NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 August 1942, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS

DECORATED FOR GALLANTRY IN MIDDLE EAST. (Bys, (Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Advice has been received from the War Office, London, that the King has approved of the following immediate awards to officers of the Second N.Z.E.F. serving in the Middle East:— Distinguished Service Order: Majoi’ H. M. McElroy. Bar to Military Cross: Captain E. A. McPhail; next-of-kin, Mr E. McPhail (father), Rangiora. Military Cross: Lieut. G. S. Cooper; next-of-kin, Mrs D. F. Cooper, 19 BidI well Street, Timaru.

Major McElroy received his first appointment to a commission in the North Auckland Regiment in 1932, and in February, 1940, was posted to the 2nd N.Z.E.F., with the temporary rank of captain. He went overseas with the 2nd Echelon, and attained field rank this year. He was an accountant in civil life, and resided in Dargaville. Captain McPhail passed out of the Army School of Instruction in November, 1939, and was appointed to a commission as 2nd. Lieutenant in a 2nd. N.Z.E.F. South Island Battalion. He went overseas with Jhe 2nd. Echelon, and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and distinguished services in the Greek campaign. He was promoted to his present rank in December last. He was formerly on the Christchurch staff of the Bank of New Zealand.

Lieutenant Coopei’ successfully passed through an officer cadet course at the Army School in 1941, and was posted to the 2nd. N.2LE.F. as 2nd. Lieutenant. He left New Zealand with the 4th. Reinforcements, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in July last year. His home is in Christchurch, and he was an accountant in civil life.