FLYING CROSS AWARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 8, 25 September 1942, Page 5

FLYING CROSS AWARD

OPOTIKI AIRMAN "". 1 GALLANTRY AT DIEPPE "xam Official advice of the lirst award to a New Zealand airman for outstanding services in air support of the Dieppe action has been received. He is Flying-Officer Renton Stewart Rutherford, R.N.Z.A.F., of Opotiki, avlio has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The citation says Flying-Officer Rutherford displayed courage, skill and devotion to duty of the highest order in successfully accomplishing most dangerous, risky and vital Avorit. On the night of August 19 he was navigator in the leading aircraft cf a bombing formation, whose mission was to release smoke bombs to screen troops landing on beaches near Dieppe. Upon the accuracy of this initial smoke sortie depended the success of subsequent smokelaying operations and in a great measure the success and safety of the entire combined operation.

In spite of many disadvantages and hazards, Flying-Officer Rutherford successfully furnished his pilot with accurate navigational guidance and thus led the whole formation right through the operation without mishap. Born in Edinburgh in 1909, Flying-Officer Rutherford came to New Zealand in 1928 and engaged in farming. He was (educated at Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh, and the Hertfordshire Agricultural College. He was farm manager at Toatoa, Opotiki, before he began training as an observer toward the end of 1940. JJe was promoted to flying-officer in July, 1942 His wife is Mrs F. K. EL Rutherford of Toatoa.