ROLL OF HONOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22784, 7 January 1944, Page 4

ROLL OF HONOUR

Lieut.-Col. R. E. Romans,

BRILLIANT MILITARY CAREER Lieutenant-Colonel R. E. Romans, D. 5.0., who recently died of wounds, was a brother of Mr H. C. Romans (headmaster of the Timaru West School) and the youngest son of Mr G. H. Romans, of Arrowtown (who celebrated his hundredth birthday last year). Going overseas with the Second Echelon as a lieutenant. LieutenantColonel Romans gained rapid promotion. As well as being admitted to the Distinguished Service Order he was mentioned in dispatches. He was also wounded in May last year. Lieutenant-Colonel Romans, who was a veteran of all the campaigns of the Second N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery and resolute leadership during the Battle of El Alamein and the advance to Tunisia. The citation accompanying the award, which was an immediate one, stated that while leading the advance towards Nofilia Road on December 17, 1942, Colonel Romans’ quick appreciation and spirited example prevented a dangerous situation from developing and caused the enemy to withdraw in haste. He commanded his battalion with outstanding firmness and skill throughout the whole campaign.

Lieutenant-Colonel Romans received his education at the Arrowtown School and the Gore High School, which he entered in 1923. He took a prominent part in the sporting activities of the school. He passed the matriculation examination in 1929. and was later attached to the staff of Messrs Wright. Stephenson and Co.. Ltd. For some time lie lived at Invercargill, but later he returned to his home town of Arrowtown. where he was manager of his father’s business.