HEROES OF RIVER PLATE

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 4

HEROES OF RIVER PLATE

PUBLIC INVESTITURE HELD OFFICERS AND RATINGS OF ACHILLES (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 16. A public investiture was held by the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) in the Town Hall on Saturday night when he presented most of the decorations awarded to officers and ratings of H.M.S. Achilles for their conduct in the River Plate action against the German pocket battleship Graf Spee. Other decorations were presented at an investiture held in Wellington several weeks ago. Many relations of the men attended, but the attendance of the general public was small. The officers arid men receiving decorations were Commodore W. E. Parry, C. 8., Commander D. M. L. Neame and Lieutenant Commander R. E. Washbourn, D. 5.0., Lieutenant G. G. Cowbum and Gunners E. J. Watts and H. T. Burchell, D.S.C.. Sergeant S. J. Trimble, C.G.M., Able Seaman E. V. Sherley, Able Seaman H. H. Gould, Ordinary Seaman T. L. Rodgers, Boy A. M. Dorset, Mechanician L. Hood, Chief Stoker W. J. Wian, Chief Yeoman of Signals L. C. Martinson, Chief Telegraphist W. L. Brewer, Ordnance Artificer G. H. Sampson, Cook A. G. Young and Sergeant F. T. Saunders, D.S.M.

Before presenting the . decorations Lord Galway explained that the investiture was being held publicly by the command of the King. The last decoration he presented was to Chief Yeoman of Signals Martinson who, with one leg still in plaster, was unable to go up on the stage. Lord Galway, accompanied by Lady Galway, walked over to him to make the presentation.