NEW ZEALANDERS WIN HONOURS

Southland Times, Issue 24439, 20 May 1941, Page 8

NEW ZEALANDERS WIN HONOURS

Courage And Devotion

To Duty

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service)

CAIRO, April 22.. A magnificent tale of bravery in the face of the enemy that should capture the imagination of everyone at home is hidden behind the awards listed below for men of the Motor Reserve Transport Company of the New Zealand Army Corps. Since the bare announcement of the honours earned by these men details have become available which show that their acts rank as outstanding examples of courage and reveal a spirit of daring that would be difficult indeed to better. It is a recognition, too, of the very great admiration in which New Zealand drivers were held in the Western Desert offensive.

The Reserve Motor Transport Company were associated with British and Indian formations and earned generous praise for their very fine work in the carrying of troops and supplies. They never failed to “get through” despite sandstorms and constant bombing. Details of the awards are as follows: Lieutenant Alan Lionel Lomas, M.C., of the N.Z. Medical Corps, attached Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. During operations on December 9 this young New Zealand doctor was attached to a Brigade of an Indian Division. At Tummar West he attended wounded in the open under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. He displayed great coolness and courage and continued to do so throughout the operations of that day. On the 10th December he worked unceasingly from 1.30 p.m. to 3 a.m. the following day without food or rest, and set a fine example of devotion to duty which was an inspiration to those around him. (Awarded January 15, 1941). Lieutenant Frederick Henry Muller, M.C., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. During operations at

Tummar West on December 9, 10 and 11, 1940, this officer led his section of 33 lorries containing a battalion of Fusiliers to within 30 yards of the Italian perimeter defences under artillery and machine-gun fire. As he brought his lorries to a standstill the Fusiliers leapt off and, with light machine-guns blazing from their hips and with bayonets fixed, the enemy was overwhelmed. The speedy success of the operation was in no small part due to the cool courage and leadership displayed by Lieutenant Muller. (Awarded January 20, 1941). Driver Norman Jack Pritchard, M.M., H.Q., N.Z.A.S.C., attached Reserve Motor Transport Company. During operations at Tummar West on December 9, 10 and 11, 1940, this soldier worked as a medical orderly for 36 hours for the greater part of the time under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. He showed great coolness and tireless energy setting an example of courage and devotion to duty. (Awarded January 20, 1941). Driver George William Corp, M.M., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C. On December 9, 1940, at Tummar West, this soldier drove his vehicle containing troops of an Indian Division to within 30 yards of the Italian parapet under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. The Indians tumbled out of the truck and went into the attack. Driver Corp went to an exposed position and carried a wounded soldier to the cover of his truck. Throughout the operation he displayed conspicuous coolness and courage. (Awarded January 20, 1941.) Sergeant Richard Heyward Thom-

son, D.C.M., Reserve Motor Transport Company, N.Z.A.S.C., attached to an Indian Division. This N.C.O. was in charge of the convoy carrying troops of an Indian Rifle Regiment in the advance to attack Tummar East on December 9, 1940. As the advance proceeded, an enemy counter attack developed on the flank. With the greatest disregard of danger, he calmly wheeled the convoy and proceeded under a hail of machine-gun fire until ordered to stop. When the troops “debussed” and went into the attack he attached himself to a bren-gun section. The Indians accepted his leadership and followed him into a bold attack against, an enemy machine-gun post, which they succeeded in capturing. His example was an inspiration to our Indian Allies. (Awarded December 31, 1940.) Sergeant Peter Gillespie Wilson, M.M., Reserve Motor Transport Company N.Z.A.S.C. This N.C.O. was in charge of a detachment of motor transport which acted as troop-carriers for an Indian Rifle Regiment during operations from December 9 —12, 1940. In the attack on Tummar East he displayed complete disregard for danger and imbued everyone with whom he came in contact with a spirit of confident optimism which went far towards making the operations a success. On December 9 he joined in the fighting and, when Tummar East was occupied, he gave a magnificent example of courage during a period of two and a-half hours when under shell fire. (Awarded January 20, 1941).