BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24761, 8 December 1943, Page 2

BRAVERY AWARDS

CREW OF A BOMBER FRANKTON AIRMAN'S D.S.O. (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday The whole of a crew of a Lancaster bomber, piloted by Flight-Lieutenant J L. Wright, D.F.C., of Weka Street. Frankton Junction, have been decorated in honour of their achievements as pathfinders in the recent bombing raids over Germany. Advice was received by Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Wright to-day that their son had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

In the citation, Flight-Lieutenant Wright was described as an outstanding captain, who had proved his skill in very many attacks on important enemy targets. He had displayed great keenness and determination to press heme his attacks. His courageous example'had won him great praise. Flight-Lieutenant Wright was born ai Paeroa 29 years aga. He was edueiited at the Hamilton High School and was employed at the Hnrotiu freezing works as "a clerk before joining the Hoyal New Zealand Air Force early in 1941. He left New Zealand in August, 1041. as a sergeant, and three months after his promotion to commissioned rank lie won the Distinguished Flying Cross in December, 1942. The other members of the crew who have been decorated include FlightLieiitenant C. W. B. Kelly, D.5.0., of Christchurch, Flight-Lieu tenant M. A. Carter, D.F.C.. of Hastings, FlvingOfficer A. B. Drew, of Auckland, and Flying-Officer P. Reynolds, D.F.C., of Wellington. VOLUNTARY AIDS NEEDED CIVIL NURSING RESERVE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The urgent need I'or more voluntary aids in the Civil Nursing Reserve was stressed to-night by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer. He stated that early next year new hospitals would be opened in Auckland and Wellington to provide additional beds for military patients. It was therefore necessary to increase the strength of the Civil Nursing Reserve by at least a further 200 voluntary aids. The National Service Department had undertaken to recommend manpower committees to release girls who were in other positions, but in order to set the required number it might be necessary to accept girls who had not completed their training. If this were necessary, arrangements would be made for training lectures to be given at hospitals.