The Royal New Zealand Artillery

Earlier this week, Gunner Derek Rixon, DCM was buried, and today there was a commemoration of his life at Hastings RSA.  The Regiment was represented by the CO, Lt Col Ben Bagley, who read the Colonel Commandant’s note on behalf of the RNZA – Below:

7th January 2016

206285 GUNNER DEREK EDWARD RIXON, DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL,
16th FIELD REGIMENT, ROYAL REGIMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERY

Greetings fellow Gunners, Veterans, family and friends. As the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, I very much regret that I am not able to join you to celebrate the life of such a gallant Gunner. However, I am very pleased that the Commanding Officer 16th Field Regiment has agreed to pass on a few words for me.

You will all be aware that Derek Rixon won his Distinguished Conduct Medal for sustained gallantry over several hours on 4 November, 1951. This medal is second only to the Victoria Cross. During that intense action with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, Derek's regiment, 16th Field Regiment, won four awards for gallantry, all awarded to the observation post parties from the Regiment who were forward with the Scottish Borderers when they came under intense attack. These actions stand at the very peak of bravery within the New Zealand Army, and certainly within the gunners.

Just to cover it briefly, when his radio set was finally destroyed by shellfire, his telephone line communications were cut and his company position was under an intense ground attack which had got onto the position, he and his OP officer armed themselves with grenades and charged through heavy fire to get to the enemy at close quarters. For the next 90 minutes he and Peter King, his OP officer, continued to fight the enemy at close range to drive them off the position. Peter King was wounded three times and Derek once, in the head. Derek also made a number of trips back to the Company HQ under fire, to restock on grenades and ammunition.

The pair only stopped their assault on the enemy when they were ordered to withdraw. Derek then helped carry Peter King out of the battle area through heavy shelling and rifle fire, and was wounded a second time during the carry.

One can only imagine the sort of courage, disregard for oneself, and dedication to duty displayed by Derek. The KOSB’s regarded the action of these two as an inspiration to the infantry of Charlie Company during the fighting, and they are part of the Battalion’s history in the UK.

Derek had in fact enlisted in the UK with the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War, and served with them operationally for most of 1945. He returned to New Zealand and joined the newly raised 16th Field Regiment in August 1950, arriving in Korea with the main body in December that year. He would have been closely involved in the great battles in April 1951 on the Imjin River, including the battle of Kap‘yong, where his Regiment won a Presidential Unit Citation which they still wear on their chest today.

Derek returned to New Zealand in the middle of 1952 and was discharged from the Army. He rejoined for a short period in 1953, I presume by invitation, to be part of New Zealand's Coronation Contingent, at the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

On behalf of all members of 16th Field Regiment, past and present, and all gunners, we thank Derek for his distinguished contribution during the early days of the Regiment at war. His work and gallantry set the high standards for which the Regiment is still known for today, and towards which they always strive in their work. He was a gallant man who by all accounts also lead a full and interesting life outside the Army.

The Regiment was lucky to have him with us for a few years.

For his family and friends, please accept the deepest sympathy from his Gunner colleagues and our sadness at his passing.

Barry Dreyer
Colonel Commandant
Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery