AIR FORCE AWARDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21867, 21 January 1941, Page 10

AIR FORCE AWARDS

Posthumous D.F.C. to New Zealander By Telegrapn—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 18. Pilot-Officer Heslop Miles Frederick Bamitt, of New Plymouth, who was killed in an aircraft accident last October, has been posthumcusly awarded the Distinguished Plying Cross. The citation stated that since June he completed over 100 hours of fighter patrols on convoy and covering evacuation from Berbers. He also made two very successful reconnaissance flights over enemy aerodromes in Abyssinia. On one occasion Pilot-Officer Bamitt pursued a formation of five planes back into enemy territory. He always pressed home his attacks with courage and determination. One day in October he attacked three enemy 'planes which were bombing a convoy over which he was patrolling in the Gulf of Aden. One enemy ’plane was so damaged that it later crashed into the sea. He twice attacked another plane, but was forced to break off the engagement when his port engine was hit. Australian Honoured Among the Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East, was one given to Squadron-Leader William Hickey, who has since been killed in action. Squadron-Leader Hickey, an Australian, was seconded from the Royal Australian Air Force for five years’ attachment under the pre-war scheme for the interchange of pilots. Given command of a squadron ft the Middle East in August !-e was an outstandfhg success and when moved to Greece about two months ago his squadron accounted for 42 enemy aircraft in battle. Squadron-Leader Hickey was distinguished for the great concern he felt for his pilots. Just before his death he saw a pilot badly wounded bale out of a 'plane in mountainous country. Directing Greek soldiers to the place where the pilot landed by flying around it, Squadron-Leader Hickey himself landed some distance away and superintended the removal of tl wounded man to hospital, staying with him throughout the night to assure himself that his comrade received every possible attention. When dawn came Squadron-7 -sader Hickey returned to his squadron. A few hours later he was killed leading it into a heavy engagement with the enemy. Third Decoration Presented The King to-day held an investiture at an aerodrome in East Anglia, when 24 officers were decorat'd. Among them was Flight-Lieutenant Allard, who won the Distinguished Flying Medal when a flight-sergeant and the Distinguished Flying Cross after being commissioned. He received a bar to his D.F.C. to-day. Two members of the Royal Air Force, Sergeants Sidney Roy Garrard and Thomas Leonard Mumby, have been awarded the DM