THE SOUTHLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16547, 22 November 1915, Page 5

THE SOUTHLAND.

HEROISM OF THE TROOPS.

HOW THE AUSTRALASIANS FACE DANGER.

SYDNEY, November 21. (Received Nov. 21, at 3.30 p.m.) The censor has released the following story related by a subaltern on board the Southland, and dated London, November 13 ; — " Suddenly at 10 in the morning a sentry shouted: 'My God, a torpedo!' Wo watched the line of death getting nearer until the crash, and the old ship reeled. Then an order was heard that the ship was sinking, 'Abandon ship,' and, without a cry or sign of fear, or more hurry than in a brisk march, and with the singing of ' Australia Will Be There,' the orders were carried out. I cannot say how magnificent they were. We went to our stations and, lowered the boats in an orderly and careful manner and took our specified places, the injured going first. I and another subaltern went round the ship collecting the injured and opening the bars and smashing all spirits in case of panic. After a thorough search we returned and helped to lower the boats. I left with the last boat along with the general and staff. Out of 1600 soldiers on board, we lost only one officer and 36 men, of whom 12 were lolled by the explosion. We lost Brigadier-general Linton, a. fine man, "I would like to write to every pa,per and say that never can men have faced' death with a show of 'greater courage, more nobility, and a braver front than did the Australians and New Zealanders on board the Southland." The writer likens them to the marines on board 1 the Birkenhead, and adds: " They sang 'Australia Will Be There,' and, by God, they were. We knew them brave in the charge, and now we know that they are heroes. Long live in honour the- men of the 21st and 23rd Australian Infantry. 1 '