PUBLIC INVESTITURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20275, 17 June 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC INVESTITURE

HEROES OF RIVER PLATE ACHILLES DECORATIONS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. An investitute was held by the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, in the Town Hall on Saturday night, when he presented most of the decorations awarded to officers and ratings of H.M.S. Achilles for their conduct in the River Plate action against the Admiral Graf Spee. Other decorations were presented at an investiture held in Wellington several weeks ago. Many relatives of the men attended but the attendance of the general public was small. Officers and men receiving decorations were: Commodore W. E. Parry, C. 8.. Commander D. M. L. Neame and Lieutenant-Comman-der R. E. Washbourn, D. 5.0., Lieutenant G. G. Cowburn, and Gunners E. J. Watts and H. T. Burchcll, D.S.C., Sergeant S. J. Trimble. C.G.M., Able Seaman E. V. Sherley, Able Seaman H. H. Gould, Ordinary Seaman T. L. Rodgers, Boy A. M. Dorset, Mechanician L. Hood, Chief Stoker W. J. Wain, Chief Yeoman of Signals L. C. Martinson, Chief Telegraphist W. L. Brewer, Ordnance Artificer G. H. Sampson. Cook A. G. Young, and Sergeant F. T. Saunders, D.S.M. Before presenting the decorations, Lord Galway explained that the investiture was being held publicly by command of the King. The last decoration he presented was to Chief Yeoman of Signals Martinson, who, with one leg still in plaster, was unable to go up on the stage. Lord Galway, accompanied by Lady Galway, walked over to him to make the presentation.