AWARDED D.F.C.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 October 1943, Page 3

AWARDED D.F.C.

TWO NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN BOTH BORN IN MASTERTON GALLANT WORK IN BOMBING GERMANY (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The pilot and navigator respectively in a bomber engaged in bombing Mannheim last month, Acting-Flight Lieutenant James Henry Wright and Pilot Officer Sydney Colin Rive Mackie, both of the R.N.Z.A.F., have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to advice received by the Air Department in Wellington. The citation states that the operation concerned demanded a high degree of skill and that the success achieved reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of these members of an air crew, who executed their task faultlessly. They had taken part in many previous operations and had always displayed courage, determination and devotion to duty of a high order. Flight Lieutenant Wright was born in Masterton in 1920 and educated at the Wairarapa High School. He went overseas in November, 1941, and was commissioned in April, 1943. He is a son of Mr and Mrs F. H. Wright, of Masterton.

Pilot Officer Mackie was also born in Masterton in 1920. He was educated at the Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland, and commenced his air training in July, 1941. His mother is Mrs M. I. Mackie, Auckland.