COOLNESS AND COURAGE

Southland Times, Issue 24861, 29 September 1942, Page 4

COOLNESS AND COURAGE

HOW SERGEANT BRANKS WON M.M. The citation covering the award of the Military Medal to Sergeant A. L. Branks, of Invercargill, says that he was in charge of stretcher-bearers and took a truck up and down a battalion line of advance in the face of heavy machine-gun and mortar fire on the night of July 21. He was largely responsible for the evacuation of 64 wounded men. His coolness, courage and tireless energy were an inspiring example to the remainder of the stretcher-bearers. Sergeant Branks is well known in Invercargill. He was for many years the driver of the ambulance in the city, both when it was supplied by the St. John Ambulance Association and later when it was taken over by the Southland Hospital Board. He was also a prominent member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and by last year his length of service had entitled him to the long service medal of the brigade. Sergeant Branks, who is 36 years of age, is a son of Mrs E. Branks, of Winton, and the late Mr A. Branks. He was born at Invercargill and educated at the South School and . the Southland Technical College. After leaving school he was apprenticed to the engineering trade and served his time with Booth, Macdonald and Co., Ltd. He volunteered for service and left New Zealand with the 3rd Echelon just oyer two years ago. He was then a private in the 6th Field Ambulance, but in Egypt he transferred to a rifle battalion. His intimate knowledge of first aid was still utilized by the Army authorities, however, in giving lectures to the troops on the subject. He took part in the Greek campaign and also in the fighting in Libya. He was slightly wounded in Libya, and was for a month a prisoner of war in Benghazi, being among those released when the town was recaptured from the Axis forces. Sergeant Branks is married and his wife and young son live in Invercargill.