Investiture At Tauranga

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 10, 20 October 1948, Page 5

Investiture At Tauranga

LOCAL CITATIONS (Special to Beacon) Tauranga, Oct. 19. Forty-six awards, civil and military were presented to recipients from the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua districts by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, at the Tauranga Town Hall on Monday evening. Citations covering awards to men in the Whakatane and surrounding districts, follow: Civil Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.) Very Rev. J. G. Laughton, Ohope, in recognition of outstanding services in connection with the new translation of the Maori Bible. Military Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.8.E.), Col. F. Prideaux, Whakatane, for distinguished services as Chief Paymaster 2 N.Z.E.F. and financial adviser to general officer commanding. He “displayed outstanding organising ability, imperturable and cheerful temperament and was a great encouragement to all v/ho dealt with him.” Military Cross: Major Edgar Kingdon Tomlinson, Whakatane. In the attack* on Sidi Rezegh in the western desert during the period, from November 23 to 30, 1941, Major Tomlinson led his company with conspicuous gallantry and success. After heavy fighting, the company captured its objective and, in spite of severe losses, beat off an enemy counter-attack. The company remained in action when other troops had been over-run and at no time did it yield ground to the enemy. Shortly afterwards, Major Tomlinson was taken prisoner. Distinguished Flying Cross: Flight Lieutenant J. W. Lennon, Thornton: He completed numerous operations against the enemy in *he course of which he invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty. Distinguished Conduct Medal: Private L. Helmbright, Waiotahi. tie

showed himself to be a soldier of outstanding courage and resourcefulness during an attack in Italy of July 24, 1944. When his section commander was wounded, Private Holmbright took command and led an attack on three enemy machine gun posts under heavy fire. He single-handed wiped out two of the three posts and thus enabled ( his platoon to move forward.” Military Medal: 2/Lt J. I. Walker, Te Kaha: In March, 1943 (then Sergeant) he led his section of carriers most agressively and boldly in defending the Maori Battalion from an enemy counter attack on its flank. Second Lieutenant Walker engaged the enemy for two hours and silenced the enemy position.” Sergeant Leslie Charles William Knox, Whakatane. At Sidi Azziz November 27, 1941, Sergeant Knox was wounded and all his gun crew put out of action. Nevertheless, Sergeant

Knox continued to serve the gun single-handed under heavy fire until it was disabled. Although himself severely wounded he dragged two of the survivors of the gun crew to the rear while still under fire. Shortly afterwards he was taken prisoner. Corporal Frederick Cecil Rawson, Taneatua. At Sillaro river he led his section against an enemy position and in the face of heavy fire skilfully silenced three successive enemy posts. Corporal Rawson was himself wounded, but displayed personal courage and fine leadership. Corporal G. W.' Howat, Whakatane. He served consistently and conspicuously in three campaigns, including Greece. Though cut off in Greece he and several comrades escaped in an open boat and reached Egypt safely. In the campaigns of 1941 and 1942 he showed fine courage and leadership. On one occasion when his unit was over-run he refused to lay down his arms and, after eluding the enemy, reached Tobruk. Private H. R. Russell, Opotiki. At Takrouna on April 12, 1943, Private Russell, with utter disregard for heavy enemy shellfire, left his shelter and repaired a signal line which had been cut by shell fire. His brave action ensured that contact was maintained with headquarters and had a great effect on the morale of men near him. Private R. H. Bidois, Edgecumbe. In the attack on Dassino railway station on the night of February 17, 1944, Private Bidois showed outstanding courage and high determination under heavy shell and mortar fire. He repeatedly carried messages to and from his Company Commander and on three occasions went out under fire to carry wounded back to safety. British Empire Medal (8.E.M.): Captain F. J. Webber, Opotiki (then Sergeant). He displayed marked ability during the Libyan campaign of 1941. He personally repaired under fire vehicles which had broken down and, had it not been for his work, his battalion would have lost much of its mobility. In a journey of 1500 miles not one truck or carrier was out of action for more than a few hours because of mechanical defects. Staff Sergeant. R. Rae, Whakatane. Giving unremitting and efficient service in the capacity of Senior Inspector of a Field Hygiene Company, and showing outstanding ability in hygiene reconnaissances in forward areas. Sergeant E. A. Chamberlain, Whakatane. For carrying out the duties of Orderly Room Sergeant with outstanding success. His work was particularly heavy during the moves of his Infantry Brigade in the Pacific area and he worked very long hours under unfavourable conditions.