MYSTERY OF HIGH HONORS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14286, 1 May 1917, Page 3

MYSTERY OF HIGH HONORS.

BRAVEBT DEEDS IN NAVAL

HISTORY.

LONX>ON, 'March 15. The British puWic a year ago was stirred to its soul by the news that a hitherto inconspicuous naval officer had,;, been promoted to commander over the heads of several hundred senior lieuten-anfc-commianders. To-day the samw thrill of mingled admiration and astonishment .greeted, the announcement that this commander, Gordon Campbell, had won both the Victoria Cross and the Distinguished Service Order. No war mystery since the outbreak of hostilities has aroused such widespread comment^ and curiosity as this news of Campbell's remarkable rise. At the beginning of the war he was a senior officer on a small, ] old-fashioned destroyer. /When news of his promotion reached London all England was searching for a record which would merit the sudden rise from obscurity to fame. ■Few* persons, even, those connected with _ naval affairs, had heard his name mentioned as being a figure in .British, sea- faring life. In the short period of twenty-four hours Gordon Campbell had burst from obscurity to a conspicuous place in the conduct of Britain's war. i Following to-day's announcement a storm of enquiries reached the British war offices. Everyone sought details of acts which brought Commander Gampbell the highest mark of distinction. But the Admiralty authorities havo declined to furnish a-nv details to a curious public. Tlie only statement forthcoming from the Admiralty was the following official confirmation of the announcement, together with an unofficial opinion of an admiralty official. * <l We can not say what Commander Gordon Campbell did. The public must understand -that tiiSs act waa highly desearvinc of the honors which he has received. It was one of the most srallant deeds ever performed by a British naval officer. When the war is over it will read like one of the mast thrillring, and at the same time romantic stories over told. But at this present moment we can- not even hint what it is." • s