H.M.S. VERONICA

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1920, Page 1

H.M.S. VERONICA

HER. OFFICERS. LONDON, April 8,

The sloop Veronica which is to leave shortly for the New Zealand station and which" has been commissioned at l ombro'ke Dock, has had a thorough overhaul ing and repair. Commander F. H. L. Lewm, who is to he in command, entered the Britannia in 1894, and two years later went out to H.M.S.- Trafalgar, at that time rearflagship in the Meditteranean. As sublieutenant and junior lieutenant, he served in H.M.S. Creasy in China, and returned to England in 4993 to quality as gunnery lieutenant. This course he successfully completed in 1904, and ever since he has served as gunnery officer. From 1908 to 1910 lie was m H.M.S. Lancaster in the Meditteranean, and for the next two years was in H.M.S.-V eneralile in the Atlantic Fleet. Then, for live years (1912-17) lie was with the 6tli Destroyer Flotilla at Dover. In February, 1917, he was chosen to serve on the staff of Admiral Baeoif as flag and gunnery commander, to which rank lie had been promoted at the end oi 1915. For four months Commander Lewin was attached to the three 9.2 guns which ,ydminil Bacon mounted in the dunes at Nieuport, and he took part in practically all the coast bombardments of 191517 " Early in 1917, when Commander Lewin was in H.M.S. Ghurka, she was mined off Dungeness, and for Ins services in this connection the lloyal Humane Society honoured him with tlieir Silver Medal, and subsequently with the Stanhope Gold Medal. In consequence of the exposure which he suffered at this! period lie became crippled with lumbago and sciatica, and in July was laid up for some months, but was passed fit for shore service in February, 1918. when he joined the Trades Division at the Admiralty, and served there until recently ! appointed to the command of H.M.S. | Veronica for her now duty. The navigating officer of the vessel will be Lieutenant C.V.S. J. Marsden, rN • the ,first lieutenant will be Lieu tenant T. F. H. Marriott. The other officers will be Sub-Lieut. A. B- Ferguson, R.N. (Auckland), until recently in H.M.S. Renown; Gunner Idwal Griffiths R.N., and Surgeon-Lieutenant-Commander T. J. O’Riordan.