ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

A JUTLAND INCIDENT. DESTROYER COMMANDER'S heroism; a posthumous v.c. Received March G, 8.40 p.m. London, March 5. The thrilling story of the battle of Jutland is now fnl'ly revealed in the Admiralty announcement of the posthumous award of, tlie Victoria Cross-to Commander Jones, of the destroyer Shark, which led a division of destroyers to the attack en the enemy battle cruiser squadron. The i vk was disabled by two shells, but when another destroyer came between the shark and the enemy and offered to assist, Commander .lones refused; saying that if it remained it would nhnost certainly be sunk. Then, though he was wounded in the leg, he helped to man the after wheel, and subsequently, when the forecastle and after, guns' crew were blown away, Commander Jones assisted in keeping the midship gun in action. The Shark was .all the time under the heaviest fire. A shell amputated Commander Jones' leg above the knee, but lie continued to command tho gun crew, despite,his agony. Commander Jones, noticing tho ensign was not properly hoisted, ordered another to be raised; then, seeing tlie ship was doomed, he ordered the'crew to don their lifebelts, and almost immediately the Shark was torpedoed and sank, and Commander Jones was drowned The survivors who were picked up were awarded Distinguished Service Medals.

ROLL .OF HONOR

CASUALTY LIST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Nioai. Died of wounds (Auckland Infantrv /Battalion).—Private F. McKenzie Died of sickness (Machine Gun Corns) -Private D. L. Smith.