BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 15, 9 August 1940, Page 6

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Six More Awards To New Zealanders CAREERS OF RECIPIENTS The gazetting of six more awards to New Zealanders serving with the Royal ■ j Air Force brings the total of such awards since the outbreak of war to approximately 25. The following additional particulars concerning the latest recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Flying Medal have been released by the Director of Publicity : — Squadron Leader E. W. Whitley, D.F.C., left New Zealand in 1930 for the United Kingdom, where he joined the R.A.F. in December of that year. After an excellent record of service he was promoted to his present rank. He is 31 years of age, married and has two children. Pilot Officer lan Ernest Parsons, D.F.C., was born in Christchurch 27 years ago and was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, gain-’ ing his matriculation and a Canterbury College Bursary. He entered Canterbury University College, to study law and commerce, and took a prominent part in cricket and football activities He joined the Canterbury Aero Club, gaining his “A” licence in 1932. For two years he was an officer in the Public Trust, resigning to apply for a commission in the RA F. He left for the United Kingdom in 1933. While serving with the R.A.F. he took a conspicuous part in service football activities. representing the R.A.F. during the 1938-39 season, and last year representing England in the international match against* Scotland on March 18. Pilot Officer Neil Hyland Svenson, I D.F.C., was born in Pukekohe and is

25 years of age. He was educated at the Pukekohe Technical High School, where he matriculated. After leaving school he became keenly interested in the volunteer Territorial military forces, and he served with the Auckland Regiment in the rank of 2nd. Lieutenant. He was selected for a short service commission with the R.A.F. in 1937, and left for.the United Kingdom in August of that year. Pilot Officer William Trigance, D.F.C., was born in Temuka and will celebrate his 26th birthday shortly. He was educated at the Temuka District High School,, where he matriculated. For three years be was employed by the South Canterbury Electric Power Board, leaving to accept' a short service commission with the R.A.F. in 1937. '

Sergeant Asher Reece, D.F.M., was born in Christchurch, and is 25 years of age. lie was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School and the Christchurch Technical College. After leaving school he joined his father as a landscape architect. Fie was accepted into the Royal Air Force in 1938, and left for the United Kingdom in April of that year.

Sergeant Edwin Peter JVilliams. D.F.M., who will celebrate his 24th birthday. next month, was born in Rotorua and educated at St. Stephen’s Boys’ School, near Auckland, where he matriculated. At school he was prominent in the" cadet corps, attaining the rank of company sergeant-major. He was a well-known amateur radio enthusiast. He was employed for a period by Pan-American Airways at Auckland, leaving in 1938 to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a wireless operator. He left to join the R.A.F. for

training in January last year. In the same group was Corporal C. B. G. Knight, of Nelson, who was awarded the, D.F.M. last February for conspicuous bravery.