BATTLE AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 82, 18 July 1941, Page 7

BATTLE AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Distinguished Services

OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN DESERT

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.)

■ . CAIRO, July 7. Z His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned honours and awards, recommended by the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, in a dispatch on the operations in the Western Desert, Libya, and Cyrenaica, from December, 1940, to February, 1941

Officer of the Order of the British Empire: Major George Harold Whyte. Mrs. G. E. Whyte (wife), care 11. J. Maisey, 12 Emerson Street, Berham pore, Wellington.

Member of the Order of the British Empire: Lieutenant (temporary Captain) George Douglas Pollock. Mrs. M. F. Pollock (wife), 40 Kohl marama Road, Auckland.

\ Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service: Corporal Albert Alexander Gilmore. Mrs. M. E. Gilmore (mother), Glen brook, Waiuku.

\ Military Cross: Captain James Alexander McAlpine (since deceased) Mrs. W. K. McAlpine (mother), Spye, R.M., Waipara. z

Distinguished Conduct Medal: Corporal Lawrence Hamilton Browne Mrs. E. V. M. Browne (wife), care Mrs. Fitzgeorge, Karaka Street Eastbourne.

Military Medal: Driver Ronald Irving Alexander Burns. Mrs. M. E. Burns (mother), 14 Avalon Street, Christchurch. Trooper lan Hamilton Mclnnes. Mrs. C. Mclnnes (mother), 19 Roslyn Terrace, Devonport. Corporal Edmund Kennard Madigan. Mrs. E. E.-Madigan (wife), 199 Waimea Road, Nelson.

The following are mentioned for distinguished services:— Lieutenant (temp. Captain) L. B. Ballantyue. Mrs. J. B. Ballantyne (wife), c/o. P.O. Box 200, Makotuku. Lieutenant R. B. McQueen. Mrs. A. L. McQueen (mother), Otaika Road, Whangarei. W.0.11 C.S.M. D. Barrett. Mrs. E. L. Barrett (wife), 37 Myrtle Street. Claudelands, Hamilton. Sergeant J. R. Shepherd. Mr. J. F. Shepherd- (father), 32 Queens Avenue, Hamilton. Corporal F. R. Beech (since deceased). Mr. F. J. Beech (father). Picton. Corporal G. L. Davison. Mrs. E. M. Davison (wife), 16 Princess Street. Whangarei. Lance-Corporal F. Kendall. Mrs. S. 11. Kendall (mother), Kati Kati. . Trooper R. J. Moore, D.C.M. . Mrs A. Moore (mother), Hautapu Streel. Taihape.

Trooper L. F. Mather. Mr. W. J Mather (father), c/o.’-N.Z. Blind In stitute, Auckland. Trooper T. B. McNeiß Mrs. E. McNeil (mother), Allendale Terrace. Wellington. Major F. W. Aickin. Mrs. S- A Aitkin (wife), 28 Anne Street, Wei lingtoh, N2. ' Major L. F. Rudd. Mrs. D. E. Rudd (wife), 27 St. Leonards Road, Mi Eden. Auckland. Sergeant C. J. Flannery. Mr. J. M Flannery (brother), High Street. Wai Lira, Taranaki. Sergeant R. W. Hicks. Mr. AV; C/ Hicks (father). 75 Calgary Street, off Dominion . Road, Mt. Eden. Auckland. Sergeant L. C. Morris. Mrs. A. C. Morris (mother), Manuka Street. Castlecliff, Wanganui. Sergeant A. B. Robinson (since de ceased). Mrs. N. L. Robinson (wife). 190 Leith Street. Dunedin. Lance-Sergeant G. Hope. Mr. J. Hope (father)', Matawai, Gisborne. I Sapper L. 11. i Humberstone. Mrs. A Humberstone " (mother), Rotowaro. Huntly. Sergeant V. S. Tankard. Mr. G. S. Tankard (father), c/o. Mrs. A. Vantier, 9 Dandy Salisbury Street. Christchurch. , . Corporal J. J. Knowles' Mrs. G. 11. Knowles (mother), Uxbridge Road. Howick. ' r : Signalman A. R. A. Butterworth. Mrs. M. R. Butterworth (mother), 11 Campbell Street, Wanganui.

Signalman A. Q. Yanko. Mrs. J. M. Yanko (wife), Victoria Valley, Kai taia. Lieutenant (Acting Captain) D. G Steele. Mrs. W. D. Steele (mother), Simla Crescent, Khandallah, Wellington. Private E. Harcourt, Mrs. M. Har court (mother), 28 Kensington Avenue. Christchurch. Private D. J. Mclnnes. Mr. J. D. Mclnnes (father), 57 Green’s Road.Christchurch. Private R. A. Tinker. Mr. A. Tinker (brother). Takanini, Auckland. Captain G. G. Good. Mrs. L. Good (mother), c/o. Dr. Jones, 20 Normans Road, Christchurch. Captain W. G. S. McDonagh (since deceased). Mr. T. R. McDonagh (brother), Moore Lane, Strensall, York, England. Captain I. E. Stock. Mrs. A. II Stock (wife), 303 Bealey .Avenue. Christchurch. Lieutenant J. T. Wallace (since deceased). Mrs. C. P. Wallace (mother). •9 Johnsonville Road, Wellington. Sergeant S. 11. Matthews. Mr. E. J. Matthews (father), 10 Beaconsfield i-eei. Devonport, Auckland. Corporal O. T. Pussell (since de•eased* Mr. O. Pussell (father). Post

’(lice Kimbolton. Captain A. L. Lomas, M.C. Mr. .1. .1 Lomas (father). P.O. Box 210. New 'lvmouth Citations to Awards. The citations to the awards are as (•Hows: — ■ Major Whyte, as officer' commanding the Fourth Reserve , Motor Trans port ■ Cornpain', rendered most vain able service during tire campaign HL unit was always .maintained at a high derd of efficiency and was con tinually employed in arduous duties and often dangerous roles. The good work of this unit was the subject of many messages of appreciation from formation commanders. The main credit for this high standard was due to Major Whyte, whose personal efficiency was an example and inspiration to the whole unit. Lieutenant Pollock, from December. 1940, to February 15, 1941, has shown excellent powers of leadership and command, thereby encouraging his men in the performance of arduous duties under adverse circumstances.Corporal Gilmore, N.Z.A.S.C., for continuous good work and devotion to duty while in the Western Desert. He

was in charge of three vehicles attached for* a period to tlm 7th' Armoured Division. His role was to carry wooden tank-trap bridging and to negotiate tank traps during the advance. The officer commanding during his attach ment reported that the work was done in an extremely business-like manner, and that the driving was of a particularly high standard. This n.c.o. main tained the standard and did outstand ing work throughout the campaign.

Captain McAlpine, 4th Reserve Motoi Iransport, was subsequently killed in action in Greece. During the operations at Tummar West, on December 9. 1940, .lie led a section of motor transport into the perimeter under artillery and machine-gun fire. He controlled and supervised debussing with great coolness and courage, and set a splendid example to the Indian troops he was carrying throughout the operations. This officer rendered consistently valuable service throughout the campaign, and , was in every way worthy of the decoration.

Corporal Browne, Long Range Desert Group. This n.c.o. displayed exceptional gallantry and resource during the raid on Murzuk on January 11, 1941. He commanded his vehicle most efficiently, and maintained Lewis gun action with coolness and with telling effect on the enemy. His example did much to keep the patrol steady at a critical time, when enemy fire was causing casualties. Though wounded in the, foot, he remained at his post. In the action at Gebel Sherif, south-west of Kufra, on January 31, his coolness was instrumental in saving his vehicle and crew when subjected to a determined low-flying bomb ing and machine-gun attack by enem) aircraft. Throughout all the opera tions in Libya this n.clo. has held tin responsible post of patrol navigator and has shown the utmost devotion to duty.

[Corporal Browne, a native of England. came to Wellington eight years ago. and was employed in the Land and Income Tax Department before en listing. He has been twice wounded. His wife is engaged in war work in Wellington.]

Driver Burns, Supply Column. X.Z.A.S.C. For. consistent good work and devotion to duty. This soldier has been subjected to severe enemy bombing at both headquarters camp and in forward areas. On no occasion has this impaired his devotion to duty efficiency and cheerfulness, or that trait whit h puts him above the ordin ary driver —ability under any circumstances or adversity to ’excel in the work iii hand.

Trooper Mclnnis. Divisional Cavalry. This soldier, senior man of a twoinch mortar crew, was in Hie action on Murzuk on January 11. IL* worked his mortar to within 400 yards of an Italian fort, and maintained it in action with telling effect, causing the fort to catch fire. Though under fire from three directions, he held the posi , tion and continued to bomb rhe target

till he was ordered to withdraw His withdrawal from this dangrioiK position without casualty to the . crew or loss of tiny equipment, while under lose machine-gun tire, was a tine exliiiple of a soldier’s ability

Corporal Madigan, XZ E I'hiX. ('.()., over i lie period from Sepionilier. 1940. to February, 1911, , dnsiroxed .or nade safe upward of 500 enemy ••thermos” bombs and other bombs His work was of a specially ir\in- and dangerous character, ami hi-- limeinitting care and zeal , ensured that his party did its work in tin- Western Desert, Libya, without a s.'iiili/ casualty. '■