H.M.S. DIOMEDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22023, 4 August 1933, Page 5

H.M.S. DIOMEDE

WARSHIP RECOMMISSIONED ARRIVAL OF NEW OFFICERS. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, August 3. With the liner Rangitane, from London, last night, came Captain Cosmo Graham, who this morning took over th« command of H.M.S. Diomede from Captain V. A. C. Crutchley, V.G. Also, passengers by the liner were a number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and Imperial ratings for the cruiser, which has been recommissioned after her refit. No ceremonial marked the transfer of the command of the cruiser.

Captain Graham, who has not previously visited the Dominion, served in destroyers during the greater part of the war. Following a period at the Admiralty training schools he took a course in flying, and was later transferred to an aircraft carrier. Subsequently he was flag captain with the cruiser squadron in the Mediterranean in charge o if the Curacoa. He was promoted, to the rank of captain in June, 1930. Commander J. W. Farquhar is the youngest son of Admiral Sir Arthur Farquhar, and joined the navy in 1910. He was in the Berkow at the Battle: of Jutland, and after the war he served for some time on the Australian station. From 1927’t0 1929 he was in the Campbell as leader of the 6th Flotilla, and from 1930 to 1932 he was in H.M.S. Nelson.

Other new officers for the Diomede are:— v Surgeon-commander J. W. Tighe, who served in “ Q ” ships during the war, and later saw service in the Persian Gulf. For a time he was attached to the Valhalla in the Atlantic fleet, and later served on the Australian and China stations. He has come to New Zealand from Bermuda Naval Dockyard. Lieutenant M. A. C. H; Hardcastle, who replaces Lieutenant-commander R. Airey. Lieutenant P. Bethell, who replaces Lieutenant R. J. H. Ryan. Lieutenant C. R. Havergal, who replaces Lieutenant C. W. Jones. Sub-lieutenant R. H. A. Kidson, Lieutenant M. Archdall (Royal Marines), and Lieutenant N. V. J. T. Thew.

In addition to about 150 Imperial ratings the Rangitane brought several gunners, warrant engineers, and warrant shipwrights. Among the last-named was G. R. Davis-GofF, a New Zealander.