THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

DAVISON John Tregonwell

NZ39906 & 70020 Wing Commander, Royal New Zealand Air Force, WW2

CITATION

George Medal

Gazetted 7 March 1941

This officer was pilot of an aircraft which took part in a bombing attack on two heavily armed merchant vessels.  Pilot Officer DAVISON was wounded in the foot and thigh but succeeded in flying his aircraft back to base.  Owing to severe damage sustained to the hydraulic gear, he was compelled to make a crash landing, not knowing that a bomb remained hung up in the rack. The bomb exploded on landing, severely wounding the rear gunner and setting fire to the aircraft.  Pilot Officer DAVISON and his observer jumped clear but the discovered that the rear gunner was still in the aircraft.  Regardless of the fire and of the likelihood that the petrol tank might explode, they succeeded in extricating the wounded rear gunner from the rear cockpit and dragging him to safety.  By their courage and gallantry they undoubtedly saved the life of the rear gunner.

[The Observer, Sgt BRAZIER, RAFVR, was awarded the BEM for his part in this rescue which occurred on 23 November 1940]

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Gazetted New Year Honours List 1948

Not available.

[Awarded for services to the Royal Air Force Training Command as Chief Ground Instructor, Empire Central Flying School, 1946-47]

AWARDS

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)

George Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 7 January 1914 Ashburton, New Zealand

Died 9 October 1981 Matamata, New Zealand