SPIRIT OF DEVOTION TO DUTY

Southland Times, Issue 24356, 10 February 1941, Page 6

SPIRIT OF DEVOTION TO DUTY

SHOWN BY ALL RANKS IN BRITAIN (British Official Wireless) (Received February 9, 5.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 8. That the Nazi conception of total warfare evokes a spirit of gallant devotion in all ranks in -Britain, whether combatant or civil, is continually shown by the awards for bravery which include members of every type of profession and occupation. The latest instance is the conferring of the medal of the British Empire Order on two civilian telephone operators, named Bone and McCullough, employed at an Air Ministry out station. The official account says that an R.A.F. station was dive-bombed by about 20 enemy aircraft. Bone and McCullough remained at their post, which was only partially protected, until the windows, door and roof collapsed. Bone received superficial scalp wounds and injuries to a shoulder and forearm, which incapacitated him for two weeks. McCullough suffered a superficial scalp wound, but after receiving attention returned to the telephone exchange and continued his duties. Although unexploded bombs dropped on a roadway outside the telephone exchange, McCullough carried on with his duties. Both men displayed unselfish devotion to duty without regard to personal safety.