New Zealand

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 1 April 1915, Page 5

New Zealand

A STIRRING STORY. PHILOMEL SAILORS IN ACTION.

MEN DISPLAY MARKED BRAVERY AND RESOURCE.

FIGHT THEIR WAY THROUGH SUPERIOR NUMBERS.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, March 31.

A stirring story has come to hand regarding the officers and men of the Philomel, which was recently in action against the Turks. It is still inadvisable to mention the locality in which the operations took place, but the whole story from beginning to end is one of bravery and resource such as New Zcalanders may well be proud of. The men were landed from the cruiser at for the purpose of discovering what was being done with a large number' of pack animals. There were in the landing party only seventeen officers and men, and they very soon found themselves surrounded by a party of from eighty to one hundred of the enemy. They had to fight their way through this greatly superior force, and this they did with'the ship's guns nupporting them, the retreat being carried out with the utmost sangfroid under most trying,conditions. Quite a number of casualties occurred through the men exposing themselves in order to assist til* wounded until darkness should come to their further aid. Lieut. F. Millar, who was i„ command of the- landing party, carried out his duties with great coolness and ability. Lieut. Gordon is also specifically mentioned for devotion to duty and for saving a wounded man, and Petty Oilioer Hollahby for groat coolness under fire and devotion to duty.

Perhaps the most moving incident of the whole operations relates to the wounding and rescue of A.B. John T. Morcton. He was left in the cutter, but subsequently endeavored to follow his comrades ashore. He was wounded before reaching them, and was subsequently found to be missing. The landing party did not discover this fact .mtil after they left the shore. It appears lie had been shot whilst running across an open field, and was subsequently located under the ship's searchlight. The mow on the ship under the bright light saw him moving once or twice, so they knew he was not dead, and immediately a volunteer search party set off in the. dark witli a view to rescuing him. After two attempts and four hours on shore in the locality of the enemy, th"v brought him in, dangerously wounded, without any casualty. Unfortunately, he died two davs later. Our men inflicted considerable loss :inon the enemv, and the lesson taught then] is said to have had a very noticeable effect upo,i the Turkish authorities.

In confirmation of the coolness of the. men, it is noted as a remarkable fact that only two rifles were lost, one being shattered by a bullet, and one belonging to Morcton, who was mortally wounded.

THE WAR CORRESPONDENT.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.

Wellington, March 31

The advisory committee of newspaper editors chosen by ths Press Association to advise the Government in the matter of selecting an official war correspondent from the forty-six applications received narrowed the list down to four names. They are given in alphabetical order as follows:—Mr. F. Doidge, chief of staff, "Star," Auckland: Mr. E. V. Hall, editorial staff, "Evening Post," Wellington; Mr. M. Ross, special correspondent, Christchurch "Press," "Otago Daily Times," and other papers, Wellington'; Mr. S. Waters, sub-editorial stall', Christchurch 'Tress." Mr. Malcolm Ross has been appointed.

the business in oats. Chmtehurch, March 31. "We absolutely decline to touch oats until we got something definite about the Government's intentions," remarked a prominent miller to-day|. Inquiries from merchants and brokers .showed that business on the oats market is practically at a standstill. .The uncertainty concerning the fulfilment of contracts has practically stopped all dealing, although a few sales of Algerians are reported.

KILLED IN ACTION.

Christchnreh, Last Night. Private advice has been received in Christchureh of the death of Major Robertson, of the 4th Seaforth Highlanders, killed in action at Neuve Chapelle. He was a brother of Mr. R. M. Robertson, of the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch, and Mr. J.. M. Robertson, of the Napier staff of-the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd.

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT

MORE TARANAKI MEN JOIN.

The latest men in the district to offer themselves for active service are:— Neville H. Arden, New Plymouth. A. S. Bernard, Lcpperton.' Charles Brown, New Plymouth. 6.. J. 'Reazant, Uremii. Mathias Beck, Urcnui. Robert Bakewcll, Motunui." Leonard D. Belton, Cardiff. Harry W. Crozier, New Plymouth. Samuel Cameron, Waitara.' Edward L. Clare, Waitara. Harry Cooley, Waitara. Wilfred Clayton, Fitzrov|. Roy F. Clark, Kaimata". David J. Davidson, Ngaere. Thomas J. Falvey, New Plymouth. John F. M. Fleming, Waitara. Herbert L. Gordgc, (Jkato. Edward Gordon, New Plymouth. Edward ((. Goodwin, Inglewood. Walter Yv. Gild,, Pungarehu. Sydney L. Gyde, Tatarahnaka. Percy Goodwin, Waitara. Edward F. llarwooil, Korito Road. Cyril ,1. Hols wick, Waitara. Carl W. Hansen, Urenui. Robert A. Kirton, Uruti. Norman J. Lamb, Stratford. L. Lepper, Whangamomona. Maurice I.'. Malonc, Stratford. ■lohu .Morrow, Raholu. Frank Marfell, Toko. Brian Malone, Stratford. Harold P. Opie, Opimake. Albert (i. W. Poole, Uruti. Fred. G. Philpott, Waitara. Frank S. Proctor. Waitara. John L. Pennington, Tongaporutu. Arthur L. Poison, Whangamomona. Jul ward Roberts, Waitara. , Arthur Strombcrg, Lcpperton.

Thompson Thwaitcs, New Plymouth, G. E. Tickuor, Xew Plymouth'. Keginald Tavlor, AVaitara. (leorge \V. VVard, Rahotu. Percy P. "Wiiteombe, l'ftzrov. 0. \V. Wisolov, Stratford. Thomas "W. AYin B Kee, .M'idliirst. Those volunteers, having passed the doctor, are now awaiting definite news from headquarters' as to their acceptance for active service. Those men selected —for, in addition to the namoa given above, there is such a steady stream of enrolments that there is little or no doubt the necessary quota from Taranaki will be mure than doubly subscribed —will leave for Trcntham camp ab„ut the middle of April to join the New Zealand iviul'oi'ceiiK'llH