SHIP’S COMPANY PARADES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 8

SHIP’S COMPANY PARADES

MARCH THROUGH STREETS

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, MB.) took the salute in Cathedral square when members of the company of the Australian aircraft-carrier, Sydney, paraded through the streets of the city yesterday morning. The parade marched to the music of the colourfully-dressed ship’s band. From the railway station in Moorhouse avenue to Gloucester street and back the streets were lined with thousands of persons. The official party on the dais in the Square included the Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet (RearAdmiral H. M. Burrell) and his flag lieutenant (Lieutenant-Commander R. Brokenshire), the commanding officer of H.M.A.S. Sydney (Captain G. C. Oldham, D.S.C ), the Australian services defence representative in New Zealand (Colonel S. G. Bleechmore), the officer commanding the Canterbury division of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (Commander J. N. Allan) and the acting-staff officer of H.M.N.Z.S. Pegasus (Lieutenant J. T. Bridgman). The parade was led by the fleet gunnery officer (Lieutenant-Commander D. Hamer) and the aircraft-carrier’s Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot (Lieutenant J. OTarrell). One of the smartest groups in it was a small detachment of 21 midshipmen.