NAVAL CADETS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 129, 2 June 1945, Page 9

NAVAL CADETS

BRILLIANT SUCCESS

FOUR NEW ZEALANDERS

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), as chairman of the Naval Board, yesterday released details of the brilliant success achieved overseas by the first four New Zealanders selected for training in the Royal Navy as direct entry permanent officers of the Royal New Zealand Navy. One of them, Lieutenant John M. Armstrong. 21, son of Mr. Leslie Armstrong:, 14 Goring Street. Wellington, was among a batch of officers of the Royal New Zealand Navy who arrived recently to take foreign' service leave in the Dominion. Lieutenant Armstrong, then a naval cadet, left New Zealand in November, 1941, together with Naval Cadets E. C. Thorne, of Wellington, and M. J. McDowell, of Oamaru, and Naval Cadet (E) W. H. Peterson, of Wellington. The Minister said he had watched with especial interest the progress made by these cadets. Upon arrival in England, the cadets commenced their training as ■ perma^ nent officers of the Royal New Zealand Navy at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, alongside Royal Navy cadets and cadets oi: other Dominion navies. After two terms at the R.N. College, the four cadets were promoted to the rank of midshipman on September 1, 1942, and proceeded to ships of the Fleet, with vne exception of Midshipman (E) W. H. Peterson, who was appointed to ihe Royal Naval Engineering College, Key ham, for technical and professional training. FIRST-CLASS IN ALL SUBJECTS. Midshipman Armstrong at the passing out examination at the R.N. College gained four months' time and achieved the distinction of being awarded the Eardley Howard-Crockett Prize, which goes to the best all-round ' special entry cadet on passing out each term. After seeing service in H.M. Ships Devonshire, Hawkins, and Quadrant, he returned to England in May, 1944, to take courses for the rank of lieutenant, having been promoted to acting sub-lieutenant on the first of | that month. In the examinations held at the end of each course, Acting-Sub-Lieutenant Armstrong gained firstj class certificates for all subjects, that is, in seamanship and astronomical navigation, torpedo, air, gunnery, antisubmarine, navigation, signals, and radar, and as a result, was awarded the customary prize of £10, to be ex-

pended on books or instruments. On completion of the courses, he proceeded to join H.M.S. Anthony for sea service.

Midshipman Edward C. Thome, son of Mr. E. A. A. Thorne, Dundas Street, Seatoun, gained four months' time also at the passing-out examination of the Royal Naval College, and served in H.M. Ships Devonshire, Hawkins, and Redoubt. He was promoted to Acting-Sub-Lieutenant on May 1, 1944, and returned to England that month _to take the courses for the rank of lieutenant, gaining first-class, certificates in torpedo, gunnery, navigation, and signals, and second-class certificates in seamanship and astronomical navigation, air, anti-submarine, and radar. On completion of the courses, he went to sea again in H.M.S. Lamerton. Midshipman Maxson J. McDowell, son of Mr. R. A. McDowell, Wansbeck Street, Oamaru, gained two months' time on passing out of the R.N. College and served in H.M. Ships Birmingham, Tana, Warspite, Hawkins, and Redoubt. Similarly to his contemporaries, he was promoted to acting sub-lieutenant on May 1, 1944, and joined H.M.S. Excellent that month for courses for lieutenant, gaining first-class certificates in torpedo, anti-submarine, and navigation and second-class certificates in seamanship and astronomical navigation, air, signals, and Radar. He then joined H.M.S. Wolsey.

Midshipman (E) William H. Peterson, son of Lieutenant-Commander (E) C. W. A. Peterson, D.S.C., R.N.Z.N.R., of Wellington, after engineering experience and training in H.M. Ships Norfolk and Kent, is back at the Royal Naval Engineering College, where, at the intermediate examination held in midsummer, 1944, he passed creditably and accordingly was promoted to the confirmed rank of Sub-Lieutenant (E) with seniority of August 1, 1943. PROMOTIONS GRANTED. Upon reviewing the complete results of the courses, the Naval Board approved the promotion of Acting SubLieutenants Armstrong, Thorne, and McDowell to the confirmed rank of sub-lieutenant, R.N.Z.N., Armstrong and Thorne with seniority back-dated to August 1, 1943, and McDowell with j seniority back-d*ated to October 1, 1943, and the Ijoard decided to promote the three sub-lieutenants to the rank of lieutenant, R.N.Z.N., as soon as they had gained their watchkeeping certificates after three months' service at sea after courses. All three have now obtained their watchkeeping certificates; ! Sub-Lieutenant Armstrong has been promoted to lieutenant with seniority of August 1, 1944, Sub-Lieutenant Thorne with seniority of November 1, 1944, and Sub-Lieutenant McDowell is being promoted to lieutenant with seniority of January 1. 1945.

The Minister recalled that in farewelling the cadets in 1941, he had expressed confidence in their ability, and it was gratifying to know his hopes for them had been fully realised and that they had done so well in their training. The members of the Naval Board, who had received excellent reports on these officers from their commanding officers, had also expressed their pleasure at the results achieved. These officers had indeed set an example for naval cadets following them. In classes comprising officers of the Royal Navy and Dominion navies, Lieutenant Armstrong had been placed first in order of merit in gunnery, navigation, and signals, and second in air and anti-sub-marine. Lieutenant Thorne had been placed first in order of merit in navigation and signals and second in gunnery. Lieutenant McDowell also gained high marks in all subjects and gained second pl*ne in signals. The Mini^r added that Lieutenants Thorne and McDowell. R.N.Z.N. v would also return to the Dominion this year to take their foreign service leave. He h»d received information from the High Commissioner in London. Mr. Jordan, that the 19^2 naval c«dets. Midshinmon E. H. Mace, of Wellington, and W. R. Williams, of Morrinsvjlle, had been nromoted to anting sub-lipu-ten^t. R.N.Z.N.. with effect from Mny 1, 1945. and they were therefore returning to England to take their courses for the rank of lieutenant.