GALLANT SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1941, Page 6

GALLANT SOLDIERS

HONOURS AND AWARDS TO NEW ZEALANDERS SERVICE IN THE WESTERN DESERT. RECORD OF DISTINGUISHED DEEDS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) (NZEF. Official News Service.) CAIRO, July 7. The King has been graciously pleased to approve the undermentioned honours and awards, recommended by the Commander-in-chief in the Middle East in a dispatch on operations in the Western Desert, Libya and Cyrenaica from December, 1940, to February, 1941. 0.8. E.: Major George Harold Whyte. M.8.E.: Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) George Douglas Pollock. Medal, Order of the British Empire, for Meritorious Service: Corporal Albert Alexander Gilmore. Military Cross: Captain James Alexander McAlpine. Distinguished Conduct Medal: Corporal Lawrence Hamilton Browne. Military Medal: — Driver Ronald Irving Alexander Burns. Trooper lan Hamilton Mclnnis. Corporal Edmund Kennard Madigan.

OFFICIAL CITATIONS

Citations to the above awards are as follow: —

Major G. IT. Whyte.—As the officer commanding the Fourth Reserve Motor Transport Company, he rendered most valuable service during the campaign. His unit was always maintained at a high standard of efficiency and was continually employed in arduous duties, often in dangerous roles. The good, work of this unit was the subject of many messages of appreciation by formation commanders. The main credit for this high standard was due to Major Whyte, whose personal efficiency was an example and inspiration to the whole unit. Lieutenant (Temp. Captain) G. D. Pollock—This officer has shown excellent powers of leadership and command, thereby encouraging his men in the performance of arduous duties under adverse circumstances.

Corporal A. A. Gilmore, N.Z.A.S.C.— For continuous good work and devotion to duty. While in the Western Desert he was in charge of three vehicles attached for a period to the Seventh Armoured Division. The role of the unit was to carry a wooden tank trap bridging to negotiate tank traps during the advance. The officer commanding. during his attachment, reported that the work was done in an extremely businesslike manner and that Corporal Gilmore's driving was of a particularly high standard. This N.C.O. maintained his standard and did outstanding work throughout the campaign. Captain J. A. McAlpine was subsequently killed in action in Greece. During operations at Tummar West, on December 9, 1940, he led a motor transport section into a perimeter under artillery and machine-gun fire. He controlled and supervised the debussing with great coolness and courage. He set a splendid example to the Indian troops he was carrying throughout the operations. This officer rendered consistently valuable service throughout the campaign and in every way was worthy of decoration. Corporal L. H. Browne is a member of the Long-Range Desert Group. This N.C.O. displayed exceptional gallantry and resource during the raid on Murzuk on January 11, 1941. He commanded his vehicle most efficiently and maintained his Lewis gun in action with coolness and telling effect on the enemy. His example did much to keep the patrol steady at a critical time, when enemy fire was causing casualties. Though wounded in the foot, he remained at his post. In action at Jebel Sherif, south-west of Kufra, on January 31, his coolness was instrumental in saving his vehicle and its crew when they were subjected to a determined low-flying bombing and machine-gun attack by enemy aircraft. Throughout all the operations in Libya this N.C.O. held the responsible post of patrol navigator. He has shown the utmost devotion to duty. Driver R. I. A. Burns, Supply Column. N.Z.A.S.C. For consistent good work and devotion to duty. This soldier has been subjected to severe enemy, bombing, both at the headquarters camp and in forward areas. On no occasion has this impaired his devotion to duty, efficiency and cheerfulness, or that trait which puts him above the ordinary driver—namely, the ability under any circumstances or bad adversity to excel in the work in hand. Trooper J. H. Mclnni's, Divisional Cavalry. This soldier was the senior man in a two-inch mortar crew in the action at Murzuk on January 11. He worked his mortar to within 400 yards of the Italian fort and maintained it in action with telling effect, causing the fort to catch fire. Although under fire! from three directions, he held his position and continued to bomb his target until ordered to withdraw. His withdrawal from a dangerous position without a casualty in the crew or the loss of any equipment, while under close machine-gun fire, was a fine example of a soldier’s ability. Corporal E. K. Madigan. N.Z.E. This N.C.0., over the period from September, 1940, to February, 1941, destroyed or made safe upwards of 500 enemy “thermos" bombs and other bombs. His work was of a specially trying and dangerous character and his unremitting care and zeal ensured that his party did the work in the Western Desert and Libya without a single casualty.