THE FIRST V.C.

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22063, 9 September 1941, Page 8

THE FIRST V.C.

Wanganui Airman

Honoured By Comrades

LONDON, August 13.

“He has brought honour to himself, to 75 Squadron, and to th 3 Dominion which he represents. We are proud of him. His name will live in history. He will get a great welcome when he goes back to New Zealand.” Tire High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, paid this tribute to Sergeant J. A. Ward, V.C., of Wanganui, when he attended a smoke concert given in the 22-year-old New Zealander’s honour in the sergeants’ mess. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, was unable to be present as he was attending a War Cabinet meeting, but he met Sergeant Ward when he visited the squadron two days later.

Tribute to Courage

“We admire his courage, his quick thought and quick action,” said Mr Jordan. He also congratulated the Canadian D.F.C. winner who piloted the Wellington.bomber while the New Zealander was attempting to put ont the fire in the wing, and Sergeant A. R. J. Box, of Auckland, who shot down the Messerschmitt 110 which had made the attack.

Mr Jordan paid a tribute to the New Zealand Bomber Squadron. “It is a great squadron,” he said, “and truly representative of the Dominion. I am proud to be able to meet its members." Referring to the fact that is was the last evening on which Group Captain M. W. Buckley, M.8.E., of Fairlie, would be in-command of the station before being transferred, Mr Jordan said he joined officers and men in their

universal regret at the departure of such a popular officer. “I am sorry and you are sorry that he is going, but he has been chosen to do a big job of work,” he said. Tire High Commissioner also paid a tribute to the work done for the squadron by Wing Commander C. E. Kay, D.F.C. Work of Ground Staff In answer to a chorus of “Speech, speech!” Group Captain Buckley said: “I would much rather stay here with you all, for I have enjoyed myself with you. I shall always be looking for news of you and wondering what work you are doing. I would like to thank you for the privilege of being here to-night when you are entertaining Sergeant Ward. I regard it as a great honour that his award should have been made during my term as commanding officer.”

Sergeant Ward, who was chaired into the mess to the time of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” was also called on for a speech. The entire mess, officers and sergeants combined, chanted “We want Jimmie Ward.”

The Wanganui boy, who was wearing his V.C. ribbon and its miniature bronze medal, thanked the mess and said: “We have got here to-night a number of chaps hiding themselves in a corner who have done more than we have ever done. They are the ground crews who look after our kites. They do not get anything like this. There are no V. C.’s for them, but if they did not do a first-class job for us. as they all do, you would not get back. Those chaps keep our kites in first-class order.”

Sergeant Ward, who is unassuming and modest, is most popular with the entire squadron, who are proud of him and the honour he has brought to the squadron. Previously he had been the guest of the officers in their mess. Telegrams and letters have reached him in a flood. His first telegram congratulating him on the award came from Mr Jordon. He also received one from the Governor-General. Sir Cyril Newall.