Bravery
p. 14 · Read in the full issue
Pilot W. E. Clark
Awarded George Medal For Bravery
After more than 18 months’ delay, Pilot William Ernest Clark, formerly employed in New Guinea by the late Kevin Parer’s air transport company, has been awarded the George Medal for out -1942 mg bravery at Salamaua in January, On that occasion, he and Mr. Parer were on the Salamaua aerodrome, pre paratory to taking off—he in a Fox Moth, Parer in a Dragon, The aerodrome was then attacked with machine-gun fire by Japanese aircraft.
Parer ran to his machine to try to get it into the air, but was fatally wounded as he entered the plane. As the Dragon burst into flames, Pilot Clark, who had
THE New Guinea Women’s Club will hold its next function at the Feminist Club Rooms, 77 King Street, Sydney, at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28. Entertain ment will take the form of a travelogue of California, kindly made available to the club, through Lady McNicoll, by Mrs. Dalgarno, who will give the commentary on the film. It is understood that this film and commentary have been given at many Red Cross functions, with much success. It should prove equally interesting to Territories residents. Admission will cost 2/6, and proceeds go towards club funds.
been sheltering, crossed the aerodrome, which was still under heavy fire, and removed the body from the cockpit. He received severe burns on the hands and was slightly wounded by machine-gun bullets.
Kevin Parer, of the well-known New Guinea family, had been in the Territory for many years and had always been con nected with air-transport. In 1937, when the Wewak goldfield was well established, he went into business for himself, at first with a small Fox Moth and later, as the business proved successful, with the addi tion of a Dragon machine. His untimely death, in such a fashion, is regretted, as one of the real tragedies of an altogether tragic period in the history of New Guinea.
Pilot Clark (not to be confused with Flight-Lieutenant G. J. I. Clarke, RAAP, formerly of Carpenter Airlines, who was killed in operations off Dakar in Septem ber, 1940) had been associated with Parer’s air-transport company for a con siderable time. He is now employed by an Australian airline company.