General Information

Award Citations

George Medal

On 26th January, 1942, the aircraft in which this officer and airman were first and second pilot respectively was attacked by 2 Japanese fighters and compelled to alight on the open sea. The aircraft sank after a short time and the crew of four took to the water wearing their life jackets. Flying Officer Webster surrendered his jacket so that another member of the crew, who was a heavy man and a non-swimmer, might be adequately supported. The fourth member of the crew was semi-conscious owing to the shock of the forced landing. Flying Officer Webster and Sergeant Van Praag supported him and towed the non-swimmer to the shore. They were in the water for 30 hours, during which time they beat off several shark attacks. In saving the lives of their companions in circumstances fraught with grave danger to themselves they both exhibited courage of the highest order.

Archival Material

National Archives of Australia

Series No.	Control Symbol	Item Title	Digitised Item	Item ID
A9300	VAN PRAAG L M	VAN PRAAG LIONEL MAURICE : Service Number - 60431 : Date of birth - 17 Dec 1908 : Place of birth - SYDNEY NSW : Place of enlistment - PARKES NSW : Next of Kin - VAN PRAAG GWENDOLINE		5240556

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