THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT
FREW James Smith Watt
15854, Surgeon Commander, Royal New Zealand Navy, Vietnam
CITATION
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
New Zealand Gazette Number 37 dated 26 June 1969
Surgeon Commander Frew entered the Royal New Zealand Navy as a Probationary Surgeon Lieutenant in 1956 having previously served for some years in the Indian Army. He transferred to the permanent list in 1960 and has continued to serve the Navy in a most loyal and conscientious manner throughout his service. He is a reliable, painstaking and hard-working medical officer having the welfare of the sailor at heart and has made a particularly worthwhile contribution in the fields of Service hygiene and health discipline. From 1960 to 1962 he served in HMNZS Royalist, not only maintaining a well organised and efficient medical department, but willingly and cheerfully accepting other ship’s duties and organising entertainment and recreational activities for the ship’s company. In September 1967 he was posted to command the New Zealand Services Medical Team serving in Vietnam and during his period in command displayed his ability not only as a medical officer, but as an administrator under the most difficult conditions of service. During this period the Services Medical Team, under his leadership accomplished a fantastic volume of hospital and clinical work thus alleviating much suffering among the people of this war-ravaged country, and bringing great credit to New Zealand in the eyes of the Vietnamese Government and the population generally. On his return to New Zealand Surgeon Commander Frew presented a report in meticulous detail covering every aspect of the team’s activities and this report has proved of great value to the Ministry of Defence in its planning of the future requirements and role of the Services Medical Team in Vietnam.
Public Health Service Medal 1st Class
Gazetted
KNOWN AWARDS
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Order of the Serving Brother of St John
Queen's Vietnam Medal
Vietnam Star
1960Public Health Service Medal 1st Class (SVN)
NOTES
Born 31 October 1922, New Zealand
Died 23 July 2012, Cremated at Snapper Rock Creatorium, Auckland, New Zealand
