Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, DSO, Part 6, N to P,
Instituted in 1886 for
“Acts of gallantry by Military Officers for which a
Victoria Cross was not considered appropriate”.
During 1914 to 1916 some were awarded in conditions
that could not be considered under fire.
Many were awarded to Squadron Commanders for a long
period of leadership, but in some cases, it was awarded to
a Junior Officer for one operation.
Prior to 1943, the award could only be awarded to someone
who had been Mentioned in Dispatches”.
In 1942 the regulations were amended to allow the award
to be made to officers of the Merchant Navy for gallantry
in the presence of the enemy.
Total issued up to 1983
1291 plus 113 First Bars and 18 Second Bars
Over 300 DSO’s were awarded to New Zealanders
during both World Wars.
Description
The Cross is of gold, enamelled white, with gold edges.
Having on one side, in the centre,
within a wreath of Laurel enamelled green,
The Imperial Crown in Gold.
On the Reverse, within a similar wreath,
and upon a similar ground,
The Royal Cypher.
It hangs from its ribbon by a gold clasp
ornamented with Laurel.
While a similar clasp is worn at the top
of the ribbon.
The ribbon is 32mm wide
Membership is only open to commissioned officers
or their equivalents
W/C, C W K Nicholls 34224
DSO, OBE
7th October 1918 to
Joined the RAF in 1934,
24th August 1934 he was promoted to P/O
Promoted to F/O 3rd June 1936.
Was a test pilot at Aeronautical and Armament Experimental
Establishment from 1940 to 41
CO Handling Squadron at Empire Central Flying Training School
at Hallavington 1942 to 43,
Divided into “A” “B” “C” “D” Flights “D” flight did the “odd jobs” like
“Refreshing” training to Senior Naval Airship Pilots.
This was the period that “Pilots Notes” began to be used to tell
new pilots the best way to deal with an unusual peculiarities
of their aircraft.
CO Operational Training Wing at Ohakea 1943 to 44.
NZ Fighter Wing at Bougainville in 1944
Senior Air Staff Officer with No 46 Group, Transport Command
from 1945 to 46
CO No 24 Commonwealth Squadron September 1946 to March 48
Air Attache at Nanking 1948 to 49
Retired on 7th October 1958
W/C, DSO on 1st August 1944, in the Pacific
On the 9th February 1944, W/C Nicholls was appointed
CO RNZAF Fighter Wing and Officer-in-Charge,
Fighter Operations, Terokina.
During the Japanese shelling of the Bougainville Bridgehead
between 3rd March and 15th April 1944, he earned unstinted
praise from the US Commanders for his masterly handling
of the many Squadrons, both RNZAF as well as US-based
on his airfield.
He set a fine example which was a constant source of inspiration
to the Squadrons under his command and by his efforts he
Organised, Trained and led a Fighter-Bomber Wing of
exceptionally high standard.
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G/C, E G [Ted] Olson,
DSO
27th February 1906 to 15th May 1945
Joined RAF in 1926 to 29
Joined the Territorial NZAF in 1930
Joined the RNZAF in 1935
Air Member for Personnel 1939 to 41
NZ Liaison Officer Air Ministry 1942
From April to July 1942 was CO 75 [NZ] Squadron
and flew the first 1,000 Bomber raid on Cologne
75 Squadron on Stirlings
CO Honiton
CO Oakington 1942 to 43
Air Officer Commanding RNZAF HQ London 1944 to 45
Flew over 4,000 hours on operations
G/C DSO on 20 April 1943 as CO Oakington, He is a most
Experienced pilot who has completed nearly 4,000 hours.
Until August 1942 he was in command of a Squadron where he
frequently took part in operations.
Since then his wide knowledge of flying and firm but tactful handling
of men have been displayed most effectively in command of a
Bomber Station
F/O, C G Parker,
DSO
DSO on 5 September 1944 on 9 Sqn RNZAF
A S/L, J G Pattison,
DSO, DFC, Legion d’Honneur
27th January 1017 to 11th September 2009
He had learned to fly at Hawkes Bay and East Coast
Aero Club and had 20 hours flying time when the war
broke out.
He volunteered for service with the RAF and arrived
in the UK in late July 1940.
Posted to No 7 Operational Training Unit
Posted to No 266 Squadron at Debden, flying Spitfires
arriving on 26th August 1940.
On his first operational flight, intercepting a force of
enemy bombers, he became separated from the rest of
the Squadron and ran out of fuel, made a “Wheels Up”
landing in a field.
On 14th September 1940, he was posted to No 92 Squadron
at Biggin Hill, also flying Spitfires.
On the 23rd September 1940, he was attacked by a Me 109
over Gravesend and received serious thigh wounds from
a cannon shell.
He spent the next 8 months recovering in the hospital.
Posted back to the Squadron in June 1941.
At the end of June 1941, he was posted to No 61 Operational
Training Unit as an Instructor.
He disobeyed standing orders and flew under the Severn
Railway Bridge, this cost him 3 months seniority as a penalty.
In April 1942 he was posted to 485 [NZ] Squadron at Kenley.
On the 26th April, the Squadron was attacked by FW190’s and
4 aircraft were hit, 2 pilots were lost, Patterson’s engine was
damaged and he bailed out off the Sussex Coast, where he was
rescued by an Air-Sea-Rescue Launch.
Posted to No 56 Operations Training Unit as Chief Instructor
In June 1943.
Posted to No 66 Squadron in March 1944, where he was involved
with the Invasion of Normandy.
On the 6th July 1944, he claimed a Me 109 Destroyed near Chartres.
In August he claimed a FW 190 destroyed near Montrichard.
Posted as CO to 485 [NZ] Squadron in September 1944, he led
the Squadron in support of the advancing Armies through France,
Belgium and Holland.
When the Squadron was withdrawn from the front line in February
1945 he was posted to the Staff at HQ No 84 Group.
At the end of the war, he had flown at least 259 operational sorties,
and been credited with two enemy aircraft destroyed.
Discharged from the RAF in January 1945 he returned to NZ and
became a farmer at Waipawa.
DFC in June 1943 for his Determination, Zeal and Courage
DSO on 20th March 1945, He has set the highest standard
of Skill and Courage and shown the finest qualities of
Leadership both in the Air and on the Ground.
Legiond’Honour at the time of the 60th Anniversary commemorations
of the Normandy Landings in 2004, the award was presented by the
President of France, Jacques Chirac
S/L, I Patterson,
DSO, MID,
19th August 1917 to
Joined the RAF in March 1939
To Coastal Command
F/O on Atlantic Ferry unit 1940 to 41
Transferred to RNZAF in December 1943
Operations Staff Azores 1943 to 44
Tasman Empire Airways Limited in 1944
DSO on 16th February 1943 on 500 Squadron
A S/L, S G [Ces?]Pattison,
DSO, DFC,
DSO on 22nd February 1944, on 487 [NZ] Squadron
A W/C, J H Player -RAF-, 40316
DSO, DFC,
13th July 1914 to 8th August 1947
Joined RAF in 1937
CO No 255 Squadron 1942-43 flying Beaufighters
in a Night Fighter role.
He took a detachment to operate from the landing
ground at Souk el Arba, just over the Tunisian Border
and close to the front line.
They had practically no Ground Crew and the normal
maintenance work was done by the Pilots and Observers.
In the first fortnight, they had claimed 16 enemy aircraft.
On one sortie he claimed 3 bombers destroyed within an hour,
One He 111 and 2 Savoia 79’s
In June while on patrol near Bizerta, he was directed to an
unidentified aircraft,
After a 10 minute chase, the aircraft was sighted and identified
as a tri-engined Cant Z1007.
After 2 short bursts, with 2 engines ablaze the aircraft plunged
into the sea
Personal Staff Officer to Air Commodore in Chief, AEAF 1944 - 45
Staff Duties, DG of P Air Ministry 1945
Died of injuries in an Air Accident 8th August 1947
DSO 1 October 1943 on 255 Squadron
F/O, D L Prichard, 36203
DSO
15th November 1916 to
Joined the RAF in August 1939
Flew Fairey Battles in France
Posted to Coastal Command
Flew with No 75 [NZ] Squadron as a F/O.
On the 30th June, when 35 miles from the target his
Wellington was attacked by a Ju 88 at close range.
A cannon shell hit the Starboard engine, the bomb doors were
blown open, and both gun turrets damaged.
He carried on with the mission and dropped his bombs within
the target area.
He then managed to fly back to base and make a successful
crash landing
This was his 15th operation with No 75 [NZ] Squadron
Posted to No 15 Operational Training Unit on 17th July 1941
To Reserve, as a T S/L on 16th August 1944
Promoted to W/C on 1st July 1954
DSO on 25 July 1941 on No 75 [NZ]Squadron
Part One, A to C
Part 2, D to F
Part 3, G to I
Part 4, J to L
Part 5, Mc to M
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