WINNER OF THE V.C.

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 4

WINNER OF THE V.C.

ARRIVAL IN DOMINION HEROISM ON SUBMARINE (O.c. WELLINGTON, Wednesday A winner of the Victoria Cross, Lieutenant P. S. W. Roberts, R.N., who gained the award with Petty-Officer Gould on the submarine Thrasher in the Mediterranean in February, 1942, arrived in the Orion today. . In June, 1942, Lieutenant Roberts, in conjunction with Petty-Officer Thomas "William Gould, was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry on His Majesty's submarine Thrasher, which was then one of Britain's latest and best underwater

craft. The citation stated that in daylight the Thrasher attacked and sank a heavily-escorted supply ship and, consequently, was immediately attacked with depth charges and bombed from the air. When, after dark, the submarine was brought to the surface two unexploded bombs were found in the gun casing and Lieutenant Roberts and Petty-Officer Gould volunteered to remove them. The bombs were of a typo unknown to the men and the danger in dealing with the second one was very great. To roach it, the two men went*through the casing, which was so narrow that they had to lie full length to move the bomb through it. In complete darkness they pushed and dragged the bomb 20ft until it could be lowered over the .side. Their deed was the more gallant, because the Thrasher's presence was known to the enemy, slic was close to the enemy coast, and in waters where patrols were known to be active. ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY (0.C.) WHANG AT?EI, Wednesday To enable the Whangarei Borough Council to consider again the question of amalgamation of the electrical undertaking of the borough with the North Auckland Electric-Power Board, notice of motion was given at a meeting of the council last night to rescind a resolution now on the books breaking off negotiations with the board. At a sitting of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government the board made representations which the council considered undermined the negotiations, which were broken off. The board requested the council to reconsider its attitude.