A BLACK RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 44, 20 August 1925, Page 9

A BLACK RECORD

"Only a year in the servicer-and so fervent a patriot that he enlisted "for death, or decommissioning"—Jone member of the Melville's crew has a record unique and lurid (says the Dunedin "Star"). .He joined the vessel at Vallejo, jn California, and no one thought much .of his .personality—a very ordinary sort of '.'gob" of questionable parentage and upbringing. But since he left the shores of Vallejo he has' sure made tilings luim. "Scars oh neck" is the entry made in his service record ton the date of enlistment —and subsequent, entries make the existence of.the.scars no matter of surprise. He* has several assaults to his discredit—in each case a savage attack on some holder of a corresponding rating" on another ship. He intended to scalp one victim; and but for the intervention of the shore patrol wSuld have certainly emerged with some grim trophy of the •truggle. " One charge against him was that of inciting a riot at Pearl Harbour between other members of the Melville's crew and the.marines at the harbour by spreading a, false report that he was dead. Since coining to Dunedin he has not been allowed ashore. Witnesses who saved him from punishment at the last court martial are under a heavy bond to ensure that he is kept aboard, unless under' strong escort. But for. air his,,peccadillos he it an estimable .chap, always ready to shake hands, and there is not a man on the Melville, from the' Admiral down who would part with Fearless Duke, enter- '■ ed in the service record—he has one of his ■ own just like any member of the fleet—as "official ship's dog."