HIGH AWARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25275, 12 July 1943, Page 2

HIGH AWARDS

«4t» NOTABLE FAMILY RECORDS GALLANT DOMINION AIRMEN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 11. Details have been received by* the Air Department. Wellington, of two awards announced last month, the D.S.O. to Squadron Leader Colin Falkland Gray, D.F.C. and bar, R.A.F., formerly of Gisborne, and the D.F.C. to Flying Officer James Menzies Smith, R.N.Z.A.F., of Te Awamutu. Besides telling the story of fighter and bomber operational flying, the details bring into prominence the fact that two or more sons of six New Zealand families have all received air awards overseas. Squadron Leader Gray’s D.S.O. brings the total air awards held by the Gray family to five for two sons. Squadron Leader Gray received the D.F.C. as a pilot officer in October, 1940, the bar to the Cross as a flight lieutenant one year later, and his latest award as a squadron leader in June last. His brother, the late Pilot Officer Kenneth Neil Gray, D.F.C.. R.N.Z.A.F.. received his D.F.C. in January. 1940, and later he'received the Czech Wai Cross.

The citation of Squadron Leader Gray’s D.S.O. states that this officer is a first-class fighter, who by his personal example has fostered a fine fight* ing spirit in his squadron. In the North African operations he took part in many sorties, destroying five enemy aircraft and bringing his total destruction to 21 enemy aircraft. His leadership has been inspiring. Born in Christchurch in 1914, Squaddron Leader Gray was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, Wellesley College, Wellington, and the Napier Boys’ High School. In 1938 he was accepted for a short-service commission in the R.A.F. In June last Flying Officer Smith was awarded the D.F.C. Twelve months earlier, in June. 1942, his brother, the late Acting Flight Lieutenant Jack Menzies Smith, R.N.Z.A.F., received the D.F.M. He was then a flight sergeant. . Flying Officer James Smith's citation states that the majority of the numerous sorties in which he has participated have been against very heavily defended targets. In adverse weather he has taken part in successful night raids on Danzig and Le Creusot. Throughout his operational career he has displayed a high degree of devotion to duty and quiet efficient determination in pressing home his attacks with complete disregard of personal danger. Flying Officer Smith was born at Frarikton in 1915, and educated at the Te Awamutu District High School. He began his R.N.Z.A.F. pilot training in 1940, and was commissioned in 1942. He is two years older than his late brother Jack, and his mother is Mrs R. J. Smith, of Te'Awamutu. Notable among the other four New Zealand families whose sons have won. air awards is that of Mrs L. Cowan, of Hastings, who has had three sons decorated. Those with two sons decorated by the Air Force are Dr and Mrs A L. Singer, of Gisborne, Mr and Mrs A C. Gawith, Masterton, and Mr and Mrs E. J. Herrick, of Hastings.