THE NAVY’S SPIRIT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1549, 11 May 1916, Page 4

THE NAVY’S SPIRIT

A striking tribute is paid by Admiral Sir John Jellicoc to the men of the British Navy in a letter to his wife, which was written aboard his flagship, the Iron Duke. “1 know you will be meeting the wives and families of the men,” he said, “and 1 trust you will tell them the magnificent spirit which prevails. Our troops have covered themselves with glory during the war. The Navy has not yet, as a whole, had any opportunity of showing that the old spirit which urged us to victory in the past is with us now ; but where our men have an opportunity of lighting the foe above water they have shown that they possess the same pluck and endurance as our comrades ashore. Nothing ever has been liner than the calmness and courage shown in every case where ships have been sunk by mines or torpedoes. The discipline has been perfect, and the men have gone to their death most gallantly and unselfishly. One hears on all sides numerous instances of men giving up on these occasions the plank that had supported them to some more feeble comrade, and i feel prouder every day that 1 command such men. During the period of waiting and watching they are cheerful and contented, in spite of the great dullness of their lives. I am sure you will tell the wives and mothers and sisters and children of our men of the spirit which prevails. 1 know it will make them all desire lo show in their own lives that they are dominated by the same spirit to do the best they can for their country, so that they may be worthy of their mankind, of whom it is impossible to say too much.”