CORVETTE’S CREW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 4

CORVETTE’S CREW

HEROES OF GUADALCANAR WARM WELCOME AT AUCKLAND (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Mar. 12. Queen street was lined with large crowds, including many Allied servicemen, when the gallant crew of the New Zealand corvette which was mainly responsible for sinking a Japanese submarine off Guadalcanar marched in honour to the Auckland Town Hall this morning. Flags flew about the men, and in their ears, which so recently rang with the tumult of battle, there was now the roar of cheers and the applause of an admiring city. The men, headed by Lieutenant-commander G. Bridson, came from many parts of New Zealand, but the cheers they heard today were the cheers of home. Later, at the official luncheon, ihey heard words of praise tendered on behalf of the Government and the city, but in the warmth of the welcome expressed along the route to the hall the greatest honour haci been done. To-day’s scene was reminiscent of the tumultuous reception of the company of the Achilles which marched along Queen street in similar circumstances after an honourable part in the River Plate battle. These men—trim, bronzed, and firm stepping—were fighting men of the navy. Not by the movement of a muscle did they show that they were conscious of admiration, but in the lack of show they were the more impressive. In their passing the crowd saw a comparatively small parade of the might of Britain, the growing power of the Allies, and the stuff of victory.