MENTION IN ORDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 4

MENTION IN ORDERS

SOLDIERS’ BRAVERY SURF-BATHING TRAGEDY For their courage and determination in attempting to save fellow soldiers during a recent surf-bathing tragedy in Egypt, when three gunners were drowned while attempting to rescue a number of others, three Expeditionary Force men have been mentioned in orders by MajorGeneral B. C. Freyberg, V.C. The men are Sergeant-Major R. W. Lovett, a son of Mr and Mrs George Lovett, of Auckland, who saved four men, Sergeant R. Allen, of Dunedin, and Gunner W. H. Bannerman. All belong to the same artillery regiment. The soldiers who were drowned were Gunners O. J. Muir, son of Mr H. H. Muir, of Hamilton; T. H. Flynn, son of Mrs H. J. Flynn, of Auckland; and W. Fulton, husband of Mrs M. E. Fulton, of Levin. The orders state: “Recently three soldiers of a New Zealand artillery regiment were drowned in the surf in spite of gallant efforts at rescue on the part of several soldiers. The G.O.C.’s attention has been drawn particularly to the commendable conduct of the three above-mentioned soldiers in organising rescue work and in taking prompt action, to the limit of their ability, in their efforts to save their comrades.”