GODCHILD OF CRUISER

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22674, 30 July 1945, Page 4

GODCHILD OF CRUISER

HAMILTON WOMAN’S STORY Godchild of the officers and crew of the former British cruiser Danae and now the Polish cruiser Conrad, Mrs Danae Charlotte Minifie, of O’Neill Street, Hamilton, has an interesting story to tell. The story goes back to 1924, when the British cruiser H.M.S. Danae, one of a squadron on an Empire tour, docked at Auckland. Among the thousands who visited H.M.S. Danae were Mr and Mrs R. P. Hazard, of Hamilton. Mrs Hazard asked the captain whether she might, if her expected baby were a daughter, name it after the ship. He agreed and said the ship’s company would regard the baby as their godchild. Shortly after the squadron had left a baby girl was born and was christened Danae Charlotte Hazard. The parents sent the birth certificate to H.M.S. Danae. The ship, in acknowledging it, asked Mr and Mrs Hazard to keep them informed year by year of the child’s growth. The story switches to October, 1944, with Danae approaching her twenty-first birthday. H.M.S. Danae was lent by the Government to the Polish Navy, and among the documents taken over were the papers relating to Danae Charlotte Hazard. At that time security reasons prevented the Polish sailors trying to find Danae to tell her about the change. But on VE Day plus one they began the search for her. It was stated that “the Polish crew will be honoured if Danae will continue to regard herself as the godchild of the Conrad, which is pledged to carry on all the high traditions of H.M.S. Danae.” Danae Charlotte Hazard married Leading Aircraftman D. R. Minifie, only son of Mr and Mrs R. G. Minifie, of Christchurch, a few weeks ago. Mrs Minifie, who recently attained her majority, is living at Stonehaven, O’Neill Street, Hamilton.