GALLANTRY REWARDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24178, 21 January 1942, Page 8

GALLANTRY REWARDED

DECORATIONS PRESENTED CEREMONY IN HOSPITAL : (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) ' , ... ,> CAIRO, .Tan. .19 Six decorations for gallantry in the field were presented to-day by MajorGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg to patients in the New Zealand general hospitals. Four were immediate awards of the Libyan campaign, and two were won hy men of the special desert group. The decorations were: —Military Cross: Lieutenant A. C. Yeoman, Taneatua. Distinguished Conduct Medal:' Corporal Rr J. Moore, Taihape. Military Medal: Sergeant I. M. Mclnnes, Whangarei, Gunner R. Wixon, Colac Bay, Southland; Private A. V. Lee, Wellington, and Bombardier T. M, Hutchinson, Napier. A group of senior officers, sisters and patients watched Sir Bernard Freyberg pin ribbons on Bombardier Hutchinson and Corporal Moore as they sat in wheel chairs on a sunny balcony in the Ist General Hospital. The others received their decorations in a ward of the 3rd General Hospital. Only one man was able to stand to receive his award, That was Sergeant Mclnnes. The courage and cheerfulness of all was an inspiration to those who watched them chatting freely with General Freyberg and his staff. One man, who will never have the full use of his legs again, smiled broadly as he was congratulated by the official party. Each was thanked on behalf of the Division by General Freyberg, who stopped for several minutes by each bedside inquiring about the . recovery of the patient and his part in the campaign. the Libyan awards, no citations were read for the decorations of Corporal Moore and Sergeant Mclnnes, because of the secrecy of their work. General Freyberg explained why their heroic deeds were not mentioned. "When the history of this group is written," he said, "their work will rank as high as that of any regiment. They are hand-picked men, whose operations are outside the limelight." '