YORWARTH, Kevin Andrew

A51980, Warrant Officer Class One, Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York’s Own)

CITATION

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Year Honours List 2008

WO1 Yorwarth was serving in Tonga when riots broke out on 16 November 2006, leading to widespread destruction.  After moving his family to

safety, he volunteered his services to the NZ High Commission. He then planned and led the evacuation of staff to the Residence when the High

Commission was in direct danger of fire and potential looters.  In the following days, despite fatigue and ongoing risk, he acted as escort for High

Commission staff.  He also escorted and assisted the Consular Officer to negotiate with a group of anxious Chinese people seekingaccess to the

Residence and transported them to a safe place. Concurrently, he continued to collect information about the disturbances and maintained critical

communications equipment for the High Commission.  His local knowledge and the intelligence he gathered proved invaluable to the combined New

Zealand and Australian Defence Forces task force, which deployed to Tonga to restore order.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal

Sinai

New Zealand East Timor Medal

United Nations Medal (UNTAET)

New Zealand  Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

Multinational Force and Observers Medal

NOTES

Born

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT