TRIBUTE TO SHIPMATE

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3677, 7 March 1940, Page 5

TRIBUTE TO SHIPMATE

late able-seaman shaw cambridge sailors visit his Mother There have been many important functions for the crew of H.M.S. Achilles Since she arrived at Auckland, but for the five Cambridge boys ho event connected with the homecoming will last longer in their memories than' the visit paid on Tuesday to Mrs H. Galley, the mother of their shipmate, Able-Sea- ; . man Archibald C. H. Shaw, who died at his post during the battle 'with the "Graf Spee."

To Mrs Galley, it was a day of

sadness, and yet of satisfaction. Her initial grief of three months ago was revived with the first sight of the "blue-jackets," but when they told her of the esteem in Which her son was held by all, and the magnificent way in which he died while doing his duty, to outward appearances the usual cheery nature by which she is known to many friends in Cambridge was restored. Accompanied by several friends, the five Cambridge boys, Acting Petty Officer S. Keeley, Able Seamen A. Speight and W. Care, and Stokers M. Wallace and S. Lorimer, left Cambridge shortly before nine o'clock on Tuesday. They were farewelled by several prominent citizens, including the Mayor, MiEdgar James, who regretted that he ( could not accept the invitation to make the trip. Mr James conveyed an expressive message from Cambridge to Mr and Mrs Galley.

Cheered Along the Road

On the journey the two cars

carrying Union Jacks attracted

much attention, and cheers were received from everyone on the road who recognised the sailors and

waved to them. It was not realised by most of these people that the boys were carrying out the saddest duty of their leave. Nearing their destination in the Mamaku Hills, they were met by an 018 lady who gave her name as

Mrs Walsh. She told them that she had heard that the sailors were on

their way to visit her neighbour, and she felt that she would like to congratulate them on their glorious achievement. She shook hands with them, and said that she had a grandson who had just been accepted for the Navy.

Further on? ; iit the rugged Mamaku country, the cosy homestead of Mr and Mrs Galley was reached. Mrs Galley was visibly affected as she met the boys, but they comforted her as if she had been their own mother. Several of them she knew as being close friends of Able Seaman Shaw when the family lived in Cambridge. % : z\.

1 Moist 'lnformal 1 Visit

There was ho speech-making to break the informal nature of the visit, the five 'shipmates payipg spontaneous tribute,,to their late shipmate., #rs Galley was reassured that her son had died instantaneously and bravely while carrying out important work in the conning tower of the ".. She had a long with Acting

Petty Officer KeeleyT who joined the Navy at the same time as Able Seaman Shaw, and also' with Stoker S. Lorimer, who has-always been a

particular friend of i the family. "When we heard that there had been casualties in the 'Achilles,' we agreed that some mothers' sons had to go, but it was very hard to know later that one was mine," said Mrs Galley. She thanked God, however,

that the other Cambridge boys had returned safely. Later, when reminiscences were

being exchanged, Mrs Galley said that Archie had sometimes laughed when going away after leave, and remarked that when he died, it would be with his boots on. They had enjoyed the joke with him, but it was very sad when it come true.

R.S.A. Wrdath ttom Cambridge

During the morning, Mr H. H. Speight handed Mrs Galley a laurel wreath which ithe Cambridge Returned Soldiers had placed at the foot of the ./cenotaph on the day the men of the "Achilles ? * had been welcomed home. Mrs Galley said she would convey ihef thanks in writing to the association. Congratulations to the "Achilles" crew on their great effort against the "Graf Spee" were extended by Mr Galley. They. would be going out again and he hoped that they would all return safely. He assured them that their visit

had meant a great deal to Mrs Gal-

ley. Her son's death had been all * the sadder in that he had not been home on leave before the

"Achilles" departed, but the presence of his friends had done much

to ease their grief. Several photographs were taken, and before leaving, Mrs Galley provided the party with a sumptuous luncheon. Mr Galley stated that he retained a warm spot in his heart for Cambridge, and he wished to be remembered to all his friends.

Welcomed at Rotorua

In the early afternoon, the Cambridge party continued on to Rotorua,; where they were met by Mr and Mrs F. C. Bunyard, former Cambridge residents. At the Blue Baths' restaurant they were joined by Mr L. Ewert, the deputyMayor, and a light repast was partaken of. After the lavish meal provided by Mrs Galley, this was somewhat unexpected, but embarrassment was saved by the sailors living up to their tradition of being "good eaters and good fighters." Mr Ewert congratulated the boys on their wonderful effort, and said, that Rotorua was proud to have them as visitors. IHe presented each sailor with an illustrated booklet showing scenic views of Rotorua. Mr H. H. Speight returned thanks to the Rotorua Borough Council, and especially to Mr and Mrs Bunyard. A visit was paid to Whakarewarewa before returning to Cambridge, where the boys were entertained to dinner at the National Hotel as the guests of Mr and Mrs V. E. Rickit.

Captain Parry's Praise

Captain W. E. Parry and his wife were in Rotorua on Tuesday, but they were visiting other scenic attractions during the time the Cambridge party was there. At a civic welcome to him the. previous night, he had made special mention of the death of Able Seaman Shaw, whom he referred to as a gallant sailor of the type that the Navy did not like losing. Captain Parry had expressed similar sentiments in a letter that he had written to Mrs Galley from Montevideo.