AIRMAN’S D.F.C.

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 12

AIRMAN’S D.F.C.

SURPRISE FOR MOTHER ACCOUNT OF DARING WORK (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) HASTINGS, Friday A package received through the post containing the Distinguished Flying Cross which had been awarded to her son, Pilot-Officer E. W. Tacon, gave his mother, Mrs E. R. Tacon, of Hastings, a pleasant surprise. Later a letter advised Mrs Tacon that her son had been promoted to flying-officer, and that he was sending under separate cover the medal which had been awarded him at the same time as those to Squadron-Leader L. E. Jarman, of Christchurch, and Pilot-Officer G. Edwards, a Canadian who has been accompanying the Hastings man on his flights.

The citation accompanying the award stated that Pilot-Officers Tacon and Edwards, while flying together, acting as pilot and navigator alternatively, made most daring reconnaissance flights while in search of a German cruiser. They attacked three flagships and scored many hits in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire. A few days later they made a reconnaissance of Haugesund and took some photographs from a height of 50ft, The following day they made a reconnaissance of Frederickshaven, and flew so low over the harbour that in the moonlight they were able to make sure the warship for which they were searching was not there.