Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Wednesday 11 February 1942, page 4


R.A.A.F. PILOTS

Two Gallantry Awards

Decorations for two Australians serving with the R.A.A.F. overseas for courage and leadership were an-nounced yesterday by the Minister for Air (Mr. Drakeford).

Wing-Commander Howard Clive Mayers, 31, of Sydney. with 11 ene-my aircraft to his credit, has won the immediate award of a bar to his D.F.C., and Squadron Leader Ernest Wingfield Murray, 24, of Blackhall (Qld.) has been decorated

with the D.F.C.

Wing-Commander Mayers has led his wing on a large number of sor-ties during the Libyan campaign, where his mastery of tactics and skilful planning of operations have contributed largely to his many suc-

cesses.

The official citation states that Wing-Commander Mayers has shown

great courage and leadership. Dur-

ing a machine-gun attack in Decem-ber against an enemy column he saw a member of his formation brought

down by anti-aircraft fire; when the

attack was concluded he skilfully landed his machine near the crashed aircraft and flew safely to his base with his colleague.

Squadron-Leader Murray has taken part in many raids during re-cent operations in Libya and at all times has shown great skill and re-

source.

During an attack on enemy con-centrations in the Mekili area in De-cember, his aircraft received a direct hit from a small shell which cut off the aileron control and bent the throttle control. Despite this, Mur-ray maintained formation, returned

to his base and landed his aircraft.