Airmen Decorated For Service In Far Eastern Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1942, Page 4

Airmen Decorated For Service In Far Eastern Campaign

Press Assn.

Wellington, Last Night.

The first awards made to New Zealand air personnel who had returned to the Dominion from the Far East were announced by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. to-day. They are: — Distinguished Flying Cross. Pilot Offieer (now flying offieer) Robert Clift'ord Barclay. Distinguished Flying Medal. Sergeant Herbert Keith Minton. Flying Offieer Barclay, according to the citation, completed numerous bombing raids over enemy territory while serving in the Far East. In January of this year he attacked at extreme range an enemy-occupied aerodrome at Ipoh, despite bad weather. On the return flight he was compelled to make a forced landing in the jungle, but the skill with which he accomplished this undoubteaiy saved the lives of the three occupants of the aircraft. Later he took part m a raid on enemy shipping at Endau, when, although his air-gunner was killed when the aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters before reaching the target area, he continued to fight and pressed home the attack in the face of anti-aircraft fire. - i * . Flying Offieer Barclay was born at Dunedin and is 26 years of age. His father is Mr. J. T. Barclay, Dunedin. He was granted a commission in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and went to the Far East, where he served in a bomber squadron. He was reported missing in January last, but subsequently he returned safely. He was among those withdrawn to Austraha, whence he returned to New Zealand for flying duties. Sergeant Minton also completed numerous raids over enemy territory in the Far Eagjt. and dufinfe a daylight raid on enemy jshipiiiftg. AfwJkidau in January pressedho^Ahe-ittack in spite of enemy fighter interference and anti-air-craf t tflre', ; bbtainihg^Tour hits on a transport. , He was bbrh- at Carterton and is 28 years of age. His father is Mr. J. H. Minton, Masterton. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force two years ago and went to the Far East, where he served in a bomber squadron. He also was 'reported missing in January, but he returned safely. He was withdrawn to Australia and later returned to New Zealand, where he is now serving.