NAVAL SERVICE IN FIVE WARS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22705, 9 May 1939, Page 10

NAVAL SERVICE IN FIVE WARS

♦ MR P. M’GOVERN, OF HAWERA, DIES HAWERA, May 8. The death occurred at Hawera yesterday of Mr Peter McGovern, who had the distinction of having seen service in five wars. He was over 70 years of age and was born in New Zealand. Mr McGovern at an early age went to England, where he joined the Royal Navy in which he saw most of his active service. His first experience under fire was during the Matabele campaign of 1894. He served in the Boer War until its close, the Bpxer Rising in 1900, and the campaign in North Africa against the “Mad Mullah” in 1905. Mr McGovern served in submarines during the Great War, being one of Commander Hainsworth’s crew in its epic submarine raid under the nets and mines through the Dardanelles. The submarine reached Constantinople and the incident gained for its commander the V.C. At the close of the Gallipoli campaign, Mr McGovern returned to England and transferred to the famous “Q” ship Dunrgven, serving under Rear-Admiral Gordon Campbell, who was also awarded a V.C. Mr McGovern had letters of appreciation from Admirals of the Fleet, Lord Jellicoe and Lord Beatty. He was the holder of the Distinguished ( Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal. Upon his retirement to the reserve, he held the rank of first-class warrant officer.