Following the Turkish airborne landings and subsequent reinforcement with additional infantry, armoured and artillery troops in the area of Nicosia and particularly the area of the Nicosia International Airport, Corporal Wayne Busenius of 1 AB Field Squadron was temporarily assigned as Colonel Beattie’s driver. During the Colonel's tenacious attempts to negotiate a ceasefire, Corporal Busenius led the Colonel through through no man’s land to reach the Turkish commander as the Turks approached UNFICYP Camp at the Morphou Gate. Busenius, armed with a UN flag, tactically led the party through mines, UXBs, barbed-wire obstacles and Greek fire to get Colonel Beattie to the Turkish lines. Often employed as Major Harries’ driver, he used his advanced first aid training to tend to many wounded civilians and soldiers as he traversed the danger zone over the following days.
For the complete background, see: Cyprus 1974 - The Sapper Story Part 3 – Nicosia Airport
Corporal W. E. Busenius has been appointed to the Order of Military Merit in the grade Member for professionalism and devotion to duty during the fighting in Cyprus in July 1974. His unselfish, humanitarian and military actions on 23 July 1974 during the battle for Nicosia Airport had considerable effect on restoring the situation, preventing further bloodshed and ensuring the most favourable United Nations presence in the area.