SERVICES IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 230, 27 June 1944, Page 6

SERVICES IN ITALY

Awards To New Zealanders DECORATED FOR- BRAVERY

The following awards to members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F., approved by the King "in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Italy. ’ are additional to the list of 69 awards published several days ago. D.S.O.

Major John Ingle Tbodey. Next-of-kin : Mr. H. 1. Thodey (father). ~>2 Central Terrace, Kelburn, Wellington. Major Thodey has been previously mentioned in dispatches. Military Cross.

Lieut. William Robert U'Brieu. Next-of-kin: Mr. W. I’. O'Brien (father). Wbafawhata Road. Frankton. Military Medal.

Sergt. August Digby Rockell. Next-of-kin : Mr. 11. M. Rockell (father). 120 Titirangi Road. New Lynn. Auckland. Cpl. William Neil Forbes. Next-of-kin: Mrs. E. Flannigan (aunt). Kiln Road. Heretauuga. Wellington.

One of six brothers and sisters all serving in the army. Major Thodey enlisted outlie outbreak of war and was selected to attend one of the first officer cadet training courses He passed out from the Army School in November, 1939, and was commissioned as second-lieutenant. _Be went overseas as an officer o r the Wellington Battalion, which sailed with the First Echelon, being granted the rank of lieu-> tenant as from 'lie date of embarkation. He was promoted to captain in April, 1942, while ■ aoldiug the appointment of start captain on a brigade headquarters, and a month later was appointed to command the New Zealand Wing of the Middle East Officer Cadet '('raining Unit. In October, 1942. he was transferred to the armoured formation with which he is still serving He became a major in March. 194.1. He was mentioned in despatches for bis services in the Middle East from November. 1941. to April. 1942. He is 4-1 years of age. On the outbreak of war. Major Tbodey. then -captain of the Star Boating Club, Wellington, was one of a large party of active members of the club who enlisted In a body. Two brothers—Major W.-H. Thodev (Third Echelon) and Lieutenant A. E. Thodey tan early reinforcements draft)—are also in the Middle East. A third brother. Captain E. S. Tbodey, N.Z.M.C.. is back in New Zealand after overseas duty with a general hospital in the Pacific Sister Nesham (nee Thodey)-. N.Z.A.N.S.. Is at present on active service in italv, and a second sister. Dvr. E. M. Thodev. W.A.A.C.. is serving with an army mechanical transport unit in the Wellington area After a period of service in the ranks or the Territorial Force, Lieutenant O’Brien was commissioned as a second-lieutenant in the Waikato Regiment in October. 1941. He was transferred to the Expeditionary Force last vear and went overseas as an infantry officer. He was promoted to lieutenant in December last. He is 22 rears of age. Before the war lie was a Post and Telegraph Department mechanic stationed at Auckland.

Sergeant Rockell, who is 34 years of age, went overseas in September. 1941. He was formerly a shepherd employed at Erewbon Station.’ Talhape. . Corporal Forbes left New Zealand in November, 1940. Before the war he was a painter in the employ of R. and 15. Tingey Ltd.. Manners Street. Wellington; He is 25 rears of age.