GALLANT AIRMAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25394, 27 November 1943, Page 4

GALLANT AIRMAN

D.F.C. FOR DUNEDIN OFFICER POSTHUMOUS AWARD s Advice has been received by Mr A. W. Rawlings, of Ravensbourne, of the posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to his son, Flight Lieutenant Raymond Charles Rawlings, who lost his life in air operations over the Continent recently. Flight Lieutenant Rawlings was born in England, and came to Ravensbourne with his parents at the age of six years. He received his education at the Ravensbourne and King Edward Technical Schools, and served his appren-

ticeship as a printer with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, Ltd., Dunedin. He was later transferred to the firm's Wellington branch, and it was from there that he enlisted in April, 1941. After gaining his “wings” in New Zealand) he went to England, via Canada, and reported for duty at a base in the south of England. On completion of his operational training, he was posted to a bomber squadron on the east coast of England. Some five weeks prior to his death he was present at the funeral in Edinburgh of his brother, Pilot Officer Leslie Rawlings, who was accidentally killed whilst on manoeuvres. Accompanying the notification of the award is the following citation received from the Air Ministry in London through the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones: —“ Flight Lieutenant Rawlings completed many sorties against some of the most heavily-defended enemy targets, such as Berlin, Essen, Hamburg, and Duisburg. On one occasion he was detailed to attack Bochum. When nearing the target his aircraft was heavily engaged by anti-aircraft fire, and became badly damaged. With the utmost determination he pressed home his attack and flew the damaged bomber back to base. Flight Lieutenant Rawlings consistently displayed fine fighting spirit, oiitstanding courage, and great devotion to duty.”