DAY OF MOURNING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 198, 5 June 1939, Page 5

DAY OF MOURNING

TRIBUTE PAID BY A VICAR. SERVICES IN THE HOME FLEET. HITLER EXPRESSES SYMPATHY. (United Press Association —Copyright.) Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) . LONDON, June 4. It was a day of mourning ht Birkenhead. . Many relatives and friends ot the crew of the Thetis attended a service in the century-old parish Church of St. Mary’s, which stands alongside the shipbuilding yards from which the Thetis' began her trial trip. The vicar, speaking from the altar steps, said: “Forgive me if I can’t adhere to the custom of entering the pulpit-. ” There are times when formality should he broken. “Ho added that .a memorial seivice was being arranged. The Mayor of Birkenhead is calling a meeting to consider opening a fund for the dependents. A special prayer for tho relatives oi the victims was offered at Westminster Abbey. Thirty thousand naval ratings attended. memorial services held on every ship and shore establishment of the Home Fleet. No further information is available at the offices of Cammed, Laird and Co. Tho official who sees the press could make no comment on the Admiralty’s announcement that the work now proceeding is the responsibility of Cammoll, Laird and Co. Messages of sympathy with the relatives of tho crew of the Thetis have been received from their Majesties, Herr Hitler, and the French Navy. Herr Hitler also cabled a message of sympathy to the King. THE DOMINION’S SYMPATHY. MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. AUCKLAND, This Day. A message has been sent by- the Gov-ernor-General (Viscount Galway) to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in connection with the loss of the submarine Thetis, as follows: “The Government and people of New Zealand learned with tho deepest regret of the disaster that befell the Thetis, and of the tragic loss of valuable lives. To the relatives of those unable to be rescued they sent heartfelt sympathy.”