Proud Reply To Nelson’s Famous Signal

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 8

Proud Reply To Nelson’s Famous Signal

(Received 3 p.m.) LONDON, February 23. The Guildhall has known more spectacular scenes but none more historic, as 7GO men took their seats. During the luncheon an orchestra played the march “Heroes of the River Plate,” composed by Conductor-Cap-tain F. V. Dunn. Proposing the toast of the officers and men of the two cruisers, the Lord Mayor said that for the courage, daring, skill, seamanship and tenacity the victory merited an honoured place in the annals of the Royal Navy. Thrill of the War. They lvad heard stories of the enemy’s new engines of destruction, but there was one thing the enemy could not build—“boys of the bulldog breed, some of whom we honour today.” Nothing had given the nation a greater thrill since the outbreak of war than the story of the battle of the River Plate. The Lord Mayor welcomed the presence of six captains who were prisoners on the Graf Spee. Cable from Auckland. The Lord Mayor read a cable from the Mayor of Auckland, referring to the welcome to the Achilles men, and Captain Woodhouse. in reply, said: “We are grateful that those who arranged our forces in South America should have strengthened them early in the war by the Ajax's gallant and efficient sister ship Achilles.” Captain Bell, of the Exeter, spoke of the care and skill displayed by Conn modore Harwood in training the squadron both before and during the war. As a demonstration of the depth to which preparations of action were thought out, Captain Bell said that not one signal was exchanged between the admiral and the Exeter from the time contact was made with the enemy, to the time the Exeter fell out of action. Mr Churchill said that he did: not suppose the bonds uniting the Navy and the nation, or those joining the Navy and the Mercantile Marine were ever so strong as today. The brunt of the war had fallen upon sailors and upon men of the Coastal Command of the Royal Air Force, and although nearly 3000 lives had already been lost, the unrelenting struggle went on without a moment’s respite. Fierce Action a Relief. Ke referred to the ceaseless watch kept by, British ships all over the world, and said that from the long strain of vigilance, which continued ceaselessly week after week in storm, cold and fog, fierce action was almost a relief. “It .will be a comfort to the whole Navy, that you, my Lord Mayor, and the city of London, wished to show heartily your approval of the way the Royal Navy is carrying on and is going to carry on until not only the cargoes by which we live but the high purposes we have in hand are brought safely into port.” After referring, amid prolonged cheering, to the rescue of prisoners by H.M.S. Cossack and her flotilla “under the noses of the enemy and amid the tangles of one-sided neutrality.” Mr Churchill concluded: “To Nelson’s memorable signal of 135 years ago, ‘England expects every man will do liis duty/ there may now be added last week’s not less proud reply: ‘The Navy is here’.”