PUBLIC PRIDE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21052, 2 March 1940, Page 8

PUBLIC PRIDE

CHEERS FOR SAILORS HEROES OF THE ACHILLES HONORARY MEMBERS OF R.S.A. To thousands of Hamilton people the occasion of the civic reception in the Bledisloe Hall yesterday afternoon to the local sailors who fought in H.M.S. Achilles during the famous naval battle of the River Plate, came as an opportunity to express their whole-hearted admiration of the gallant exploit. Cheer after cheer rang through the crowded hall when speakers referred to the heroism of the men and the significance of the exploit. The demonstration of public gratitude came to a climax with the call for three cheers for the fifteen Hamilton sailors who were being honoured. It is seldom, perhaps never before, that Hamilton people have cheered so lustily. Every one of the large crowd, which was estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000, gave full vent to his emotions. The people could not help but acclaim the men who gave New Zealand a naval tradition for the first time and who won undying fame in the first great naval action of the war. More than 3000 schoolchildren crowded the upstairs portion of the hall. Loud Applause Addresses of the speakers were punctuated with lusty applause when reference was made to some feature of the action. Toward the end of the reception many people in the crowd flung streamers toward the men who were the heroes of December 13, 1939, and the heroes of yesterday as well. For their parents it must have been the supreme moment of their lives, and to the general public it was a day that will live long in memory. “It is a proud time for me to speak on this occasion,” said the Bishop of Waikato, the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington, in his address. “Let us all remember that it is the Navy that is winning this war. The Navy is the senior service in the British fighting forces, and day and night it is guarding the Empire all over the world. I was thrilled, and I am sure you all were, to hear of the gallant exploits of the Achilles. All of us feel now that the Navy is just ‘it,’ and so we should. Bravery and Courage “It is not possible to exaggerate the bravery and courage of these men,” concluded the Bishop, in wishing the men of the Achilles the best of _ luck in any future combat that might lay ahead of them during the war. “On behalf of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association,” said Mr D. I. Gate, president of the association, “it gives me great pleasure to be associated with this wonderful welcome to the boys of the Navy. Very few of you can realise, unless you have gone through the experience of coming under enemy shellfire for the first time, what these boys went through and stood up to so admirably. It speaks volumes for the Navy. We can feel sure that in any future action in which they may have to participate they will worthily uphold the traditions set 20 years or so ago by their fathers. Membership of R.S.A. “We have with us today,” added Mr Gate, “men who have been decorated in the service of the Empire. It falls to the lot of but few men of the age of Boy Max Dorset to be decorated by the King. Let me assure you again that my association is proud to have the privilege of participating in the welcome home to the Hamilton boys.” Mr Gate said that the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association would extend honorary membership for the duration of the war to the Hamilton men of the Achilles. The fountain pen with which each man was presented by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, was inscribed, “An appreciation from the citizens of Hamilton.” WHOLE-HEARTED WELCOME APPRECIATION OF THE MEN MESSAGE FROM THE SAILORS An expression of gratitude for the warm welcome accorded them in Hamilton yesterday afternoon has been made on behalf of the men from H.M.S. Achilles. Petty Officer Writer R. Bywater-Lutman, on behalf of the Hamilton members of the crew of the cruiser, stated today that he desired to express sincere appreciation to the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, the Hamilton Borough Council, the Bishop of Waikato, the Rt. Rev. C. A. Cherrington, the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association through the president, Mr D. I. Gate, the Hamilton Patriotic Committee, and the citizens of Hamilton for the whole-hearted welcome which the men received in the Bledisloe Hall yesterday afternoon. It was gratifying to know, he added, that the people of Hamilton appreciated the small part played by the local sailors in the battle of the River Plate. The men regretted, however, that as a result of a small misunderstanding, this appreciation was not expressed at the reception. PLAYED PROMINENT PART YOUNG SAILOR ON ACHILLES Boy Edwin John Christie, of H.M.S. Achilles, who was mentioned by several ratings last week as having played a prominent part in the River Plate action, was only 16 years of age at the time of battle, being one of the youngest members of the crew. He will celebrate his I7th birthday this month. Christie now lives at Paeroa, but he was formerly a resident of Hamilton, having been educated at the Hamilton Technical High School. In fact he was at school in 1937 at the same time as Boy Max Dorset, D.S.M., the young Hamilton hero of the epic engagement. ON THE ACHILLES HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS In his report to the meeting of the I Hamilton High School board of governors yesterday, the headmaster, k Mr H. D. Tait, said live old boys of

the school were on board the Achilles and hid taken part in the action with the Admiral Graf Spee. They were R. Lutman, W. McKenzie, M. Larsen, J. Bongard and A. T. Sweeney. The school was proud of the fact that it had representatives in the famous naval action and congratulated the boys on their safe return. MEMORIAL PLANNED SEAMAN KILLED IN ACHILLES A memorial to Able-Seaman A. C. H. Shaw, who was killed in action in H.M.S. Achilles during the battle of the River Plate, has been planned in Cambridge, from which he enlisted with the Navy. It is probable that a fund now open will be devoted to the purchase of a trophy for annual competition at the Cambridge School. In his memory a wreath was placed on the Cenotaph at Cambridge by representatives of the Cambridge Returned Soldiers’ Association.