BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24634, 13 July 1943, Page 6

BRAVERY AWARDS

THE MERCHANT NAVY MANY DECORATIONS WON (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Monday The fortitude, gallantry and willing sacrifice of the Merchant Navy are illustrated by the" awards which have been made since the war started to personnel of the New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, and its associated line, the Federal Steam Navigation Company, Limited. A number of those to be decorated come from or are well known in New Zealand. Masters who have been awarded the 0.8. E. are Captains 11. Barnett, P. B. Clarke, F. C. Pretty (missing), -V Rice., C. I!. Pitcher, .1. G. Almond and W. G. Evans. Cautain Rice recently has been made a Commander of the urcior (C.'B.E.) for meritorious service in another ship.

Captain Pretty's ship, the Cornwall, was proceeding from Alexandria to Malta when her steering gear was completely disabled and other serious damage done by enemy air attacks. Nevertheless the Cornwall was taken to Malta, although she had to be steamed stern first for a considerable distance. The chief engineer, .Mr. A. Drununond, also received the 0.8. E., and the chief steward, Mr. J. Jesse, the M.8.E., and others of tho ship's company were decorated for their services 011 this occasion. Captain Pretty subsequently took command of a new ship, which was posted missing, believed to have been lost with all hands, on her maiden voyage. Convoys to Malta Captains Pilcher and Almond, who were awarded the 0.8.1''.., and Captain J, C. Tuckett, who gained the Distinguished Service Cross, were successively masters of the same ship on voyages which included passages in convoy to Malta. Captain Tuckett died .sortie months ago while in command ot another of the company's ships. Mr. J. Trotter, chief officer', and Mr. T. Spence, chief engineer, of the former vessel, were also awarded the D.S.C., and Mr. P. A. T. Gordon, apprentice, received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Chief engineers in the companies' service who have been awarded the 0.8. E. include Messrs. A. G. Johnson and J. Prest. Messrs. J. R, Vincent and J. H. E. Clarke, chief officers, have also received the 0.8. E.

I'or long and meritorious sea service Captain 11. Barnett and .Mr. .1. 15. Dick, chief engineer, were awarded the 0.8. E., and Mr. T. Clarke, ship's carpenter. and Mr. R. V. Dowler, patrolman, the British Empire Medal, Awards of the 15. E. have also been made to Mr. 1. 15. Rose, second officer, and of the M.15.F. to Mr. W. Reddington, chief engineer, Mr. F. I) McDonald. third officer. Mr. R, C. Downie, fourth ollicer, and Mr. F. .1. Keinhnll. fifth engineer. Other masters, chief engineers and junior officers have been mentioned in despatches or commended lor good service. George Medal Award For remarkable gallantry and devotion to duty in lighting a lire after his ship had been badly damaged by bombs, one of which went down the ship's funnel and exploded in the engineroom, Mr. F. Trundley, an assistant steward, received the high award of the George Medal. Ho and a shipmate, Mr. P. Croxford, ordinary seaman, also received Lloyd's War Medal for bravery at sea. 1 lie latter decoration, as well as the British Empire Medal, was awarded to three members of the crew of the Rangitane for bravery and devotion to duty uhon their ship was attacked and sunk by German raiders. They were Mrs. F. Plumb, stewardess Mr. W. Francis, ship's cook, and .Mr. .1. R. "Walker, deck mechanic, A number of other deck and engine-room ratings have received the British Empire Medal or been commended for good service.

The following awards have been made to members of the staff serving in the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, or the Army:—O.B.F.; Colonel T. ,J. lireen. Roval Engineers; Lieutenant T. F. Davies" R.X.R. M.8.F.: Lieutenant K. .V. Vasey. R.X.R. Distinguished Service Order: Conimander L. Griffiths. R.X.R.; Lieutenant I'. T. Renny, R.X.R. (missing, believed killed). Distinguished Service Cross: LieutenantCommander If. Hill. R.X.R.; Lieutenant H. H. Alaekillican. R.X.R. (and bar to D.S.C.I; Lieutenant W. V. Fitzmaurice. R.X.R.; Sub-Lieutenant T. .M. Codrington. R.X.R. (missing); StibLieutcnant P. M. Wilcockson. R.X.R.; Acting Sub-Lieutenant G. BrookeAlder. R.X.R.; Midshipman R. A. (J. Butler. R.X.R. Distinguished Flying Cross: Flying-Officer .f. G. Grey. Twice mentioned in despatches: Commander J. J. Youngs, 0.8.F.. R.X.R. British Km pi re Modal: G. F, Scott, ship's cook. DEATH OF A CHILD 1 P.A.) NFAV PLYMOUTH, Monday A child of two years died in the. Patea j Hospital to-day as a result of scalds received to the (hroat. Ho was Finest j George .Mills, son of Mr. and Mrs. j George Mills, of Patea. The child put | his mouth near the spout- of a kettle j of water boiling on the stove and inhaled a quantity of steam and swali lowed boiling water. i I KING PETER'S BETROTHAL (Ural. 5.85 p.m.) LONDON, July 12 It is authoritatively stated in Yugoslav official .quarters in London, says the British Fnited Press, that the new Prime .Minister of Yugoslavia, M. Triiunovie, within the next -18 hours will announce the engagement of King i I'et.cr and Princess Alexandra of Greece. They have been unofficially engaged for over a year and the Yugoslav Government has now decided to give its blessing.