BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 24, 11 October 1940, Page 5

BRAVERY IN THE AIR

Award Of Distinguished Flying Cross NEW ZEALAND OFFICER r l he Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Pilot Officer Frank Henderson Denton, -Greymouth. No details concerning the. official citation have been received from the New Zealand Liaison Officer, Air Ministry, but 8.8. C. and Press reports state 'that Pilot Officer Denton has participated in 24 major bombing raids. The following particulars have been released by the Director of Publicity : — An example of his great resource and daring was quoted when he successfully attacked Chartres aerodrome at a very low altitude, though the enemy tried to tempt him by a dummy flare path. On another occasion, failing to locate a target in the Ruhr because of severe weather, he decided to attack docks and shipping at Flushing., He broke cloud at 1000 feet and, through a devastating curtain of lire, released his bombs at an altitude so low that the force of the explosion rocketed the plane hundreds of feet He. saw large explosions and many fires. He brought his aircraft back to his base with difficulty. There were gaping holes in each wing. Pilot Officer Denton is officially described as a determined and courageous captain, and carries the complete confidence of his crew and associates. Pilot Officer Denton is 23 years of age and was born in Greymouth. He was educated at the Greymouth Technical High School, and was prominent in many sporting activities. He entered the Public Works Department after leaving school, and became a member of the Greymouth Aero Club, later joining the Civil Reserve of Pilots. He was selected for a short service commission in 1939, and received preliminary. training with the Royal New Zealand Air Force at Wigram. He left for the United Kingdom to join the Royal Air Force at the end of 1939. His father is Mr. F. H.'Denton, well known as the town clerk of Greymouth.