BRAVERY IN ACTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1941, Page 4

BRAVERY IN ACTION

PRIVATE DENIS FAIRBROTHER

EXPERIENCES IN GREECE

Glowing tributes to the courage and initiative shown by Private Denis Fairbrother. son of Mr and Mrs O. R. Fairbrother, Lansdowne, Masterton, in the fighting in Greece are contained in letters sent by local soldiers to their friends in Masterton.

It is reported that Private Fairbrother has been mentioned twice in despatches and has been recommended for a decoration. In letters to his parents. .Private Fairbrother has been extremely modest and gives little indication of his activities.

Although it has not been officially confirmed, it is learnt that Private Fairbrother, distinguished himself in the battle for Greece. As a member ■of a hand grenade unit of the infantry, he was stated to have shown conspicuous bravery. In the fighting, he and another soldier were cut off and surrounded. Private Fairbrother is stated to have captured a German machinegun and turned it on the enemy before he was taken prisoner. He escaped from the guards and after many adventures, it is reported, he jumped off a cliff and swam a considerable distance to a warship. Private Fairbrother, who was taken direct to Egypt is still in a military hospital as a result of injuries suffered, when he jumped into the sea.