COURT MARTIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1928, Page 2

COURT MARTIAL

ROYAL OAK AFFAIR. Australian .<£ N./L Cable Association.) GIBRALTAR, March 31. Tlie Court Martial in connection with the H.M.S. Royal Oak case opened yesterday at Gibraltar.

There was a new charge listed against Commander Daniel, to tile effect that he did publicly read in the Royal Oak’s wardroom, from a document, certain remarks and criticisms of his superior, calculated to bring Admiral Collat'd into contempt, and also subversive of naval discipline. The Court opened with the reading of the charges ngainst Commander Daniel, who was described as “now of warship H.M.S. Cormorant, and formerly of H.M.S. Royal Oak.”

The Judge-Advocate quoted from Commander Daniel’s letter, which is the basis of the charges The letter is one describing tlie circumstances attending Admiral Collard’s departure from the sliip Royal Oak. and referring to there being a great commotion on the quarterdeck owing to the Admiral’s anger. The letter added: “He was indeed furious.” The letter also said that Admiral Col lard declared that lie was “fed up with the ship.” Commander Daniel, in his letter, said that he considered the morale of the ship had suffered, and that discipline had been endangered by the incident. He added: “Alt of the officers were deeply resentful of the humiliation to which their shin and their Captain had been subjected. Apologies would serve no useful purpose.”

Commander Daniel, in the course of the letter, said that he himself had not suffered; but he considered it would be cowardice not to repot t the matter.

Commander Daniel pleaded “Not guilty” to all of the charges. Formal evidence was given ns to the typing of the letter to Commander Daniel’s dictation.

Admiral Collat'd followed. He said that he had received the letter and had handed it over to the authorities on shore.

Cross-examined by Admiral Kimball, Admiral Collat'd said that he agreed that it was a serious matter concerning him personally. The Judge-Advocate would not allow certain questions to be put referring to Admiral Collat'd s conduct, on the ground that they were irrelevant. He said the charges were against Commander Daniel.

Admiral Kimball protested that this Court Martial was granted at the request of the accused, in order to give him the opportunity to clear his character. The whole purpose ol this inquiry would ho deleated it these questions were not allowed. The Court was then cleared in order to consider the point. r l in* Court, however. finally ruled that questions regarding Admiral Collard’s conduct were irrelevant, hut were admissible.

Tlie Judge-Advocate detailed incidents connected with Admiral Collard’s departure from tlie Royal Oak. lie* said Commander Daniel had staled he had received an order I min Admiral Collat'd, through a Lieutenant, requiring a float and also a

“Jacob’s ladder;” and in case the I,oat was unable to approach, an accommodation ladder. Commander Daniel says that he ordered a ‘‘Jacob's ladder’’ to lie prepared on each side of the ship, but they were not lowered until lie* was ordered to lower them. He next heard that the Admiral wanted him. and that he was angry because the* port-side accommodation ladder was not placed in position. Admiral Collat'd was furious, foil ('onimandcr Daniel says that he was determined to maintain silence, because there were ratings within hearing. Admiral bollard had olden'd Commander Daniel personally |,o superintend the lowering ol the* ladder, lie* (Commander Daniel) had replied: “Aye. aye, sir!” and obeyed orders. Personally he would not have chosen the port side, owing to the stale* of the sea. He (Commander Daniel) had told the Lieutenant that lie was satisfied with the way his orders were carried out. and that he would take the full responsibility. Commander Daniel said that after tlie last occasion «»;reat pains were necessary to restore respect for the Admiral on the lower deck. He thought Admiral Collat'd was unfair. He also felt that he had been insulted in tlie presence of nearly one hundred officers and men.

When the Court admitted evidence regarding Admiral Collard’s conduct, the Judge Advocate explained that il was only admitted to give the accused every reasonable latitude. CAPTAIN DEWAR’S CASE. The Judge-Advocate read Captain Dewar’s letter. Captain Dewar commenced by saying that lie was loth to criticise liis superior officer, hut he considered it his duty, when discipline was undermined. Once Admiral Collard criticised the ship’s hand, saying that he never heard such a “blanky” hand, lie had abused the bandmaster, whom lie described as a ‘-blank” this and a ‘‘blank’’ that. The word was not mentioned in Court.

Captain Dewar added: -'Admiral Collard said within the hearing of ratings, that the ‘Royal Oak' was unlit to he an Admiral's ship. He treats me worse than a midshipman. I can't get my ‘blank’ orders obeyed.” Admiral Kimball asked Admiral Collard if lie thought Captain Dewar's and Commander Daniel's complaints were justified. The Admiral replied that lie considered them both insubordinate, as it was their duty to bring coni plaints to him verbally.

Asked if they had acted honestly lie replied that they had acted foolishly.

The Admiral explained the dame incident, and said that he saw many ladies sitting out. instead of dancing, and lie told Commander Daniel that this was disgraceful, and that the Commander miut do his job. According to Captain Dewar’s letter of complaint, addressed to ViceAdmiral Kelly. Admiral Collard gave a party aboard the ship on the .'frd January, and during the dance. Admiral Collard had threatened him in the presence of guests, that unless he, (Dewar) made Commander Daniel do his duty by introducing people to each other, he (Admiral Collard) himself would make Commander Daniel do it. He (Dewar) considered Admiral Collard was unjustified, as all of the officers were taking turns at introducing the people. He also considered Admiral Collard’s manner improper. The same evening Admiral Collard told the Bandmaster, before the whole band and several guests, that he “had not heard such a blanky noise in his life!” He also said that the Bandmaster should he sent hack to England. He (Dewar) then dismissed the hand and summoned a jazz hand.

Admiral Collard later had repeated that the Bandmaster must he sent home without delay.

Captain Dewar's letter continued that he protested to Admiral Collard. and that the Bandmaster requested permission to resign, thus sacrificing his pension. Admiral Collard's attack on the B a -.dm aster had caused indignation among the officers, who had all tried to make the dance a success.

Tlie letter of Captain Dewar said j that later AdmiYal Collat'd told Cap- ! tain Dewar that the Chaplain had been inquiring about, a report that he (Collard) commented that an investigation on the spot would conclusively have confirmed the allegations. He. (Dewar) would have dropped the dance incidents if no further incidents had occurred. He had told Admiral Collard that harm had been done, and that henceforth his ship must come first.

Captain Dewar, further referring to the ladder incident on March nth, said that Admiral Collard had also remarked, “This “blanky” ship mil do nothing!”

Captain Dewar’s letter further said Admiral Collard added that he would ask to have his Hag removed. Admiral Collard. next day. ignored the Commander and others, and shouted his own orders, nor did lie return Captain Dewar’s salute. Admiral Collard was cross-examined regarding Dewar’s letter. He said that when he found that ladies were sitting out while men were standing around, he drew Captain Dewar’s attention- to it. Captain Dewar had replied angrily that the Commander had charge of the arrangements. He (Admiral Collard) then told him to make tlie Commander do his job. He (Collard) saw tliaf the Bandmaster was apparently sleepy, and the music was dragging, and the dance was becoming monotonous and a “frost.’ He told tlie Bandmaster that lie “never had beard snelC ‘blank’ awful noise called dance music.” Nobody bad overheard him.

Admiral Collard emphatically denied calling the Bandmaster a “blank.” He* had indignantly denied the charge, and had asked who said so. The Chaplain had dec-lined to say. because lie had been told officially. He had questioned Captain Dewar, who said that Commander Daniel had told him. tie had then questioned Commander Daniel, who then admitted tiiat he (Collard) did licit calf the Bandmaster a “blank” but Daniel bad accused him of saying. when the Bandmaster had gone, that “he would not have ‘blank’ like that aboard his ilagship! ’ The whole affair had ended amicably, with an exchange of dinner invitations. Regarding the ladder incident, Admiral Collat'd said that when he found his orders were not obeyed, he had summoned Captain Dewar, who came angrily. He then drew Captain Dewar's attention to the neglect of his orders, adding: “1 am sick ot you ns Flag Captain ! Either you go, or I shift my (lag!” Captain Dewar had blamed Daniel and became very angry and argumentative.

Admiral Collard denied tiiat any of these incidents bad happened in the hearing of other persons. He also explained why lie gave orders personally when relioarding the “Royal Oak. There were no officers in sight.

The Admiral added that if it had been simply the letter Irani Captain Dewar, he might have discussed the matter personally, hut attached thereto was such insubordination that lie could not discuss it. He had had no alternative hut to convey it to \ iecAdiniral Kelly.

When the evidence for the prosecution finished, flu* Court heard evidence regarding the Royal Oaks morale. Do War’s successor, Osborne said the discipline and morale was very high. The officers were loyal and the company of the keenest. Daniel's successor, said there was good discipline, i happy ship and no discontent.

The chief stoker gave evidence that ])c War had greatly improved the happiness and morale by; stressing that everybody was entitled to complain nf ill treatment. Kimball announced Daniel would give evidence and addressed the (unit claiming that Daniel’s action was proper, justified and necessary. He was duty hound to keep the captain informed, if lie believed Collard’s actions and demeanour were undermining discipline. The hearing was adjourned till Monday.