BATTLE OF JUTLAND SURVIVOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4474, 15 February 1917, Page 6

BATTLE OF JUTLAND SURVIVOR.

!'XTK Vd! DIN ARY STORY OF A NAVAL STOKER. An extraordinary story was told at Westminister Police Court recently when George 'Winterbourne, who was wearing a naval uniform, was charged <>:v rcnia.nd with being an absentee, h he man appeared greatly dazed. According to the evidence, Winterixuirno stated that - he was a survival from HALS. Defence at the battle ot Jutland. The official report was that there were no survivors, but defendant asserted that after the ship was blown up he was in the-water for hours, .supported by 'an air belt, and was picked up ' unconscious by a collier, which subsequently landed him near Newcastle. Since then he had been wandering about tbe countij, living on monev —some £20 —which he had on him iii his belt at the time of the ■disaster. M r Horace Smith directed Inspector Emptage to take the prisoner to the Vdnrindtv for his own story to be investigated. The Inspector returned with “the sailor and gave the Court further particulars. The man stated that he had only just been transferred to ths Defence before tbe naval action. When in the sea after the explosion a midshipman with an arm blown oft .-r a ve his name and his last message: Tfj\ vo )i S et through. Jack, tell father u - ( , ' winning.” The authorities overt" iued by reference to the c;asuai]j;st that there was a midshipman on board of the same name gKen ny accused. They were so far satisfied that they desired defendant detained and sent to Portsmouth. Air Horace Smith made an order to that effect.