THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

WILSON Hugh Gordon

4/522, Corporal, New Zealand Divisional Signal Company, WW1

NZ1017, Squadron Leader, Royal New Zealand Air Force, WW2

70281, Royal New Zealand Air Force

CITATION

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (Military)

Gazetted January 1949

This officer served with distinction in the NZEF in the last war and subsequently as a Captain in the New Zealand Pay Corps.  In September 1935, he was granted a commission in the equipment branch of the Regular Air Force and since 1938 he has commanded No1 Equipment Depot.  In this latter capacity he has been responsible for handling the greater part of the equipment entering New Zealand for the RNZAF.  The fine spirit and efficiency with which Squadron Leader WILSON has discharged his varied and arduous duties are accentuated by the fact that he has continually had to overcome physical disability and pain.

Military Medal

Gazetted 19 February 1917, p1757

Actions at the taking of Switch Trench and successive objectives during the period from 15th September to 15th October 1916 inclusive.  As linesmen on the New Zealand Artillery Lines these men displayed the greatest gallantry throughout the whole period.  The noteworthy instances are: Longueral to High Wood 8pm 30 September to 6.15am 1 October running lines for incoming Brigade.  Shellfire was continuous and the lines required unceasing repair for 48 hours.  2 October: To Fish Alley. Running lines through barrage for advance of 1st and 2nd NZFA Brigades.  Lines were cut in several places before laying was completed and required constant repair.  9 October: Hostile barrage cut practically all forward lines necessitating prolonged work under fire. 15 October: Barrage cut all forward lines, line party had barely two hours before our attack but repaired and kept in repair sufficient communications, considerably influencing the success of our attack. 

KNOWN AWARDS

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (Military)

Military Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal 1914-19

Victory Medal

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

New Zealand Long & Efficient Service Medal

New Zealand Defence Service Medal

    Regular

NOTES

Born 1 April 1894 Porangahau, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Died 3 July 1966 Auckland, New Zealand

Cremated and ashes buried at Purewa Cemetery (Block Z Row 8 Plot 78)