AWARD TO PICTON AIRMAN

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 8

AWARD TO PICTON AIRMAN

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 20. For “gallantry and devotion to duty,” Corporal C. B. G. Knight, of Picton, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. He is the ftrst airman or non-commissioned officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force to receive a decoration, although other New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have won awards. Corporal Knight is a son of Mrs K. E. Knight, Otago street, Picton, and is 27 years of age. He was formerly a corporal in the Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles, transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937. Previously he was employed with the Post and Telegraph Department at Seddon. In February 1939, Knight was sent to the United Kingdom as a wireless operator for service with the Vickers “Wellington” bombers, which were being flown to New Zealand. Then, together with other personnel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force who were in Britain, he was made available to the Air Ministry for employment with the Royal Air Force, with which some hundreds of New Zealanders were already serving. No details are available regarding the circumstances under which Knight won the Distinguished Flying Medal other than the official statement “for gallantry and devotion to duty.”