Cantabrian World War II soldiers to be awarded French Legion of Honour

Embassy of France in New Zealand
5 May 2015

On Thursday the 7th of May, H.E. Mrs Florence Jeanblanc-Risler, Ambassador of France to New Zealand, will present Cantabrians Mr Alan Williams Davis and Mr Phillip Walter D’Arcy Stewart with the medal of Knight of the national Order of the Legion of Honour during a ceremony at the Christchurch Memorial RSA.

For their eminent merits in service to the nation, President François Hollande has officially appointed as Knight of the national Order of the Legion of Honour:

Warrant Officer Mr Alan Davis
Born in Rangiora, Mr Davis enlisted in the Territorial Force of the Army in 1941 before transferring to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in May 1942. Embarking for overseas training a year later, Mr Davis spent ten months in Canada before arriving in the United Kingdom for further training with No. 2 Advanced Flying Unit and No. 11 Operational Training Unit in February 1944. Serving operationally with No. 75 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command in February 1945, Mr Davis took part in the bombing raids in Germany at this time.

Flight Lieutenant Mr Phillip Stewart
Born in Waiau, Canterbury in October 1917, Mr Phillip Stewart was 23 years old when he enlisted with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Mr Stewart embarked for overseas training and service in April 1941. Arriving in the United Kingdom in September 1941, Mr Stewart was posted to No 25 Operational Training Unit (OTU) to complete training before being posted to Squadrons 91, 129 and 616 as a Spitfire Pilot. Mr Stewart became an instructor for a short period of time before his final posting to 1 Squadron RAF from May 1944 until the end of the Second World War. During these postings, Mr Stewart served over England and occupied France on fighter, bomber escort and ground attack duties, completing a total of 300 sorties during 370 operational hours on Spitfires. During the D-Day operations, Mr Stewart was flying air superiority missions to cover the landings in a Spitfire fighter aircraft.

H.E. Mrs Florence Jeanblanc-Risler, Ambassador of France to New Zealand, is delighted to be able to officially recognise these distinguished gentlemen at their local RSA.

“It is very significant that we are able to award the “Chevalier de l’ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur”, France’s highest decoration, to these highly deserving veterans in the region from which they originate. Though as young men the battles of the Second World War took them far from the lands of Canterbury, and they fought for the liberation of France in Europe, it is here in Christchurch that they returned very humble, though as heroes. It is therefore a great privilege for me to recognise in their hometown, on behalf of the President of France, the dedication to service and the bravery of these gentlemen.”

Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour seeks to reward both military and civilian distinguished services rendered to the nation. The awarding of these medals to Mr Stewart and Mr Davis falls under a campaign of recognition undertaken by France to officially recognise the veterans who fought in the Second World War as well as the civilians who worked in the shadows to facilitate the liberation.

The New Zealand Defence Force plays an integral role in the identification of New Zealand veterans to be awarded the Legion of Honour. As part of this campaign, ten New Zealanders have already been recognised for their contribution to the liberation of France - Mrs Phyllis Ada Latour (Pippa Doyle), Mr Penwill Moore, Mr John Morris, Mr Keith Boles, Mr Hugh Findlater, Mr Roger Maclean, Mr Neil Harton, Mr John Munro, Mr Clive Estcourt and Mr Noel Sutherland.

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