VETERANS OF THE NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20083, 22 October 1928, Page 10

VETERANS OF THE NAVY.

EARLY DAYS RECALLED.

THE VICTORY TO GRAND FLEET.

SURRENDER OF THE GERMANS

Veterans of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Association attended the annual Trafalgar Day luncheon on Saturday. As usual, they were the guests of Mr. W. B. Leyland, who presided. There were 24 present, including representatives of 11.M.5. Philomel and of the newly-formed White Ensign Club, the members of which are veterans of the younger generation.

The enjoyment of the gathering would have beon more complete had Mr. Rowley Hill, ono of the oldest veterans in the i Dominion, been present. When reading the list of apologies, the chairman said word had been received that at the ago of 92 Mr. Hill was confined to his homo with a severe cold. Wide Span of Service. I. A feature of the reminiscences of the veterans was a comparison of the old with the new. Mr. W. 11. Glibbery mentioned that he served 011 Lord Nelson's flagship, the Victory, "but not with Nelson." "I was a member of the signal school and wo 'bunting tossers' had to work sometimes, I can tell you," he said. Mr.* Glibbery said discipline was exceedingly strict on the Victory. The instructors were always saying, 'Nelson would not have permitted' this or that, until at last the name of Nelson was not very popular. "During the Great War I was under Jellicoe and Beatty, with the Grand Fleet," continued the veteran, "and I think I am right in saying I am the only one hero who was present when the German fleet surrendered. Can you imagine a lot of drunken firemen wandering down Queen Street, with spick and span sailors lining the sides'! That is best how the parade of the German fleet, between two lines of bristling British battleships, can be described."

The day of the surrender was foggy and no one on the British ships had a clear view of the German fleet. Tho following day, however, Mr. Glibbery had an opportunity of examining the fleet at close quarters. Tho sailors on all the enemy ships crowded the decks and seemed very happy and "would have exchanged gold watches for bars of soap." "Portmanteaux and Wrist Watches."

"To-day you sec sailors coming ashore armed with portmanteaux," Mr. Glibbery added. "I wonder where they keep them. (Laughter.) Good gracious, these modern sailors with their portmanteaux, wrist watches, and lip-stick. (Laughter.) Anyway, if I could take 30 years off my life, I would go back again. When it comes to the point, these present boys are as good as the men of the past." (Applause.) "Tho boys of the present day are treated as hunup beings and are coaxed to do their work rather than belted to do it," said Mr. H. Taylor, of H.M.S. Philomel. "And you can get more out of them under present methods."

Describing himself as a bluff old sailor who stood fast and foremost for the British Empire, Captain C. G. I'. Wheeler, proposing the toast, "Kindred Forces," said it did not matter what a man was so long as ho was loyal to the Union Jack. Tho flag was flying in all parts of tho world,' and it had all been accomplished by the British sailor. Mr. W. B. Leyland said the' association should bo grateful to the Victory League, which was responsible for saving tho Victory from destruction. Captain J. Stichbury, who is 86 and was tho oldest veteran present, and Mr. John McCallum, also recalled tho early days. Old sea chanties were sung lustily by tho veterans, while tho, custom of distributing foot-long clay pipes was preserved.