THE WENDY HUT OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 281, 30 November 1935, Page 12

THE WENDY HUT OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

Aly Dear Children, — Our page holds a great deal of interest for you to-day by reason of c,ur 44 Hut’s Padre’s” return and the entry into our ranks of “The .lav.” The former is welcomed by one and all and now it only needs “Old Gran” to pop along to complete a very happy gathering. Even this may be possible, too, as it is near Xmas, and I feel .sure our wise counsellor will not let the passing of the Festive season go by without some word from her worthy pen. Let’s wish ever so hard and perhaps it will come true. list Letterland Day I dwelt upon the momentous events chronicled during the almost spent year, 1935, and to-day I have the passing of Earl Jellicoe to add to the long list. Earl Jellicoe, or Jellicoe of i>capa, as he was called, was the son of a captain of mercantile marine and was born on December 5, 1859, the Navy as a cadet at the age of 13. Eight years later he obtained a commission, showing marked ability in examinations. His first sea going ship was 11.M.5. Monarch-, in which he served as gunnery lieutenant. During his two years on this ship, he went to the rescue of the crew of a stranded steamer, in charge of a boat of volunteers. The boat upset in the heavy sea'and Jellicoe and his companions saved themselves with difficulty. He received the Board of Trade silver medal for his plucky effort. In 1893 he was appointed commander, and experienced another narrow escape from death in his first commend. This was 11.M.5. Victoria, flagship of the Mediterranean, Elect, which was rammed and sunk by the Camperdown. Jellicoe, who was seriously ill at the time, had to take to the water, and would have fared badly but for the support he received from a young naval cadet, P. D. Roberts-West, until rescued. He soon recovered and two months later was to the new flagship, the battleship Ramillies. Three years later he was appointed to serve on the Ordnance Committee. In 1900 he took part in the expedition to relieve the legations at Peking during the Boxer Rising, being badly ■wounded, for which he was awarded the C.B. He returned to the Admiralty as Director of Naval Ordnance in 1905, aiding considerably in experiments on long-range firing. Promoted rear-admiral in 1907, he was Third Sea Lord a year later. In 1910, as vice-admiral, he commanded the Atlantic Fleet. He conducted many important gunnery experiments both at sea and during his period in 1912 as Second Sea Lord. He led the “Red Fleet” during the 1913 naval manoeuvres. penetrating the defending forces’ lines and causing the Admiralty to strengthen the coastline defences. Jellicoe was second in command of the Home Fleet at Seapa Flow when war broke out, but the retirement of Admiral Sir George Callaghan was advanced a few months and Jellicoe assumed command of the Grand Fleet. He was made admiral in 1915, ami Admiral of the Fleet in 1919. His command was put to the test on May 31, 1916, when the German Fleet was encountered off Jutland. In conditions of darkness and poor visibility it escaped after a running fight, and although the British lost from 6000 to 7000 killed and 14 ships sunk to the German 2500 killed and 11 ships sunk, the Kaiser’s fleet never again dared to show its nose outside Kiel and Wilhelmshaven during the war. It has been argued strongly that both sides finished in winning positions, most of the admirals who survived, British and German, having.since the war published books on the subject. Jellicoe left his command later the same year to become First Sea Lord, being succeeded by Beatty. resigned from this post in 1917. The following year he received a viscounty, the thanks of Parliament, and a vote of £5OOO. After the war he toured, the Dominions in H.M.S. New Zealand, and in 1920 was appointed Governor-General of New Zealand. He retired both from his post and from the Navy, in which he had reached the age limit, in 1924. Jellicoe represented New Zealand at the Geneva Naval Disarmament Conference of 1927. And so passes on to the Great Beyond a figure that was one of Britain’s greatest naval heroes, after a life spent in the service of his country before all else. A life, dears, that is a glowing example to what one can aspire if one will so to do. Now, as my mail this week is a record, and I*have much yet to do, I will bid you all good-bye fill next Letterland Day. All my love and kisses, from your affectionate—