THE NAVY’S HERE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20185, 1 March 1940, Page 6

THE NAVY’S HERE

ACHILLES DIGGERS GISBORNE’S WELCOME RIVER PLATE HEROES ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES Though arranged at short notice, and under some uncertainty as to whether any of the Gisborne members of the Achilles’ complement would be able to attend, the welcoming function held in Peel Street to-day in honour of men who fought in the River Plate action was marked by a large gathering of the public, and enthusiastic scenes as two men from the New Zealand cruiser received the congratulations of public men on the exploit in which they took part in December. Gunner Joseph Quinn and Seaman Duncan McColl, the first Gisborne men to return after having taken part in fighting in the war, were greeted with prolonged applause and cheering when they mounted the dais, where they were awaited by Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., and leading members of public bodies and organisations. It was explained that a third man from H.M.S. Achilles, Stoker Bert Millier, would return to Gisborne within the next 48 hours, and that he would receive the compliments of public men at a function in Makaraka. Honours of Naval Battle Opening the welcoming ceremony to-day, Mr. Coleman stated that the public had gathered several times at ‘lie same spot to bid farewell to men departing for camp, and bound eventually for 1 lie war areas. They had been glad to have the opportunity of so honouring men who were prepared to fight for all that was dear to the hearts of British people. To-day they met to welcome home, for a short period of leave, some of the Gisborne boys who had covered themselves with honour in the naval battle of the South Atlantic. (Applause.) People in this district were thrilled to hear of the exploits of the Achilles, since she was New Zealand’s own ship. They were more thrilled, however, when they realised that Gisborne was represented aboard the Achilles, and that this district had shared the glory of manning New Zealand’s ship for that bhttle. To give the Gisborne boys a right royal welcome home was the least they could do, he had thought, and in consultation with other people he had found the opinion unanimous. “In the name of the people of Gisborne and the whole district, I want to offer that right royal welcome to the men who represented Gisborne in the Achilles’ crew when she helped to defeat the unscrupulous but magnificent raider, the Graf Spee,” added Mr. Coleman, who concluded with an invocation of God’s blessing upon the guests of the gathering. May Good Fortune Continue Mr. W. G. Shcrratt, chairman of the Cook County Council, endorsed what the Mayor had said, and on behalf of the people of the county he warmly welcomed the men home. He hoped that their leave would be pleasant and that when they returned to duty at sea they would have as good luck as they had experienced in the immediate past.

The welcome offered by the exservicemen and women of the district to comrades in arms was voiced by Colonel R. F. Gambrill, president of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers’ Association. He complimented the two men of the Achilles on getting what in the last war would have been called a “spot of Blighty,” and congratulated them on the honour and good fortune of being present in a famous action, and coming through unscathed. In paying tribute to the Royal Navy for what it had done to make the seas safe, they could not forget the homage due to those who were less fortunate in the engagement with the Graf Spee. New Zealand’s history had been enriched by the action, and Gisborne thanked the men who had represented the district in that engagement. There had been a tremendous amount of pleasure in finding that the action Was rounded off by the rescue of the merchant mariners who had been carried as prisoners on the Allmarck, and who were liberated in the nick oi time. (Prolonged applause.) Watchword for the Empire “The Altmarck incident gave the Empire a watchword: ‘The Navy’s here!’ ” added Colonel Gambrill. “Well, the navy is here, and we as their townspeople welcome them.” Mr. Chas. Matthews, chairman of the East Coast Provincial Patriotic Council, joined in the welcome extended to the men of the Achilles. He was proud of the part that the Achilles took in the action off the River Plate, which ended with .such a glorious victory for the ships of the Royal Navy. He was proucPto share, in the welcome to Gisborne’s men who served in the New Zealand cruiser, and pleased to see that they had returned safely. It was worth noting, said Mr, Matthews, that on the day the town was welcoming home the first of its sons who had taken part in active warfare, the East Coast Provincial Patriotic Council was making an effort to swell the funds available for comforts for district men in all branches of His Majesty’s forces. lie had much pleasure in making a presentation from those funds to the two guests, whose share in upholding the traditions of the British Navy was a matter of great district pride. (Applause.) The council trusted that the recipients would have as much pleasure in spending the gift as the council had in making it. Gunner Quinn Makes a Speech Cheers for the naval men were renewed as the envelooes containing cash grants were handed to them by Mr. Matthews, and these were again taken up when Gunner Guinn stepped fdrward td acknowledge the welcome. "I have never made a speech before, and 1 don't want, to now," said Gunner Quinn. “But I should like to say how wonderful we feel your welcome has been. We always looked forward to coming home, and the day when we first saw Rangitoto looming up, the row we made would haw shown you how much we think of New Zealand. “We have had a marvellous time since landing, and coming down ft cm Auckland people could not an enough for us. And now we are noor 3 , and Gisborne’s welcome is best of all! On Seaman McColl’s behalf and my cwn. I thank you for what you have done, and for the gifts we have received.” Cheers were again given for the I sailors, and the National Anthem was I followed by the singnig of "The Lads

in Navy Blue,” before the major portion of the crowd dispersed. Note was taken by Mr. Justice Callao in the Supreme Court to-day of the reception to the Gisborne members of the crew of H.M.S. Achilles. His Honour adjourned the court at 12.40 p.m. so that all desiring to participate in the ceremony would have an opportunity to do so,