MEN RELEASED ON PAROLE

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 6

MEN RELEASED ON PAROLE

RECRUITS FOR FLEET AIR ARM NO FURTHER COMBATANT SERVICE Because of an undertaking given to the enemy that they would not again take up arms against Germany or her allies, those members of the armed forces who were released after their capture from the Rangitane are not to be given the option to continue to serve in a combatant capacity. Advice to this effect was received yesterday from the naval authorities by Mr Cleland Millar, of Invercargill, who was one of those released on parole by the enemy after the Rangitane was sunk by raiders in the Pacific. Mr Millar was on his way to England to train with the Fleet Air Arm. The communication received bj' Mr Millar was as follows:— “As a result of consideration by his Majesty’s Governments in the United Kingdom and in Nev; Zealand, it has been decided that members of the armed forces who were released by the enemy on giving an undertaking such as you gave after your capture from the Rangitane are not to be given the option fo continue to serve in a combatant capacity. “The Naval Board has decided to release the Fleet Air Arm ratings from their undertaking to serve in the Royal Navy and they will, therefore, be discharged from the service on April 30, 1941. or as soon thereafter as practicable.”

The men affected are given the option of continuing in the naval service in shore establishments in a manner not requiring them to bear arms against the enemy. The personnel released from the raider are being asked whether they desire to be considered for such noncombatant employment if it can be made available.