GRATEFUL PEOPLE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 2, 31 August 1945, Page 8

GRATEFUL PEOPLE

TRIBUTE TO N.Z. AIRMAN Friends and relatives in the Bay of Plenty of the late Fit. Lieut. Levy, son of Mrs L. J. Levy of Wellington, will lie interested in the following information contained in a newspaper clipping which was handed in to this office : "In a letter to Mrs L. J. Levy, a Squadron Leader of the Royal Air Force describes the 'very dignified simple little ceremony' which took place at the school in Potton BedEngland, when a photograph of her son, the late Fit. Lieut. R. V. Levy was unveiled. The townspeople of Potton had previously recorded their deep appreciation of the New Zealand airman's gallantry in lifting clear of the school the Stirling bomber be was piloting, and which had burst into flames, over the town. Flight Lieutenant Levy and his four companions w r ere killed when the plane crashed in a field."

A second clipping mentions •• let r ter received from Alderman F. W. Braj r broo'ks ? J.P„ concerning the sum of £100 raised by the townspeople towards' the Royal Air Force. Benevolent Fund in recognition of the airman's action. The letter states:

"Never in my and I have knowm the parish for 75 years has a collection been made where there has. been such goodwill and willingness to subscribe. . . . This is without doubt, an outstanding case illustrating the bravery of these young men and their willingness at all times to sacrifice their own lives if in so doing ( they can spare those of innocent civilians. The. bravery of your son will long live in the minds of the inhabitants of this parish."