CHEQUE FOR THE NAVY

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 July 1941, Page 7

CHEQUE FOR THE NAVY

N.Z.E.F.’s GRATEFUL TRIBUTE PRESENTATION CEREMONY (From the N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, July 23. Unique in the history of the Services, a simple ceremony took place on a recent morning, when a delegation from the N.Z.E.F. handed over to Admiral Cunningham a cheque for £B2O/11/-. The simple and unostentatious ceremony manifested the sm-gularly-close ties of friendship binding the members of the two great Services, the Army and the Navy. This unusual gesture on the part of the N.Z.E.F. was born on the beaches of Greece and Crete, where the cry. “It’s the Navy, boys!” was the clarion call which roused the New Zealanders and gave them new hope. So gallant was the action of the Mediterranean Fleet in evacuating New Zealand soldiers,, under a mostterrific bombardment, that soldiers oi the Dominion force later felt obliged to express their gratitude in some tangible form. The result was a substantial cheque, made up entirely from voluntary subscriptions from all ranks. Another feature of the ceremony itself that has its own significance was the fact that the cheque was delivered into the hands of the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, not by General Freyberg himself or by the senior commander. ■lt was a private from an ambulance unit who delivered the cheque, and expressed with impressive eloquence the gratitude of the personnel of the N.Z.E.F. for the great work of the Fleet in the two campaigns. The arrangements for the reception of the New Zealand party were made by the Vice-Admiral commanding a cruiser squadron. They were met on board His Majestv’s ship by the Captain. It was appropriate that the shin chosen had several New Zealand ratings in her company. General Freyberg was accompanied by a representative party of officers, noncommissioned officers, and other ranks iTorn N.Z.E.F. units. The naval party comprised personnel from His Majesty’s ship, and an officer and five ratings from several other vessels. The function took place on the quarterdeck, but was broadcast throughout the ship. General Freyberg introduced Private D. W.' Sampson, a Christchurch soldier, who was to hand over the cheque and express the gratitude of the N.Z.E.F. for the fine work of the Mediterranean Fleet in the campaigns in Greece and Crete. SERVICES RECOGNISED It was because of the deep feeling of gratitude and high admiration that the members of the N.Z.E.F. had for the services rendered by the Navy, that the New Zealanders counted it an honour to be able to present the cheque on behalf of their comrades, said Private Sampson. They were thankful for the convoying of the New Zealanders safely from their homeland to the various scenes of action, and in particular for their association with the Navy in the evacuations from Greece and Crete. “It’s all right, the Navy’s here!” These words, uttered as the German pris-on-ship Altmark was boarded, and Nelson’s famous “England Expects” had come to be symbolic of the spirit of the Empire, and in particular the Royal Navy, ‘he added. “On the beaches of Greece and ' Crete, we heard those words again, as though coming from the shadowy past,“ said the speaker. “We heard those same words, filling, us ; with- courage and assurance,. On -board -those; ships, the hospitality was something'to 1 be long remembered.” The manner .in which the men of the Navy went out of their way, even giving up their beds in many cases to make New Zealand soldiers comfortable, would never be forgotten. “We understand,” said Private Sampson, “that this money has been set aside to help the dependents of those of your crews who gave thenlives on these dangerous undertakings, that we might be brought to safety. To us. it gives no small satisfaction that the money should be used in that way. Further, we regret that circumstances make it impossible to arrange a gathering of the whole N.Z.E.F. at which this presentation could be made. You can be assured that the hearts of the men are in this to the full. Were they here, . would show in the most-hearty and boisterous manner, just how deeply those feelings run.” Concluding, Private Sampson asked Admiral Cunningham, on behalf of the officers and men of the N.Z.E.F., to accept the sincere token of their appreciation and high admiration of unflinching devotion to duty in times of danger. ADMIRAL’S REPLY. “We are always very glad to see you on board our ships, and we only wish you would come more often,” said Admiral Cunningham, in extending a welcome to the visitors. “It .is just over 26 years ago that the little ship I then commanded, landed a battalion of New’ Zealanders at Anzac. Well I remember how much all of us were impressed by them, how we admired diem, and what close friendship there was between our sailors and those fine men.” Admiral Cunningham gave an assurance that the same reelings or admiration and friendship entertained in those days, were present lor those who, he presumed, were the sons or nephews of those men of 26 years ago. He even believed that those feelings existed co a greater degree. “We followed your doings in Greece and Crete with interest and admiration. First, there was heavy fighting against heavy odds, then the arduous well-conducted retreat and gallant rearguard action, and finally the welldisciplined embarkation and passage to Crete, not without its own particular perils. Again,, there was the battle in Crete, iii which we were able to take part, and where you did all men could do! These two episodes were, I suppose, failures, but they were glorious failures, and I believe they will have a material effect on the final outcome of the war, which will be our complete victory.” Reference to the arduous retreat over the mountains to Sphakia, where the troops were taken off, was made oy the speaker. It was the work of the Navy to take those troops off. and it was gladly and proudly done. There was no necessity even for thanks from the New Zealand troops. “But. now you come forward with this splendid to our benevolent* fund. When I read the generous terms of General Freyberg’s letter, and heard the very nandsome and flattering things Private Sampson said, and realised the kindly feeling which prompted the gift, I at once decided that I could do nothing else but accept it on behalf of the Mediterranean Fleet. I do that now, most gratefully. This sum will be sent to our benevolent fund, and we will try to have it earmarked for the benefit of the dependents of those who fell in the evacuation of Greece and the battle of Crete. In conclusion, on behalf of the ships who were Brivileged to be associated with you in rese operations, let me again thank you most gratefully for this very generous gift, the kindly spirit which prompted it, and the very kind and nandsome words which accompanied it. We hope that this will not be the end of our association, and that soon we will have men of the N.Z.E.F. on board our ships again, this time steering towards the enemy and to final victory.” The New Zealand party were entertained to lunch, and a special treat, for other ranks was a conducted tour lover a submarine.