GRAF SPEE BATTLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 26 February 1940, Page 7

GRAF SPEE BATTLE

CREWS OF EXETER AND AJAX MARCH THROUGH LONDON SCENES OF WILD ENTHUSIASM [British Official Wirelessl RUGBY. 23rd February. Amid scenes of the greatest enthusiasm, officers and men of H.M.S. Ajax and Exeter marched through London to-day on their way to the Guildhall to be entertained by the Lord Mayor. Before the march began those members of the ships’ companies who have been awarded distinctions for the part they played in the River Plate battle received their decorations at the King’s hands. The first to receive his award was Captain Woodhouse, of the Ajax, and the last, amidst sympathetic silence, was Mrs Russell, widow of Marine Russell, who, although both his arms had been shattered, remained on deck cheering on his shipmates until he died. The King later spent some time talking to relatives of those killed in action. The Queen paid special attention to little children. The Guildhall has seen many receptions to public heroes, but never before have nearly 800 men been feted there at one time. Proposing the toast of the officers and men of the two cruisers, the Lord Mayor said that nothing had given a greater thrill to the people of England since the war began than the account of the battle of the River Plate. For courage, daring, skill, seamanship, and tenacity it merited an honoured place in the annals of the Royal Navy. He read aloud a message from the Mayor of Auckland, where the company of H.M.S. Achilles were being similarly entertained. Captain Bell, of the Exeter, spoke of the care and skill displayed by Commodore Harwood- in training the squadron both before, and during the war. As a demonstration oi the depth to which the preparations for the 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. NO RESPITE AT SEA The First Lord of the Adramtily, Mr Churchill, said 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 to-day. The brunt of the war had fallen upon the sailors and upon the men of the coastal command of the R.A.F., and although nearly 3000 lives had already been lost, the unrelenting struggle went on without a moment’s respite. He 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 a fierce action was almost a relief. “It will be a comfort to the whole Navy that you, the 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 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 >y H.M.S. Cossack and her flotill:. “under the nose of the enemy am amid tangles of one-sided neutrality,” Mr Churchill concluded:

“To Nelson’s memorable signal 135 years ago, ‘England expects that every man will do his duty,’ there may now be added last week’s not less proud reply, ‘The Navy is here., ” CHEERING MULTITUDE inspection by th:: king DECORATIONS PRESENTED LONDON, 23rd February. A mild and bright though sunless morning greeted the officers and ratings of the Ajax and Exeter as they assesmbled at Waterloo Station for the march to the Guildhall. Londoners

took the keenest interest in the celebration, and took up positions early along the route. Flags were freely displayed. The huge crowd which gathered at Waterloo Station brok3 into tumultuous cheering as the sailors marched from the main entrance. The procession marched through streets dense with a cheering multitude. The men of the Ajax led the procession, then came Captain Woodhouse, of the Ajax, and Captain Bell, of the Exeter, marching side by side before those of the Exeter.

Thunderous cheering greeted their arrival at the Horse Guards Parade, where the men formed a hollow square facing the Admiralty. His Majesty wearing the uniform of an Admiral walked on to the parade ground and began his inspection while the Queen and the Duchess of Kent watched from a window of the Admiralty. Cheer after cheer arose as His Majesty, accompanied by Captain Woodhouse and Captain Bell, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound, Mr Churchill, and Mr Chamberlain shook hands. The officers walked round the ranks of ratings and marines.

The investiture followed at a plain wooden table. Captain Woodhouse was the first to receive his award. The crowd was hushed at the sight of the last recipient, a black-garbed widow with whom His Majesty conversed for a minute. Then the Queen joined His Majesty as he took the salute while the men marched past.

The Guildhall has known more spectacular scenes, but none more historic as the 7GO men took their seats. Captain Woodhouse and Captain Bell sat on either side of the Lord Mayor, with Mr Churchill nearby. During luncheon an orchestra played the march “Heroes of the River Plate,” composed by the conductor, Captain F. V. Dunn.

The Lord Mayor, toasting the men of the Ajax and the Exeter, said they had shown the world that the Royal Navy was ready, able, and willing to accept a challenge whenever and wherever it was offered. They had heard stories of the enemy’s new engines of destruction. “There is one thing the enemy cannot build,” he said —“boys of the bulldog breed, some of whom we honour to-day.”

The Lord Mayor welcomed the presence of six captains who were prisoners on the Graf Spee. The Lord Mayor read a cable from the Mayor of Auckland referring to the civic luncheon to the officers and men of the Achilles, and conveying fraternal greetings to those of the Ajax and of the Exeter.

Captain Woodhouse, in reply, said; “We are grateful to those who arranged that our forces in South America should be strengthened early in the war by the Ajax’s gallant and efficient sister-ship Achilles.” VISIT TO AUSTRALIA POSSIBLE INVITATION TO THE ACHILLES BRISBANE, 25th February. The Acting Minister for the Navy Mr Street, said that the possibility of inviting the Achilles to visit Australia would be discussed by the Naval Board on Monday. overseajTmessages WARM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Messages of greeting and congratulations to H.M.S. Achilles received from the French Republic and the Commonwealth of Australia, were acknowledged to-day by the New Zealand Governemnt. In a cablegram to the French Minister of Marine (M. C. Campinchi) his Excellency the Governor-General expressed the Government’s appreciation of the message from the French Government, and added: "The good wishes of our gallant French ally are warmly valued here, and the reading of your message was most enthusiastically received.” Mr Savage’s reply to the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, was in these terms: “I deeply appreciate the message that you were so kind to send us in connection with the return to New Zealand of H.M.S. Achilles. Your message was broadcast throughout the Dominion and read to the assembled ship's complement, and the Government and people of New Zealand share the good will of the Government and people of their sister Dominion—Australia.”