THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BUTTON Peter Thomas

Helicopter Pilot

CITATION

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Gazetted 11 June 1982 (NZ), pB40

For services to search, and rescue operations.

Queen's Gallantry Medal

Gazetted 11 September 1987, p11343

On the morning of 2nd July 1986 the New Zealand Police Launch "Lady Elizabeth II", with four Police officers on board, sank at the entrance to Wellington

Harbour. The weather conditions were atrocious at the scene with ten metre high waves and dangerously high winds of up to 65 knots recorded, accompanied

by rain and at times hail. Despite being advised that weather conditions made flying dangerous, Mr Button, accompanied by his son, flew to the scene. Two

survivors were located in the water and winched into the helicopter and flown to safety. He returned to the scene by himself and after several attempts uplifted

a body with the aid of a scoop net.  The body of the fourth person was not found. The two survivors would have perished within a very short time had it not

been for Mr Button's outstanding flying skills and courage in placing his own life at risk.

KNOWN AWARDS

Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Queen’s Gallantry Medal

NOTES

Born 9 October 1929

Died 20 November 1987 Wellington, New Zealand

Cremated 25 November 1987 (Ref 58584)

Ashes scattered