, M.M. (Wairoa), Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. This noncommissioned officer was in charge of fi detachment of motor transport which acted as troop-carriers for an Indian ■ rifle regiment during operations from December 9 to 12, 1940. In the attack on Tummar East lie displayed com-: plete disregard for danger and imbued everyone with whom he came in contact with a spirit of confident optimism which went far toward making the' operations a success. On December 9 he joined in the fighting and, when Tummar East was occupied, he gave a magnificent example of courage during a period of two and a-half hours when under shellfire. . '