LOSS OF PURIRI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 16 May 1941, Page 4

LOSS OF PURIRI

CONDITION OF INJURED MEN (United Press Association) Auckland, May 15. The condition of Able Seaman West, who was admitted to hospital after the loss of the Puriri, is reported to-day to be serious. Able Seaman Stewart is in a fairly satisfactory state. The survivors were brought to Auckland last evening. The missing commander, Lieutenant Blacklaws, was 37 years old. Born in Scotland, he was educated in England, where he trained as a naval cadet. He came to New Zealand while serving in the Mercantile Marine. He was navigating officer in the Aorangi for four years. He was called for service with the Navy on the outbreak of war, and had served as navigating officer in H.M.S. Monowai. j Four years ago Lieutenant Blacklaws married Miss Ruth Scott, and has a daughter, Sonya, aged two. His mother resides in Aberdeen. A brother was in the Dunkirk evacuation. There are several brothers in South Africa. Of the other four missing men, Able Seaman Leon Purkin was born in Auckland 27 years ago, and had done six months’ service in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. His mother, Mrs M. Moriarty, lives in Sandringham. Another of the crew, Steward George Edward Roy Hobley, was born in Donegal and saw service with the Mercantile Marine before enlisting two months ago. His wife, Mrs Hobley, lives at Mount Albert.