1954 New Zealand bravery awards explained

The 1954 New Zealand bravery awards were announced via a special honours list on 29 January 1954, and recognised four people for acts of bravery in the aftermath of the Tangiwai disaster on 24 December 1953.

George Medal (GM)

• Arthur Cyril Ellis – postmaster, Taihape.
• John Warren Holman – of South Beach, Plimmerton.

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Civil division

• Arthur Dewar Bell – of Raetihi.
• William Ian Inglis – railway guard, of Ngaio, Wellington.