The Inside Story The Navy Tells A Yarn Or two

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1940, Page 10

The Inside Story The Navy Tells A Yarn Or two

pOR sheer good comradeship which penetrates much more than skin depth, the Private D recommends the annual reunion of the Whangarei R.S.A., which in the words of our American spectators, reaches a new high. This year’s event was made even mere notable by the presence of three extremely witty gentlemen of the senior service, whose speeches would have made even a Ribbentrop lose his sense of over-riding dignity. Their sparkling treatment of subjects cannot be recaptured in print, but a few of the anecdotes can be netted.

riOMMANDER McClintcck told how lie first became acquainted with the term “Digger.” As a young naval officer he was partridge shooting in the back country of the Island of Lemnos, in the Mediterranean. Meeting an old Greek he inquired whether many Irish soldiers had been stationed there during the Great War. “Yes,” the local inhabitant replied, “Lots of Irish, lots of Welsh, lots of Scotch, lots of English and lots of b Diggers!”

'T'HE definition of “Royal Marine” as furnished by Lieut.-Commander Lewis was “a soldier with a sailor’s thirsE” Discussing preferences among the three Services, Lieut.-Commander Lewis said Naval men pitied the infantry for the long route marches which they had frequently to make before mechanisation of the Army. There was the story of the party which had penetrated to the top of a valley and were then informed the route was blocked and <hey would have to retrace their steps 25 miles. The commanding

officer called upon those who could not face the long trek to take three paces forward and every soldier did so except one small, weak looking infantryman. He stood fast. The commanding officer came forward to congratulate him upon his fortitude. “Blimey,” the solider retorted, "Twenty-five miles! I can’t even take the three paces forward.” * * < * ASSOCIATED with an English parade ground well known to the Anzacs of the last war was a sergeant-major—-a real sergeant-major, said Captain Conyers-Brown, who, as a raconteur upheld the prestige of the soldiery. During a strenuous course of training the 'sergeant-major died, and all the troops paraded at the funeral. The padre, delivering a panegyric, described tfie sergeant-major as a perfect man, well respected and greatly liked. During a moment’s silence in the service, the voice of one Digger addressing his mate broke in: “Bill, they’ve got the wrong corpse!” *,* * * TN his reply to the toast of “Our Guests,” Commander McClintock levelled a barrage of his rapier-like wit upon Commander L. Alderton, R.N.V.R., referring to his minesweeping activities at “a tenner a time” and how being.in charge of a naval court-martial at Malta had palled upon that gallant gentleman when he found he was not collecting his usual 50 guinea fee. Commander McClintock also sought to know in confidence why his comrade had left Whangarei, his birthplace, and where he was educated. • It was all done in the besi good humour, but later, when he got the opportunity of replying, Commander Alderton seized the opportunity of squaring his own yardarm.

“HPHERE is something you really should know about this Commander McClintock, who has-been making such disparaging remarks about me,” he said. “Commander McClintock comes from that most distressful country, having been born only a few miles from Waetford, and consequently in this war, is no more or less than a b neutral.” Everyone roared, including the Irish naval officer, who earlier in the evening had made no secret of being proud of his nationality.