BRAVERY AWARDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24868, 14 April 1944, Page 2

BRAVERY AWARDS

SERVICE IN PACIFIC D.S.O. FOR AUCKLANDER tH MAJOR WHO LED ATTACK (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Thursday The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, has announced that the King has approved the following immediate operational awards to personnel of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations in the South Pacific r.rea: — Distinguished Service Order.—Major Arthur Beecher Bullen, of Auckland. Distinguished Conduct Medal. —Sergeant Gilbert Henry Ilessby and Corporal Philip Anzac Davidson. Military Medal. —Private John Herbert Jefferis, of Huiitly, and Private William Thomas Augustus Aylward. of Auckland. Splendid Leadership The citation to Major Bullen's award states that at Green island on February 20 he was in command of a company during an attack on a position in the vicinity of Tanaheran village. In spite of heavy fire from machine-guns, mortars and grenades, he led his company to within striking distance of the position and deployed his platoons in such a way that the enemy was forced into a small pocket on the coast. As there was then little daylight left, Major Bullen decided to assault the position in order to prevent the enemy escaping in the darkness. Having brought his platoons to within 30 yards of the position, at a given signal he personally led the attack, which succeeded in destroying (10 of the enemy. Major Bullen's action in organising and directing the attack, regardless of his personal safety, was an inspiration to his men and an outstanding example of .splendid leadership

Major Bullen was born at (Jtahuhu. He enlisted in 1940 and was commissioned in the following November. He nroceeded to Fiji in May, 1941, and in November. 1942. was transferred to the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Pacific. He attained his present rank in December, 1943. His wife is Mrs. J. A. Bullen, of Papatoetoe. Enemy Fire Silenced The following is a description of the act of bravery which won for Private Jefferis the Military Medal at Green Island: — On January 31, 1944. Private Jefferis was a member of a barge reconnaissance party. On approaching within 30 yards of a beach south of the Pokonian plantation the barge came suddenly under heavy machine-gun fire, which killed the platoon commander and the coxswain, Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Private Jefferis immediately stood up and engaged the enemy with a Bren gun. which silenced the fire. This prompt act enabled the barge to be cleared from the danger area and prevented the enemy from inflicting further casualties. The conduct of Private Jefferis throughout the action was highly commendable and a splendid example of devotion to duty. Private Jefferis was born at Pukekohe. In civil life he was a farmer at Huntly. His father is Mr. W. J. Jefferis. of Waere-nga. Fine Example to Comrades The citation in respect of the award of the Military Medal to Private Aylward is as follows: "At Green Island on January 31, 1944, Private Aylward was one of a party in a barge giving covering fire by rifle and grenade to a platoon which was making a flank attack on an enemy position on a beach. In spite of heavy machine-gun fire at close range, he continued bombing with such good effect that the enemy fire was silenced. The barge was then attacked by six enemy dive-bomb-ers, which killed a gunner and splintered the barge in several places. Private Aylward, without hesitation, manned a machine-gun and regardless of his own safety, continued to engage enemy aircraft until they dispersed. His devotion to duty throughout the action was a splendid example to his comrades." Aylward was born at Dannevirke. He served for five years in the Royal New Zealand Navy. He joined the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force and left New Zealand in 1942 for service in the Pacific. In civil life he was employed in Auckland. SOVIET MEDAL FOR VALOUR CORPORAL JOHN DENVIR (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Thursday Advice has been received that Corporal John Denvir, of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, whose remarkable adventures with the Yugoslavian Partisan Army, in which he was a battalion commander for a period, were recently published, has been awarded the Soviet Medal for Valour. Corporal Denvir enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the war and went to the Middle East with the Second Echelon. He fought- in Libya and then in Greece, where he was taken prisoner by the Germans. He escaped and joined the Yugoslav Partisans. He was officially presumed dead for a year. He is now back with the New Zealand forces. His wife. .Mrs. E. J Denvir, lives at Christchurch. COMMUNITY CENTRE DARGAVILLE SCHEME A movement for the establishment of a community centre in Dargaviile is gaining impetus. Delegates from practically every public body and institution iu the district have been formed into a pi a ruling committee, whieli is seeking the best expert advice before launching a long-term plan of development. The health centre and community centres movements have been drawn into mutual support, and it is hoped to see the same trend followed in other towns in the province. From Monday to Thursday next, inclusive, will be "Community Week" in Dargaviile, where conferences will bo held at which addresses will be given by medical, educational, health, architectural and other authorities. Opportunity is to be given for the expression of public opinion and the framing of remits to the national conference on adult education being convened by the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, and to be held in August. BURGLARS OPEN SAFE Wh en burglars broke into the premises of P. G. Wolfe and Sons, coopers and manufacturers, at 5 Gillies Avenue, Epsom, on Wednesday night, they ransacked the office and used a hand truck to remove the safe to the centre of the factory. There they smashed it open with a crowbar and stole about £ls. Books and documents and a large parcel of bomber bonds which were in the safe were not taken.