ACHILLES FIRED 200 BROADSIDES

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 8

ACHILLES FIRED 200 BROADSIDES

Gallant Scroll Of Honour Unfolded In Awards

(Received 11 a.m.)

LONDON,'February 22. \ GALLANT SCROLL IS UNROLLED WITH THE PUBLICATION BY THE ADMIRALTY OF THE LIST OF AWARDS TO OFFICERS AND RATINGS OF THE ACHILLES, AJAX AND EXETER, CROWNING THEIR VICTORY OVER THE ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE.

The list follows the annoimeemrnt in December of the award of Knight Commander of the Bath to Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, in command of the three cruisers, and the award of Companion of the Bath to Captain W. E. Parry, of TT.M.S. Achilles; Captain C. 11. L. Woodhonse, of HALS. Ajax; and Captain F. S. Bell, of HALS. Exeter. f ft is revealed that the Achilles fired 200 broadsides.

» The Admiralty states regarding the Achilles: “Her chief yeoman of signals did not fail in battle. Her chief ordnance artificer ensured that all guns were in action and all ammunition hoists working throughout the engagement.” Made Ready for Test. Awards of the Distinguished Service Order for setting an example in perfecting their ship for battle are made to Commander D. M. L. Meame, of the Achilles; Captain Graham, of the Exeter; and Captain Everett, of the Ajax; also to Lieutenant I. D. De’Ath, Royal Marines, of the Ajax; and Lieut. R. E. Washbourn, of the Achilles. Lieutenant Washbourn, although wounded in the head, continued in control cf the gun-direction tower after three men had been killed and two wounded, and secured a high rate of hits. In this shambles. Sergeant S. J. Trimble, Royal Marines, won the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for standing fast while wounded in the head, and helping the medical party to move wounded shipmates. , The explosion in the tower threw a heavy responsibility on SurgeonLieutenant C. G. Hunter, a New Zealander, who. in spite of his youth, manifested judgment and organising ability. He is awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.