Nov. 23] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 1429

The undermentioned officers are transferred from the Active List to the Reserve of Air Force Officers, Class B, Section I:—
Dated 9th October, 1944: Flight Lieutenant Stanley Maurice WESTLAKE.
Dated 29th October, 1944: Flight Lieutenant Gordon Hector GRIMSDALE.
Dated 9th November, 1944: Flight Lieutenant Robert Roy PARSONS.
Dated 17th October, 1944: Flying Officer Desmond Ferguson PENNINGTON.
Dated 20th October, 1944: Flying Officer Colin Campbell BAIRD.
Dated 21st October, 1944: Flying Officer Barry Webster MAZEY.
Dated 22nd October, 1944: Flying Officer Stanley Reeford SELF.
Dated 25th October, 1944: Flying Officer Robin Otterson LOWE.
Dated 11th November, 1944: Flying Officer Percy Roy PAUL, M.M.
Dated 25th October, 1944: Pilot Officer Alfred Maurice HOLLINGS.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.

Operational Awards approved by His Majesty the King

Office of the Minister of Defence,
Wellington, 9th October, 1944.

HIS Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate awards, in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations:—

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Ross Stuart McHardy (NZ 402882), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.

With a keen wind whipping the sea into broken-topped swells too high to enable rescue launches to operate, this captain of a Catalina flying boat was responsible, on 30th June, 1944, for a masterly rescue of the crew of an Allied dive-bomber aircraft forced down at sea some twenty miles off Guadalcanal. The two survivors, an American pilot and his radio-man, had been located earlier, and an effort was made to rescue them, but the sea was too rough to enable the prospective rescuers to put their flying-boat down, and also prevented small surface craft from operating. Flight Lieutenant McHardy was then detailed to undertake the rescue, and by his skill and courage succeeded in what had seemed a hopeless enterprise. In spite of the real risk of damage to the aircraft, a landing was made along the top of the swell, and the aircraft was allowed to drift back upon the dinghy from which the two men were picked up. Their dinghy was also salvaged, and the Catalina, although damaged by the pounding it had received, was flown back to base after a skilful open-water take off. Flight Lieutenant McHardy’s achievement was typical of the cool efficiency that has marked his operational flying, comprising over one hundred missions in Singapore, Sumatra, Ceylon, India, New Hebrides, Tonga, and the Solomons. In over one thousand operational flying hours he has shown exemplary skill and judgment and extreme devotion to duty.

18th October, 1944

Flying Officer Nisbet James Scott (NZ 415425), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Central Otago.

This officer has shown the greatest enthusiasm and determination in the execution of a large number of air operations, including attacks on shipping, radar buildings, and railway systems. On one occasion he was wounded and his aircraft badly damaged, but he flew to base and made a successful landing.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations against the enemy:—

28th October, 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant James Roy Cullen (NZ 416462), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Waihi.
Flight Lieutenant Allan Henderson Smith (NZ 411947), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.
Flying Officer Douglas Nevill Robinson (NZ 413481), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Gisborne.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.

Operational Awards approved by His Majesty the King

Office of the Minister of Defence,
Wellington, 9th October, 1944.

HIS Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate awards, in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations against the enemy:—

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Peter Francis Locker Hall, D.F.C. (NZ 413841), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Gisborne.

This pilot and his observer continue to display the highest standard of skill and gallantry. Recently, within a short period, they destroyed four enemy aircraft to bring their victories to eight.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Acting Squadron Leader Mathew Garry Barnett (NZ 391338), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Wellington.

In air operations this officer has displayed skill, courage, and devotion to duty of the highest order.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations against the enemy:—

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant John Ernest Rountree (NZ 414343), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Wanganui.

16th October, 1944

Acting Flight Lieutenant Maurice Johnston (NZ 42409), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Christchurch.
Flying Officer William Alexander Fraser, D.F.M. (NZ 413051), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.
Flying Officer Colin Alexander Hynd (NZ 40169), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Invercargill.
Flying Officer Raoul John Wisker (NZ 415255), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Westport.
Pilot Officer Wallace Arthur Tong (NZ 42483), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Waharoa.
NZ 421047 Warrant Officer Hall, Frederick Edward, Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Gisborne.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate awards, in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations against the enemy:—

21st October, 1944

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Edmond William Francis Gabites (NZ 413055), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Hastings.

Flight Lieutenant Gabites has proved himself an exceptionally determined and skilful navigator. He has participated in many sorties, involving attacks on military targets and small heavily-defended installations in enemy-occupied territory. The successes obtained are a fine tribute to this officer’s sterling qualities.

Acting Flight Lieutenant Bruce John Oliver (NZ 41930), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Whangarei.

Flight Lieutenant Oliver has flown many operational sorties and has destroyed four enemy aircraft and twenty mechanical vehicles. He has displayed the greatest keenness to engage the enemy, and his example has been commendable.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the following appointment and awards, in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations against the enemy:—

21st October, 1944

To be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order

Flight Lieutenant Stanley George Culliford (NZ 412659), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Norsewood.

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Wallis George Finlay, D.F.C. (NZ 403776), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Katikati.
Flight Lieutenant John George Grey, D.F.C. (NZ 402864), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Otago.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Lieutenant Lloyd Elliott (NZ 401204), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Pukerua Bay.
Flight Lieutenant George William Warden (NZ 411109), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.
Flight Lieutenant Lionel Matthews Wilson (NZ 412915), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Lyttelton.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Edward Sidney Henzel (NZ 416326), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Christchurch.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Arnold Thane King (NZ 42413), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Wellington.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Mervyn James Sparks (NZ 417123), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Auckland.
Flying Officer Murray McLaren Milne (NZ 417089), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Hastings.
Flying Officer Alan Robert Speirs (NZ 413136), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Christchurch.
Flying Officer George Henry Richmond Treasure (NZ 414699), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Christchurch.
Pilot Officer Thomas Harris Harrison (NZ 414620), Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Rotorua.

Distinguished Flying Medal

NZ 422172 Flight Sergeant Baker, Phillip Stanley, Royal New Zealand Air Force, of Hawera.

F. JONES, Minister of Defence.