SINKING OF THE CANBERRA

Evening Star, Issue 24281, 24 August 1942, Page 2

SINKING OF THE CANBERRA

CAPTAIN GETTING'S HEROISM (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) j SYDNEY, August 22. Official recognition of the gallantly ( of Commander F. E. Getting, captain j of the Canberra, who died in the Solo- j mon Islands action, will bo made by j the Federal Government. Indicating j this, the Prime Minister (Mr J. Cur- I tin) said he had been deeply stirred .by the story of Commander Getting's heroism in remaining at his post although mortally wounded. Struck by a shell fragment from the first enemy broadside, which hit the Canberra’s bridge, Commander Getting sat on a stool and directed the final operations as the cruiser was abandoned. He refused medical aid, insisting that the wounded ratings should be attended to first. The survivors of the action unanimously pay a, high tribute to the dead captain’s heroism, and said he protested even as his men carried him below'. The full story of Commander Getting’s bravery and devotion to duty .has not yet been released. “ One of the most heroic personal episodes of the war is the story of the last fight of Captain Getting, of the Canberra.” says the ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ in a leader. “ For courage and fortitude it equals any episode in naval history. This is the kind of story that should bo trumpeted to the world. Violent death is never pretty, but the kind of fortitude, self-denial, and gallantry that Captain Getting showed transcends the ugliness of modern mechanical battle.” The paper says the release of the story would be a great help to national morale, and would offer no comfort to the enemy, who would not be very confident if tbey_ knew there was a Getting on every British ship.

NEW ZEALAND'S SYMPATHY

MESSAGE TO MR CURTIH (P.A.) -WELLINGTON. August 23. New Zealand’s sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives in H.M.A.S. Canberra was expressed in the following message which has been sent by the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr D. G. Sullivan) to the Federal Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin): — “The announcement of the loss ot the Canberra in the Battle of the Solomons has caused profound regret throughout the Dominion, and on behalf ot the Government and people ot New Zealand I ask you to convey thenmost sincere sympathy to the people of Australia and, in particular, to the relatives of those who so nobly lost their lives in the course of duty. Me share with you the knowledge that their sacrifice will not he in vain, but will he fully redeemed by the final triumph of onr cause, in the defence of which the armed forces of the Commonwealth are playing so gallant a part,” '