AIR HONOURS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25208, 24 April 1943, Page 4

AIR HONOURS

NINE AWARDS ANNOUNCED NEW ZEALANDERS OVERSEAS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Apl. 23. Efficient airmanship and examples of great determination and courage are recorded in the citations accompanying the awards of-a bar to the D.F.C., four additional crosses, and four D.F.M.’s to members of the R.N.Z.A.F. serving overseas. The awards are as follows: Bar to D.F.C. Acting Flight Lieutenant Cyrii Keith Silcock; father, Mr F. T. y Silcock, of Nelson. D.F.C. Acting Flight Lieutenant Frederick Hilton; father, Mr J. Hilton, England. Acting Flight Lieutenant Richard James Lyall Powell; mother, Mrs E. Powell, Auckland. Acting Flight Lieutenant Richard Stansfield Derek Kearns, D.F.M.; father, Mr J. T. Kearns, Reefton. Flying Officer Jack Marshall; mother, Mrs E. M. Marshall, Napier. D.F.M. Flight Sergeant Kenneth Smith; mother, Mrs E. M. Smith, Auckland. Acting Flight Sergeant Morris Watson Egerton; wife, Mrs C. M. Egerton, Southland. Flight Sergeant Andrew John Moller; father, Mr J. R. Moller, Hawera. Flight Sergeant Harold Ernest Anzac Price; father. Mr J. Price. Invercargill. The citations in respect of the officers state:— , Flight Lieutenant Silcock has earned out many sorties since he was awarded the D.F.C. in October, 1942. He 'has displayed consistent coolness and deliberation in planning and great determination in the execution of his tasks. Taking part in the forty-second raid on Stuttgart, he flew low throughout the journey, and on the return flight successfully machine-gunned six trains. Flight Lieutenant Silcock was bom at Nelson in 1915 and was educated at Nelson College and the Nelson Technical School. He enlisted in 1940. Flight Lieutenant Hilton’s coolness and perseverance have made him a valuable and reliable member of the crew of his aircraft. Several times he has shown fine navigational skill by precise timing in reaching the target regardless of the distance or enemy opposition. Flight Lieutenant Hilton was born in England, and came to New Zealand as a building trade operative. He enlisted early in the war. Flight Lieutenant Powell has served in operations over Germany and Italy and also in attacks on the German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau* when they were at Brest. Because of his exceptional skill as a navigator, he was made an instructor, in which capacity his leadership has contributed in a large degree to the success of his squadron. He was born in Auckland in 1909 and educated at the Auckland Grammar School. He enlisted in 1940. , Flight Lieutenant Kearns has, by efficient airmanship and a consistently high standard of keenness and courage, set a high example to the other members of his squadron. He has always shown high qualities as a pilot _on numerous operational missions against Germany and Italy. He was born at Reefton and educated there. He enlisted in 1941. He won the New Zealand University middle-weight boxing championship in 1940. Flying Officer Marshall has set a high standard of keenness and reliability throughout a long and successful operational career. He has always shown enthusiasm and a desire to engage the enemy, and his dependability has made him a valuable member of his air crew. When a sergeant gunner. Flying Officer Marshall was reported missing in November, 1940. but was picked Up from the sea the following day. He was born in England m 1920, and enlisted in New Zealand ill 1940. Flight Sergeants Decorated

Flight Sergeant Smith was born at Auckland in 1913. and was educated at the Mount Albert Grammar School. He began his training as a pilot in February, 1941, and' left for overseas in August, 1941. The citation stated: “ Flight Sergeant Smith is a courageous captain and an inspiring example to the rest of his crew. He has completed several operational missions, in which he has shown outstanding determination.” , , Flight Sergeant Egerton, who was born at Winton in 1915 and was educated at the Winton and Riverton District High Schools, was trained as an air gunner in New Zealand and Canada, and left for overseas service in September, 1941. “He always shown courage, devotion to duty, and outstanding technical skill, and has had a long and successful record in operational flying over enemy territory, says the citation. .. Born in 1922, Flight Sergeant Moller was educated at the Hawera Technical High School. He began training as an air gunner in March, 1941. According to the citation, he has a fine operational record as a bombardier, and his skill has-been responsible for the success of his crews. Flight Sergeant Price, who was slightly injured during operations in June of last year, was born at Athol and educated in Southland. He was trained as an air gunner in New Zealand and Canada before leaving for service overseas. “He has taken part in many sorties against heavilydefended' targets with efficiency and keenness." states the citation.