N.Z. Naval Officer's Bravery Recognised
WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. A feat of bravery by a New Zealand naval officer, Commander (E) John Gerard, now of Martinborough, was o'fffcially recognised at today's investiture at Government House, when the GovernorGeneral, Sir Bernard Freyberg, invested him with the insignia of an officer of the Order of the British Empire. Commander Gerard was in the destroyer mothership Hecla, off Capetown, in 1943 prior to the invasion of North Africa when a tentacle mine exploded beneath her. Though the ship's bottom was completely blown out, Commander Gerard, by his daring and ingenuity, brought her back safely to her base at Simeastown, near Capetown. ' As this feat was performed during a critical period of the war, the Royal Navy maintained its 'traditional policy of siience. A member of a well-known Canterbury family, Commander Gerard attended the Navai Colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth. The former Bishop of Waiapu, Bishop Gerard, who is in England, is a brother as is Mr. R. G.. Gerard, member of Parliament for Ashburton. A third brother, Mr. Stephen Gerard, formerly of the literary staff of "The Dominion," Wellington, lost'his life at Singapore.
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Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1949, Page 4
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189N.Z. Naval Officer's Bravery Recognised Chronicle (Levin), 6 October 1949, Page 4
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