GRAF SPEE BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 6

GRAF SPEE BATTLE

11ST OF SLIGHTLY WOUNDED ON H.M.S. ACHILLES THREE NEW ZEALAND MEN INCLUDED. SQUADRON COMMANDER’S MESSAGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Minister of Defence. Mr Jones, announced yesterday that in addition to those reported killed and seriously wounded on board H.M.S. Achilles in the action against the Admiral Graf Spec on December 13. three New Zealanders and three members of the Royal Navy, including Captaifl W. E. Parry. C. 8., commander of the Achilles, were slightly wounded. Those killed on the Achilles were buried at sea on December 14. The New Zealanders in the supplementary list are: — Lieutenant R. E. Washbourne. Collingwood Street. Nelson. Ordinary Seaman R. Gallagher. York Street, Levin. Ordinary Seaman C. F. Marra. Racecourse Road. Waipukurau. The Royal Navy men wounded were E. F. Coppiestone, an ordnance artificer, and H. <l. Blackburn, a marine. The condition of these officers and men is satisfactory, and there is no cause whatever for anxiety on their behalf. The captain of H.M.S. Achilles has reported that the men who were previously reported to be seriously injured have been transferred to Falkland Island Hospital and are makingsatisfactory progress. The Minister also announced that the Naval Board had received the following messages:— Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, K.C.8.. who commanded the squadron, said: "On behalf of myself, the captains. officers and ships’ companies of His Majesty's ships Ajax, Achilles and Exeter, may I express our most sincere thanks for your congratulations. "I am deeply conscious of the honour and pleasure in taking one of H.M. ships of the New Zealand Squadron into action. I would like to tell you that the Achilles was handled perfectly by her captain, officers and ship’s company." The message from Captain Parry stated: “I am most grateful for the kind message of the Naval Board. The bearing of officers and men throughout the action was magnificent and does the greatest .credit to their country. I am proud to command such a splendid ship’s company." SERVICES RECOGNISED FURTHER PROMOTION LIST. ADMIRALTY ANNOUNCEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, December 28. In recognition of their services in the action against the Graf Spec, the Admiralty has announced the following promotions, all to date from December 30. 1939:— Commander D. FI. Everett. H.M.S. Ajax, to be promoted to Captain. Lieutenant-Commander R. B. Jennings. and Lieutenant-Commander C. J. Smith. H.M.S. Exeter, and Lieuten-ant-Commander P. T. A. Love, H.M.S* Achilles, to be promoted to Comman-, der. Engineer-Commander T. C. S. Noake. H.M.S. Ajax, to be promoted Engineer-' Captain. CAPTAIN PARRY SPLINTER WOUNDS IN LEGS. ) CONDITION SATISFACTORY. (Received This Day, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, December 28. Captain Parry of H.M.S. Achilles suffered splinter wounds in both legs. His condition is now satisfactory.