ACHILLES POINT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 12

ACHILLES POINT

MEMORIAL UNVEILED ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE SYMBOL FOR FREE MEN Auckland's pride in the performance of the New Zealand cruiser Achilles and her gallant company in the epic battle of the River Plate was given tangible and permanent expression yesterday afternoon, when the memorial on Achilles Point was dedicated and unveiled. It was fitting that the ceremony was held on the first anniversary of the memorable action which resulted in the destruction of the German pocket battleship the Admiral Graf Spec. Situated on a projecting headland overlooking a wide expanse of the Waitemata Harbour east of St. Heliers, the memorial takes the form of a lookout, which somewhat resembles the forepart of a ship. Low concrete walls surmounted with iron railings converge to a point like a ship's bow and the upper portion of the enclosure is not unlike the upper structure of a vessel. Representative Gathering

The. Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, welcomed a large representative attendance, including the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. .Jones, Commodore W. E. Parry, C.8., R.N., Chief of the Naval Staff, who commanded the Achilles in the action, .Mrs. Parry, .Mrs. H. E. Horan, wife of Commodore H. E. Horan. D.S.C., two officers and ratings who served on the Achilles in the battle now in H..M.S. Philomel, and Chief Yeoman of Signals L. C. .Martinson, D.S.M., who is still suffering from wounds received iu the action. Commander C. IT. T. Palmer, president of the Navy League, Mr. H. Luke, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and numerous representatives of local authorities were also present. A special welcome was accorded by the Mayor to the next-of-kin of officers and men of the Achilles. Auckland's Privilege Sir Ernest said it was the privilege of Auckland city to have, dedicated the reserve and memorial to the gallant performance of the officers and men of the Achilles. Jn its design it sought to present a permanent impression of naval background. "Auckland will never forget the association of the Achilles with the historic battle, nor will it allow time to erase its gratitude to those members of the ships company who made the supreme sacrifice," continued the Mayor. Those were Seaman I. W. Grant, Telegraphist M. J. Ali 1 burn, Seaman C. H. Shaw and Telegraphist F. Stennett. Jn dedicating the memorial and unveiling the commemorative plate, the Minister of Defence said he did riot know of any site more appropriate to give expression to the Dominion s appreciation of the gallantry of the men of the Achilles. He paid a tribute to the services of Commodore Parry. The Minister also paid a tribute to the valour of New Zealand s fighting forces. Speaking on behalf of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. Luke said he was happy to be associated with the occasion and congratulated the Mayor and the City Council on constructing the memorial.

Long Ladder to Climb

Commander Palmer said the memorial was a tribute to the Royal Navy, to which we in New Zealand owed our safety. He paid a tribute to the gallant work'of the men of the merchant navy and expressed the hope that their work would not be forgotten. Commodore Parry, who was given a splendid reception, said the Mayor had always taken a great in the Navy, but his action in providing this memorial had surpassed all his previous efforts on its behalf. ".! feel as if 1 were standing on the bridge of the Achilles giving an order to open fire." he remarked amid loud applause. He regretted that it had not been possible to have the Achilles and its company present. "To-day we can view the action °f River Plate iu a better perspective.'' Commodore Parry continued. "It was a rung in the ladder toward victory, but it is going to be a long and painful ladder to climb." A warm tribute to the men of the merchant navy was paid bv Commodore Parry. " I hey are indeed superb and are in the front line," he added. Memorial's Message Referring to the memorial. Commodore Parry said Achilles Point would stand as a reminder of the fiat tie _ of River Plate. He hoped that succeeding generations would be unscarred and untroubled bv the grim tragedies of war. "He concluded with the stirring passage: "Let the name of Achilles for this point of land ever mean to them a sign that free men, with minds not nourished by the lusts of war but bred in peace and hoping ever for peace, can if the call comes show themselves better men and better fighters and better conquerors than their foe." The Papakura Military Camo Band, under the baton of Caofain G. Ruckley. played selections prior to the commencement of the ceremony and at the conclusion it plavod the hymn "For Those in Peril on the Sea." the company singing several verses.