BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24423, 5 November 1942, Page 4

BRAVERY AWARDS

TWO RECEIVE D.S.O. GALLANTRY IN EGYPT BAR TO MILITARY CROSS (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) CAIRO, Oct. 31 The former All Black, LieutenantColonel J. T. Burrows, heads the list of immediate awards to New Zealanders announced to-day. The awards are: Distinguished Service Order.—Lieut-enant-Colonel J. T. Burrows—Mrs. J. T. Burrows, Christchurch (wife). Captain S. IL Thompson—Mr. L. B. Thompson, Christchurch (father).Bar to Military Cross.—Lieutenant A. 11. W. Onnond—Mr. J. D. Ormond, Wellington (father). Distinguished Conduct Medal.—Sergeant C. W. Carter —Mr. A. W. J. Carter, Taumarunui (father). Military Medal. —Signalman C. J. Xilsen—Mr. -J. H. Xilsen, Nelson (father). At Minqar Qain, on the night of June 27-28, Colonel Burrows commanded a brigade which was ordered to make a breach in the enemy line by bayonet attack. He carried out this difficult operation with skill and coolness. At liuwcisak Ridge on July 14-15, he again commanded a brigade in a night attack, and showed fine resolution in carrying a battalion through to the objective. Medical Unit's Escape t As medical officer attached to one of the New Zealand brigades, Captain Thompson followed up the attack on Ruweisak Ilidge with his regimental aid post truck. When enemy tanks over-ran one battalion, his truck was then captured and taken west still collecting wounded. Ho stopped the truck to unload the stretcher cases. The enemy threatened him, and endeavoured to make him pick up enemy wounded only, and go on, but he ordered the truck to be immobilised. Captain Thompson then spent the day tending the wounded. Finally, the truck was driven back to our lines with all the party, and three of the enemy who had been left on guard. Captain Thompson was a medical practitioner on the staff of the Christchurch Public Hospital before the war. He was appointed to the Territorial Force Field Ambulance in July, 1940, and transferred later to trie Expeditionary Force, and went overseas with a reinforcement. Attack Through Minefield. While on patrol between Deir Muhafid and Deir Muhassib on September 7, Lieutenant Ormond saw an enemy position on the opposite side of a minefield. He went forward in his tank and came under heavy machine-gun fire, but advanced into the minefield on foot, to make sure that the gap was clear of mines. He then took his tank through and attacked the enemy position. He again went forward on foot to attack the enemy single-handed. His tank received a direct hit from a high-explosive shell, temporarily blinding the driver, but Lieutenant Ormond successfully directed it to an enemy gun-crew, of which he completely disposed. Lieutenant Ormond enlisted in September, 1939, and went overseas with the First Echelon. He was awarded tlie Military Cross in March this year. He is a member of the well-known Hawke's Bay family, and was a farmer in civil life. Led a Fighting Patrol On the night of July 9-10. Sergeant Carter led a fighting patrol into the El Mireir depression. He attacked a large enemy gun and tractor with grenades, killing the crew. He then led his patrol against an Italian strongpoint, doing great execution. He enlisted in September, 1939. and went overseas with the Second Echelon. In civil life, Sergeant Carter was a journalist. Following the advance on Ruweisak Ridge on July 15, Signalman Nilsen went forward and repaired a line for two miles while under fire. Throughout the campaign he displayed a devotion to duty which was an example to his section. He left New Zealand with the Second Echelon. Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Burrows is a former Canterbury and New Zealand Rugby representative. He went to South Africa with the 1928 All Blacks. An old boy of the Christchurch Boys' High School, he was a master there before joining the Army at the outbreak of war. He left New Zealand with the First Echelon with the rank of captain. Recently he held the rank of temporary-brigadier while commanding a brigade.

FALL THROUGH ROOF CARPENTER AWARDED £935 The hearing of the claim for damages brought by a carpenter, Francis Alexander O'Rorke (Mr. Henry), who fell through a roof while working at the Westfield freezing works in August of last year, was concluded before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury yesterday. Plaintiff claimed £1250 general and £135 special damages against the Westfield Freezing Company, Limited (Mr. Goldstine), alleging that it was responsible for leaving the roof in a dangerous condition. After being out for over three hours the jury found for the plaintiff, with special damages as claimed, and £BOO general damages. SEX INSTRUCTION SCHOOL TEACHING URGED Advice from the Wanganui Education Board that it had decided to recommend to the Minister of Education that the Government set up a special committee to consider sex instruction in schools was received at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterday. Failing any action by the'department, it was the Wanganui board's intention to bring the matter forward for discussion at the next Education Boards' Conference. It was hoped that some practical suggestions would then be made to place before the Minister and the department. The chairman. Mr. W. J. Campbell, said the Auckland board had received a deputation from the School Committees' Association Inst year on the question and had agreed to bring the matter before the Government. The "Wanganui body should be informed that action had been taken. BUSINESS SOCIETY Alterations to the Xewton post office had relieved the congestion there, it was stated at the annual meeting of the Karangahape Road Business Promotion Society. Regret was expressed at the resignation from the executive, owing to ill-health, of Mr. F. L. Rendell. The membership of the society was 115, The following officers were elected:—President, Mr. G. C. Moses; vice-presidents Messrs. L. M. Blyth, E. E. Kitchener, J. W. 1 rohert and H. Stevens; committee, Messrs A. Aley, C. Ashley, Beuth, Gate, J. A. Court,' M. Kay, J. R. Keenan, L. C. Kent, O. ,J Melvern, N. Xaismith. L. O'Mallev and C P. Raines: trustees, Messrs. O. ,7. Melvern and H. Thomson; honorary auditor. Mr J W. Probert; secretary, Mr. I. Meltzor.