NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN DECORATED

Southland Times, Issue 24755, 28 May 1942, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN DECORATED

(Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Squadron Leader George Gatonby Stead, R.A.F. The citation says: “He has completed over 6000 hours of flying, of which 800 were operational. He is the most brilliant and reliable pilot and navigator of his squadron, who, as a result of his qualifications, is always given the hardest tasks calling for special skill. He has carried out day and night operations over the Shetlands, Iceland, the Mediterranean and West Africa. Squadron Leader Stead, whose home is now in London, was bom in Hastings in 1911. He was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, and was commissioned in 1930, transferred to the reserve in 1934 and called up for service in 1940. He was promoted squadron leader in September 1941 and acting wing-com-mander in March 1942.”

Flight-Sergeant James Fraser Barron, R.N.Z.A.F., has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. His citation says: “He has completed many operational flights as captain of an aircraft, including attacks on Berlin, Frankfurt, Bremen and Brest. He has proved most reliable, efficient and courageous, pressing home attacks regardless of opposition. Flight-Sergeant Barron was bom in Dunedin in 1921. His home is in Palmerston South. He was a clerk before his enlistment in 1940 for training as a pilot under the Commonwealth training plan.” Sergeant George Henry Dow, R.N.Z.A.F., has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. The citation states: “He has attained a high standard as navigator and bomb aimer. His operations, including a daylight attack on Brest, have been successfully completed, often in adverse weather. Sergeant Dow was born at Gravesend in 1910 and his home is in Wellington. He was an accounting clerk before his enlistment in 1940 for training as an observer under the Commonwealth training plan.”