Award of D.F.C.

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 54, 7 March 1944, Page 4

Award of D.F.C.

SQUADRON LEADER RABONE. Advice has been received that Squadron Leader Paul Wattling Rabone, Royal Air Force, of Wellington, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.. The following citation accompanied the award: “Squadron Leader Rabone, prior to joining his present squadron, had completed many bombing ana fighter (including night-fighter) operations, and had destroyed three enemy aircraft. Since then he has taken part in many missions over Sicily and Italy, and he has achieved mucli success in night intruder sorties. Ho lias also made most determined and damaging attacks on enemy road and rail targets, and on one occasion destroyed a coastal supply vessel. During his present tour of duty Squadron Leader Rabone has destroyed a further three enemy aircraft and has damaged one other.” Squadron Leader Rabone is the son ot Wing Commander and Mrs. C. N. Rabone, of Wellington, and formerly ot Palmerston North. He is 25 years of age and was educated at the New Plymouth and Palmerston North Boys’ High School. Ho carried out his elementary training at Palmerston North Aero Club and E.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, and left New Zealand in February, 1939, to take up a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force. Mrs. Rabone, who is in England, was formerly Miss Pamela Buchanan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Buchanan, Ivairanga. His brothers Geoff (England) and Jack (New Zealand) are both commissioned officers in the E.N.Z.A.F.