Stirring Tribute To Canberra's Captain

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1942, Page 4

Stirring Tribute To Canberra's Captain

Special Australian Correspondent.

Rec. 6.30 p.m. . Sydney, Aug. 22. Official recognition of the gallantry of Captain F. E. Getting, of H.M.A.S. Canberra, who died in the Solomons Islands action, will be made by the Federal Government. Indicating this, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. Curtin, said that he had been deeply stirred by the story of Captain Getting's heroism in remaining at his post although mortally wounded after being struck by a shell fragment from the first enemy broadside which hit the Canberra's bridge. Captain Getting sat on a stool and directed' the final operations as the cruiser was abandoned. He refused medical aid, insisting that wounded ratings should be attended to first. Survivors of the action unanimously pay a high tribute to the dead captain's heroism, and said he protested even as the men carried him below. The full story of Captain Getting's bravery and devotion to duty has ilot yet been told. "One of the most heroic personal episodes of this war is the story of the last fight of Captain Getting, of the Canberra," says the Daily Telegraph in a leader. "For courage and fortltude it equals any episode in naval history. This is the kind of story that should be trumpeted to the world. Violent death is never pretty, but the kind of fortitude, will, self-denial and gallantry Captain Getting showed transcends the ugliness of tnodern mechanical battle." The paper says that the release of the story would be a great help to national morale and would offer no comfort to the enemy, who would not be very confident if they knew there was a Getting on every British ship.