AWARDS TO AIRMEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1941, Page 4

AWARDS TO AIRMEN

NEW ZEALANDERS HONOURED D.F.C. AND D.F.M. HAWERA AND KUMARA PILOTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 24. Pilot Officer Roymond Joseph Hannan, Hawera, serving in the R.A.F. has been awarded the D.F.C., and Flight Sergeant Hugh Francis Rochford, R.N.Z’.A.F., Kumara, has been awarded the D.F.M. Pilot Officer Hannan’s father is Mr J. J. Hannan, 33 Lombard Street, Palmerston North. Flight Sergeant Rochford’s next-of-kin is his guardian, Mr O. R. Duncan, Te Rapa, R.D., Frankton. Pilot Officer Hannan was born in Hawera in 1917. He enlisted in the R.N.Z.A.F. as an aircraftman in 1938 and entered the R.A.F. as a pupil pilot in 1939. He was commissioned in March 1940, and promoted to flying officer last July. Flight Sergeant Rochford was born in Kumara in 1916. He enlisted in 1940 and trained in Canada as an air observer. He is a farmhand in civil life. Citations state that Pilot Officer Hannan participated in many operational missions as' captain, also navigator. Three times he navigated aircraft to Berlin, where he successfully located and bombed his target. As captain, he attacked a wide variety of targets. One night, while he was returning from an attack against Bremen an enemy fighter six times engaged his aircraft off the German coast. As a result of skilful manoeuvring Pilot Officer Hannan enabled his gunners to drive off the attacker. His determination and keenness set a splendid example. Flight Sergeant Rochfprd set a fine example as an observer through many operational sorties. He displayed great energy, fortitude and endurance, which exerted a beneficial influence to other members of the crew. He helped to sustain them through a series of sorties, including a high proportion against difficult targets. Flight Sergeant Rochford made himself a competent astronomical navigator entirely by his own efforts. At all times he has shown great coolness and courage.