Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 23, 2023 9:28:06 GMT 12
PILOT'S BRAVERY
GEORGE MEDAL AWARD
RETURN TO SAVE GUNNER
SEQUEL TO CRASH LANDING
[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 Pilot-Officer John Tregonwell Davison, of Christchurch, who has been awarded the George Medal.
This is the third George Medal to be awarded to a New Zealander, and the first to be awarded tor 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 born at Ashburton 27 years ago. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs. N. A:- Davison, of Wairarapa Terrace, Christchurch.
Pilot-Officer Davison was the pilot of an aircraft which took part in a bombing attack on two heavily-armed merchant vessels. During the action he was wounded in the foot and thigh, but succeeded in flying his aircraft back to its base. Owing to severe damage sustained by the hydraulic gear it was necessary to make a crash landing. The pilot did not know that a bomb remained on the rack, and it exploded when the aeroplane landed, severely wounding the rear gunner and setting fire to the aircraft.
The pilot and his observer jumped clear, but they 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 the 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 after training at Taieri and Wigram, left New Zealand in the middle of last year.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 11 MARCH 1941
GEORGE MEDAL AWARD
RETURN TO SAVE GUNNER
SEQUEL TO CRASH LANDING
[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 Pilot-Officer John Tregonwell Davison, of Christchurch, who has been awarded the George Medal.
This is the third George Medal to be awarded to a New Zealander, and the first to be awarded tor 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 born at Ashburton 27 years ago. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs. N. A:- Davison, of Wairarapa Terrace, Christchurch.
Pilot-Officer Davison was the pilot of an aircraft which took part in a bombing attack on two heavily-armed merchant vessels. During the action he was wounded in the foot and thigh, but succeeded in flying his aircraft back to its base. Owing to severe damage sustained by the hydraulic gear it was necessary to make a crash landing. The pilot did not know that a bomb remained on the rack, and it exploded when the aeroplane landed, severely wounding the rear gunner and setting fire to the aircraft.
The pilot and his observer jumped clear, but they 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 the 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 after training at Taieri and Wigram, left New Zealand in the middle of last year.
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 11 MARCH 1941
