Shrapnel Wounds

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 6

Shrapnel Wounds

INJURY ON ACHILLES TE AWAMUTU CASUALTY 4? WAIKATO MEN IN CREW PRIDE AMONG FAMILIES Although it is now established that a large number of Waikato sailors was in action on H.M.S. Achilles, only one is mentioned in the list of casualties so far received. There has been no indication that the list is not complete. The casualty is Seaman Edgar Vivian Sherley, of Te Awamutu, aged 25, New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, 1163, son of Mr and Mrs C. R. Sherley, of Roche Street, Te Awamutu. Advice was received today by Mr and Mrs Sherley from the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, that their son w’as injured in the Achilles action. The injuries were stated to be serious, shrapnel having entered both the sailor’s legs. As far as can be established, Seaman Sherley is the first Waikato casualty in the war. He has been in the Royal Navy for eight years. Pride In Gallant Action Pride is being felt by many Hamilton and Waikato parents who have sons serving on the New Zealand cruiser H.M.S. Achilles, which figured so prominently in the gallant day-long naval action against the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee off the coast of Uruguay, South America. In conversation with families, a Waikato Times representative found that they were proud to know that Waikato boys had so capably played their part for the Empire in the first big naval occasion of the war. Details of the achievement are being eagerly awaited by all New Zealanders, but more particularly by the families of the sailors who so gallantly manned the former flagship of the New Zealand Division. Although the ships of the New Zealand squadron are serving with the British Fleet under the control of the Admiralty for the duration of the war, the vessels are still New Zealand. The Achilles was manned by a composite crew, about half of whom were trainees from the Dominion. Some of them, including a few of the Waikato men, had recently returned from England to join the New Zealand cruiser. Other Sailors On Cruiser Further inquiries have brought additional names to the list previously published of Hamilton and district sailors who fought in the South Atlantic engagement. They are:— Petty Officer Writer R. B. Lutman, of Hamilton, and Petty Officer Telegraphist A. F. B. Lutman, of Hamilton, nephews of Mrs H. Valder, of Hamilton. Leading Signalman Ray Mangnall, son of Mr and Mrs W. Mangnall, of Te Rapa. W. McKenzie, son of Mr and Mrs R. McKenzie, of Frankton. W. Murray, of Hamilton. E. Buckler, formerly of Cambridge. B. J. Taylor (mentioned previously) is the son of Mr and Mrs B. J. Taylor, of Hamilton. Max Dorset, son of Mrs B. Potts, of Hamilton. Seaman A. W. Martin, son of Mr and Mrs F. Martin, of Hamilton. Seaman E. V. Sherley, son of Mr and Mrs C. R. Sherley, of Te Awamutu. Seaman Gerald Teddy, of Te Awamutu. Seaman Stephen Teddy, of Te Awamutu. Seaman Gordon West, of Te Awamutu. Seaman Donald Baxter, of Te Awamutu.

New Zealand casualties on H.M.S. Achilles are reported in the cabled news. _______________