LUCKY BUT SAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24138, 3 December 1941, Page 6

LUCKY BUT SAD

TWO ABLE-SEAMEN MISSED FATEFUL TRIP / f "GREAT LITTLE SHIP" GONE SYDNEY, Dec. 1 Two of the luckiest men in Sydney, although two of the saddest, are AbleSeaman Reg. Simpson, of Glebe, and Able-Seaman W. Williams, of Western Australia. The two had been on the cruiser since the war began, but missed her last trip because of illness. They were waiting in Sydney to rejoin the ship when news of its loss was received. "She has delivered some hard blows," said Simpson. "She survived many dangerous experiences and we enjoyed many thrilling moments in her. Throughout the ileet she was known as the 'lucky ship' and the 'glamour ship,' because of what she had survived and because of the world-wide publicity she had earned. / "She was also known as the 'fighting ship.' No matter what they called her, she was a great little ship and her crew was a big, happy family." Because of their hat-bands, both men were conspicuous in the streets when rumours began to circulate about the loss of the cruiser. Anxious relatives who had received certain news by telegram from the Naval Office stopped them to ask for news. The men finally sought permission to replace the capbands. NEW ZEALAND CHAPLAIN REV. GEORGE STUBBS The chaplain in H.M.A.S. Sydney, the Rev. George Stubbs, served on loan from the Royal Australian Navy on the New Zealand station from 1921 to 1926, and had many friends in New Zealand. Born in Christchurch in 1885, ho was educated at Sehvyn College, Dunedin, and gained the degree of licentiate in theology at Durham University in 1912.

Before joining the Royal Australian Navy in 1915, Mr. Stubbs was successively curate at Palmerston North and vicar of Balclutha in the three years following his ordination in 1912. He then transferred to the Australian Navy, and served in most of the ships then on that station. He wept back to Australia after his five years in Auckland and again served as chaplain in various ships. ; Married in 1926, Mr. Stubbs had one daughter. His interest in the sea was carried over to his leisure time, and he was a keen yachtsman for many years. He also played golf and was a competent amateur gardener..