A SUBMARINE HERO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2322, 15 October 1908, Page 1

A SUBMARINE HERO.

LOSES HIS MEMORY.

REMEMBERS NOTHING OF HIS BRAVE DEED.

Lieutenant Groves, w-lioso courage probably saved tho lives of tlio crow of Submarine A 9 in tho mishap to that vessel in the English Channel on July" II lust, cannot- recall a single detail of the incident. After tho mishap it was found that his memory had completely gone, hut though lie* is still in a serious condition lie is gradually improving. From Dover he was removed to the residence of his father, Mr .J. Grimble Groves, at Bank Hall, Chapelen-le-Frith, among tlio Derbyshire Hills, as it was thought the return to familiar scenes might aid his recovery. Submarine A 9 was one of a flotilla of seven submarines proceeding .with the cruiser iEolhs from Portsmouth on July 14. All went well until the. flotilla had passed Folkestone, when it was observed that A 9 was falling behind. Lieutenants Groves and Warren, with a petty officer, were in. the coning tower. They smelt fumes of petrol gas and signalled to tlio eight moil below. No answer was returned. The two lieutenants descended -and found tlio crew lying apparently lifeless. with the engines running. Lieutenants Groves and Warren resolved to try to reach tho engines. Several attempts were made, and they were driven back by the overpowering fumes. They then enveloped their f ices in wet cloths, and Lieutenant Groves succeeded in stopping the engines. When the rescue party arrived from tho rEolus lie was found lying unconscious in the engine-room. On recovering consciousness at Dover, Lieutenant Groves had no recollection of the disaster, or, in fact, of anything. Tho Admiralty during liis illness have taken sympathetic interest in the case, and Sir John Fisher his paid a personal visit to the stricken officer.

-Speaking to a representative of this journal, Mr J. Grimble Grove., said: “There is very slight but gradual improvement in my -on’s condition. His physical strength is greatly improved. Wo are merely waiting for the brain to resume its work.. Recollection of tlio incidents of -his youth is gradually returning—his schooldays, his young friends, and the things he did a dozen years or more ago. But of the mishap and its incidents he knows nothing, and might never have hoard of a submarine.

“If incidents of the past, year—the most familiar tilings in which he w.is interested—are mentioned his face shows that lie does not remember them. AVe are hopeful that rest will gradually restore liim. The doctors are quite satisfied that time will bring back mental strength.”