GALLANT AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21367, 11 March 1941, Page 7

GALLANT AIRMEN

BRAVERY REWARDED GEORGE MEDAL TO PILOT NEW ZEALANDER’S COURAGE (By Telegraph.—press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday According to advice received at air headquarters this morning another New Zealander serving with the Royal Air Force has been decorated for gallantry. He is pilotofficer John Tregonwell Davison, of Christchurch, who is aw r arded the George Medal. This is the third George Medal awarded to a New Zealander and the first awarded for gallantry overseas. The previous awards were to Pilot-Officer D. T. Herrick and Sergeant E. A. Stratton, for their gallantry at the time of an aircraft accident at Taieri on June 21 last. Pilot-Officer Davison was bom at Ashburton 27 years ago. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs N. A. Davison, of Wairarapa Terrace, Christchurch. Pilot-Officer Davison was pilot of an aircraft which took part in a bombing attack on two heavilyarmed merchant vessels. During the action he was wounded in the foot and thigh, but succeeded in flying the aircraft back to his base. Aircraft Set on Fire Owing to severe damage sustained by the hydraulic gear it was necessary to make a crash landing. The was done, th c pilot not knowing that a bomb remained on the rapk. The bomb exploded on landing, and severely wounded the reargunner. It set fire to the aircraft. Pilot-Officer Davison and his observer jumped clear, but it was then discovered that the rear gunner was still in the aircraft. Regardless of the fire and the likelihood that the petrol tanks might explode, they succeeded in extricating the wounded gunner and dragging him to safety. By their courage and gallantry the pilot and observer undoubtedly saved the life of the gunner. Educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Pilot-Officer Davison was selected for a short service commission just before the outbreak of war, and afl#* training at Taieri and Wigram, left New Zealand in the middle of last year.