BOYS OVERSEAS

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 4044, 22 September 1944, Page 2

BOYS OVERSEAS

ROLL OF HONOUR FLYING-OFFICER .1. G. COX Flying-Officer John Grant Cox, R.N.Z.A.F. who was earlier reported missing, is now officially posted as missing, believed killed. Flying-Officer Cox was a son of Mr and Mrs John B. Cox, Te Rapa, and was born at Cambridge about 22 years ago. He received his secondary education at the Hamilton Technical High School. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in May, 1942, and about six months later went to Canada for further training, where he gained his wings and a commission, and married a Canadian girl. He went early this year to Britain and was flying bombers until lie was reported missing on operations.

PRESUMED DEAD. FLYING-OFFICER R. W. SAMPSON Posted missing about 12 months ago, a further posting was recently announced that Flying-Officer Richard Webb Sampson, of Te Miro, Cambridge, was presumed dead. The late Flying-Officer, who was a son of Mr P. W. Sampson, of Te Miro, was a popular farmer and sportsman of this district. He was a keen member of the Waikato When he was posted missing this When he wa sposted missing this news followed an operational flight over France. Missing, Believed Killed.

We regret too, that in a recent casualty list, appeared the name of another former Cambridge boy, an airman, in A. C. Fletcher, son of Mr. Dan Fletcher, of Auckland. Older residents will recall that Mr Fletcher was a tobacconist in Cambridge and that his son was a member of the local P. and T. staff. Returned To Cambridge.

Among Servicemen to return to Cambridge recently was Warrant Officer W. H. (Digger) Duignan, who returns home on furlough after about four years service with the R.A.F. in India. Prior to going overseas he was on the staff of the Union Bank and with / his brother Carl, he resided with Mr and Mrs Hounslow, of Leamington. He left New Zealand for service as a member of the R.N.Z.A.F. .1

Sgt. Peter Murtagh, M.M., has also recently returned on furlough after lengthy service with the Middle East Forces, lie is a son of Mrs Murtagh snr., of Chaucer St., Leamington.

Another recently returned soldier from the Middle East is Cpl. Peter Tairi, son of Mr Dan. Tairi, of Maungatautari. Cpl. Tairi, who was also known as Peter Daniel.I}, 1 }, was in the South Island when he enlisted. He went away with an early Maori reinforcement and had seen about four years service. He is receiving a royal welcome home from the people of Maungatautari. Mention In Despatches.

Among a number of Middle East awards Driver W. F. Andrews, of

Cambridge, is mentioned in despatches. Dvr. William Frank Andrews is the son of Mr and Mrs A. Andrews, of Thornton Road. He returned to New Zealand on March 7 last and is now working in Auckland. 1)\"\ Andrews was a prisoner-of-war for a year and 10 months, but finally escaped through Yugoslavia.