Post by Dave Homewood on May 2, 2021 14:37:38 GMT 12
I am guessing that not many Kiwi airmen will have been awarded the Distinguished Service Order just before the war.
AWARD OF D.S.O.
YOUNG NAPIER AIRMAN
ENGAGEMENT WITH ARABS
(Special to Times) NAPIER, Monday
The New Zealander Squadron-Leader H. D. McGregor, who was awarded the D.S.O. in Palestine, is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hector McGregor, Ormond Road, Napier. After receiving his education at Napier Boys' High School, he spent a few months in the electrical business of his father before leaving Napier in January, 1927, for England to join the Royal Air Force at the age of 18.
In spite of his youth, he made rapid progress, and was the youngest flying-officer in the force, passing his examinations for this commission with honours. At the age of 27 he qualified for the rank of Squadron-Leader, but at that time was below the age-limit and, in consequence, had to wait until early this year before receiving his promotion.
He was despatched for service in Palestine in November last year, and when his promotion came he was the youngest man in the Royal Air Force to hold that rank.
Base at Ismailia
While at Napier Boys’ High School he was a member of the first fifteen and was also interested in other sports, including tennis. Several years ago he married a Welsh girl and they have two young daughters. He is 29 years of age. Most of his Royal Air Force service has been in England, with the exception of a brief period on seaplanes at Gibraltar, until he was transferred with Squadron 33 to Ismailia, which was used by the squadron as base for operations against Arab rebels.
Recently, his parents received an interesting letter from Squadron-Leader McGregor, in which he described what evidently was the incident for which he has been awarded the D.S.O. He described an engagement with Arabs, in which he was fighting single-handed. In response to an S.O.S. message sent out by him, two other aeroplanes came to his assistance, but these were almost immediately shot down. Squadron-Leader McGregor, on returning to his base, found that there were 23 bullet holes in his own machine, but he himself escaped unscathed.
At the time he was given two weeks’ special leave and received official notice from Air Force headquarters commending him for his actions.
WAIKATO TIMES, 19 SEPTEMBER 1939
AWARD OF D.S.O.
YOUNG NAPIER AIRMAN
ENGAGEMENT WITH ARABS
(Special to Times) NAPIER, Monday
The New Zealander Squadron-Leader H. D. McGregor, who was awarded the D.S.O. in Palestine, is the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Hector McGregor, Ormond Road, Napier. After receiving his education at Napier Boys' High School, he spent a few months in the electrical business of his father before leaving Napier in January, 1927, for England to join the Royal Air Force at the age of 18.
In spite of his youth, he made rapid progress, and was the youngest flying-officer in the force, passing his examinations for this commission with honours. At the age of 27 he qualified for the rank of Squadron-Leader, but at that time was below the age-limit and, in consequence, had to wait until early this year before receiving his promotion.
He was despatched for service in Palestine in November last year, and when his promotion came he was the youngest man in the Royal Air Force to hold that rank.
Base at Ismailia
While at Napier Boys’ High School he was a member of the first fifteen and was also interested in other sports, including tennis. Several years ago he married a Welsh girl and they have two young daughters. He is 29 years of age. Most of his Royal Air Force service has been in England, with the exception of a brief period on seaplanes at Gibraltar, until he was transferred with Squadron 33 to Ismailia, which was used by the squadron as base for operations against Arab rebels.
Recently, his parents received an interesting letter from Squadron-Leader McGregor, in which he described what evidently was the incident for which he has been awarded the D.S.O. He described an engagement with Arabs, in which he was fighting single-handed. In response to an S.O.S. message sent out by him, two other aeroplanes came to his assistance, but these were almost immediately shot down. Squadron-Leader McGregor, on returning to his base, found that there were 23 bullet holes in his own machine, but he himself escaped unscathed.
At the time he was given two weeks’ special leave and received official notice from Air Force headquarters commending him for his actions.
WAIKATO TIMES, 19 SEPTEMBER 1939
