Issue 08 winter 2009

www.navymuseum.mil.nz contents Editor: Issue 08 winter 2009 Theresa Manson P: 09 4461824 E: [email protected] 04 Death of a Fleet: DESIGN and photography: Murray Dear Nikki Payne P: 09 4461820 E: [email protected] 10 Jenny Ah Moy: Gerry Wright archival photographs: director’s message Paul Restall 13 From the Collection: P: 09 4461825 The role of the Royal Navy is E: [email protected] HMNZS ROYALIST intimately tied to the life of our nation, historically when we were part of the and currently PROOF READING: Ship Names: Neville Peach as an independant Navy. Our Navy is a living 14 Louis Schmitt organisation and so our history is contemporary and Richard Jackson will include stories not yet enacted or written. Just as Distribution: our nation grew from being a colony of Britain into a RNZN in 1999-2000: Brian Burford 18 P: 09 4461827 nation with its own identity and place in the Pacific, Warren Cummins E: [email protected] so too has our Navy. 23 HMS New Zealand’s Guns: Editorial advisErs: This issue starts with the of the German Fleet Russ Glackin CDR David Wright at , a story which helps commemorate Cliff Heywood Richard Jackson the signing of the in 1919. The 24 Light Blue - Dark Blue: Museum holds fascinating collection items from this Fraser Boyd Print: event. We also remember a closer anniversary, the APN Print NZ Ltd. East Timor Intervention in 1999 and draw attention to Death comes to Devonport the Navy’s important contribution. 28 regular contributors: Russ Glackin Katherine Bol Collections Charis Boos educator We are a Navy that values our history and traditions Rose Evans Project Manager, Exhibitions while keeping abreast of societal changes and modern 31 Memorial Service at Irirangi Craig Collier Collection Manager developments. This is explored in the article about CDR T. Chadwick (Rtd) Russ Glackin Museum Guide why we retain and reuse our oldest Ships’ names. Cliff Heywood Deputy Director Kelly-Ana Morey Oral Historian 32 Did you know Debbie McKinney team Leader Guides Once again we highlight our rich collections, both Michael Wynd Paul Restall Photo Archivist photographic, artifact and archival and draw on CDR David Wright Director different authors for their unique perspectives on the 34 Letters to the Editor Michael Wynd researcher people and events we are discussing.

E-NEWSLETTER: TE WAKA Book Launch at Fort Takapuna We trust you will find this issue both stimulating and 35 Keep in touch with progress on the new Navy Michael Pritchard Museum project by subscribing to our free monthly interesting reading. emailed newsletter Te Waka. Contact: [email protected] to be put on our mailing list. Commander David Wright The White Ensign (ISSN 1177-8008) is published three Director Navy Museum times a year and is the official journal of the Royal August 2009 FRONT COVER PHOTO: New Zealand Navy Museum. The views expressed in 8 Breadth Imperial German Naval Battle Ensign it are not necessarily those of the RNZN or the NZDF. taken from SMS Nürnberg after the ship was Archival photographs are the property of the Navy scuttled at Scapa Flow. Museum and are not to be reproduced without written permission. BACK COVER PHOTO: Anyone who would like to contribute an article to This silver fish cutlery set was taken from the The White Ensign is asked to first contact the Editor. wardroom of the scuttled German HMS To join or leave our mailing list. EMDEN, by the crew of HMS RESOLUTION, at Contact: [email protected] PHOTO DETAIL: Scapa Flow 21 . Made by German Silver Box presented to the Captain firm Christofel, it features a decorative dolphin All enquiries: The Editor, Navy Museum, Private Bag and Officers of HMS ROYALIST by on the knife blades and a German Crown on 32 901, Devonport, North Shore City 0624, Scotts Shipbuilding Company, 1943 the handles. TCA0001 New Zealand

TThehe W Whitehite E Ensignnsign w winterinter 09 09 33 dcoleauthm ofn h ae adfleet

Murray Dear writes here of the awe- navies – with an inherent impact on the inspiring story of loss and honour, when the resultant balance of naval power. The Royal German was scuttled under Navy, the Empire’s navy and indeed (in the noses of the British at Scapa Flow. His 1919) still seen in New Zealand as ‘our’ Navy, article explores an aspect of First World War would remain the arbiter of naval power military heritage and commemorates the into the years of peace that followed. 90th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty The Death of the of Versailles which officially ended the war. Today the remaining wrecks of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow are recognised as items The Royal Navy’s had of national importance in the UK and are German High stalemated the power of Imperial Germany’s protected by Historic . Here in High Seas Fleet throughout the war - New New Zealand our Navy Museum holds a Seas Fleet Zealand’s gift battleship had played her part collection of distinctive artifacts from this in the Allies’ naval victory. The spectacular event as well as archival photographs. scuttling of the German Fleet confirmed the allied victory at sea and prevented other nations such as France, Russia or Italy from claiming the German capital ships for their

Naval Signal 21/11/18 “German Flag will be hauled down at German High Seas Fleet being brought into the sunset today Thursday and will not be Firth of Forth by the British Grand Fleet. raised again without permission.” N 0094 AC

4 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 5 coldeautmh nof h aead fleet

Armistice ceased to be an effective naval force. On Internment Formation around the island of Cava while the SMS HINDENBURG after scuttling. She has settled It is widely, but incorrectly, believed that 9 November the Kaiser abdicated and The officer selected to command this were further south between on the bottom and has also lost one funnel. 1919. after the the German an armistice was signed two days later. Internment Formation was Rear Admiral Fara and Hoy. About 20,000 men had High Seas Fleet was inactive for the rest The terms of the Armistice were severe, , a very capable, brought the ships to British waters and the of . Actually over the next Article XXII of the naval terms, stated patriotic and honourable naval officer. Royal Navy was impatient to reduce this two years units of the High Seas Fleet that the Germans were to: The Internment Formation sailed on 19 number. By mid December, the number made several sorties into the North Sea “...... surrender at the ports specified November for their final voyage had been reduced to less than 5,000 with varying degrees of success. The by the Allies and the United States At the Firth of Forth the German naval following a series of repatriations back to German Baltic Fleet, reinforced by the of America all submarines at present ensign was lowered for the last time and Germany. Over the next six months there High Seas Fleet’s , in existence (including all submarine- von Reuter was ordered to take his ships was to be a steady trickle of repatriations and destroyers, succeeded in pushing the cruisers and ), with armament to Scapa Flow, Scotland for internment. followed by a final large reduction in crew Russians out of the Gulf of Riga and this and equipment complete”. The fate of This decision was bitterly resented by the numbers in mid June. This left 1,700 men outcome was a material factor in forcing the High Seas Fleet was covered in Article Germans as they had anticipated being on the interned ships. Russia out of the war. XXIII and stated “The German surface interned in neutral ports in terms of Article While peace negotiations dragged on, With the collapse of the German army warships, which shall be designated by the XXIII of the Armistice Agreement. the Germans settled into a dull routine. imminent on the Western Front, a final Allies and the United States of America, The sole communication channel between High Seas Fleet sortie was proposed in shall forthwith be dismantled and Repatriation Of German crews the Internment Formation and the British October 1918. As Admiral von Hipper thereafter interned in neutral ports, or, By 27 November the Internment authorities was from von Reuter to the concentrated his forces, the crews of the failing them, Allied ports, to be designated Formation was at anchor in Scapa Flow, responsible Royal Navy Admiral at Scapa At the Firth of Forth the German ensign battle cruisers and some lighter ships by the Allies and the United States of the Royal Navy’s principal fleet anchorage Flow. Outward and inward mail was began to refuse their orders. This mutiny America, only care and maintenance in the Orkney Islands. The , censored and the newspapers that were was lowered and von Reuter was ordered quickly spread and the High Seas Fleet parties being left on board”. battleships and light cruisers anchored received were several days old. Under u to take his ships to Scapa Flow

Warship Suicide Repeated The scuttling of the High Seas Fleet had been the biggest act of warship suicide ever seen in naval history. Curiously, exactly 24 years after the High Seas Fleet had arrived at Scapa Flow this act was to be paralleled. On 27 November 1942 the Vichy French Fleet at Toulon was scuttled to prevent it falling into German hands. Amongst the ships destroyed at Toulon were three battleships, four heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, fourteen large destroyers and thirteen other destroyers. AC N 0098

The German Fleet surrendered at Scapa Flow. The subsequent unexpected scuttling of over Viscount Curzon (cinematographer) filmed the surrender of the German Fleet at Scapa Flow in 50 ships was both photographed and filmed. the Orkney Islands. 1918

6 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 7 dcoleauthm ofn h ae adfleet

Sailors from the British Training Squadron message was the code for the immediate up for scrap. Three battleships and four Mr. Dear is the author of “Two Hits and stand on the upturned hull of the scuttled scuttling as per an earlier order. The light cruisers lie too deep to recover in a Miss” published by the RNZN Museum TI C0002

N 0141 AC SMS Seydlitz, 1919. in 1995 and is a 2008 winner of the Navy message, relayed by semaphore and signal the graveyard of the High Seas Fleet. League of Australia’s annual maritime lamp, took time to get around the fleet essay competition. and the most southern line of destroyers A New Zealand Link References did not receive it until an hour later. As a final irony, included amongst the Conway’s All the World’s Battleships 1906 to the For an hour and a half there was surrendered ships was the High Seas Present, Conway Maritime Press Ltd., 1987. little evidence that anything unusual Fleet minesweeper SMS PAPENBURG. Corbett, Sir Julian S., History of the Great War, was happening. At 1216 the battleship This was given to New Zealand and Naval Operations Vol. III, Longmans Green & Co., 1923. FRIEDRICH DER GROSSE turned during World War II this vessel was Couhat, Jean Labayle, French Warships of World turtle and sank with remarkable speed. requisitioned as the minesweeper HMS War II, Ian Allen Ltd., 1971. This was followed by the battleship FUTURIST. During the night of 25-26 Jane’s Fighting Ships 1919, Sampson Low Marston, 1919. KONIG ALBERT at 1254 and other June 1941 it narrowly missed sighting the McDougall, R.J., New Zealand Naval Vessels, GP ships progressively thereafter. Ultimately, German auxiliary ADJUTANT Books, 1989. five battlecruisers, ten battleships, five which had laid a small minefield off the McGibbon, Ian, The Path to Gallipoli, Wellington: GP Books, 1991. light cruisers and thirty two destroyers entrance to Wellington harbour. n Tarrant, V.E., The U-Boat Offensive 1914-1945, were scuttled. Quick action by the Royal Arms and Armour Press, 1989. Navy saved the battleship BADEN, light Van Der Vat, Dan, The Grand Scuttle, Grafton cruisers NURNBERG, FRANKFURT Books, 1988. and EMDEN plus eighteen destroyers If you have found this article of interest then you will enjoy the With a fleet unable to fight or to flee, von Reuter made plans article “Der Tag” the internment of the German Fleet 21.11.1918 by to counter a British seizure by a mass scuttling of all the MURRAY DEAR Richard Jackson and Michael Wynd. The Battle Cruiser SMS DERFFLINGER, scuttled This is available on our website: interned ships. at Scapa Flow, was raised in 1934. This decanter Murray Dear is a retired banker and former was among the ship’s items recovered. National President of the charity Diabetes www.navymuseum.mil.nz and was the terms of the Peace Treaty the German New Zealand. Over many years he has first published in Navy Today in Navy was to be emasculated and all the interned (many of which were unmanned). acquired a strong interest in naval history November 2008. ships were to be handed over to the Allies. The The force guarding the interned ships and is an occasional contributor to Navy [NT 138 November 08] Today and other naval publications. Germans correctly guessed that once a peace treaty on 21 June, the First Battle Squadron

was signed, the British would seize the High Seas under the command of Vice Admiral Sir 2006.1559.6 Fleet. With a fleet unable to fight or to flee, von Fremantle, was absent from Scapa Reuter made plans to counter a British seizure by Flow on torpedo exercises. Only a small a mass scuttling of all the interned ships. Scuttling guard force consisting of two destroyers, was anticipated by the Royal Navy but this would two depot ships plus assorted trawlers, be difficult to prevent as the interned status of the drifters and tenders was present. Once German ships precluded any armed guards being it was realised that a mass scuttling was placed on board. underway, pandemonium broke out and On 20 June von Reuter learned from a four day there was some indiscriminate shooting old copy of The Times that the Allies had given resulting in the death of nine internees Germany a new ultimatum to accept the peace and sixteen wounded by gunfire. These terms by noon on 21 June or face a resumption of men were to be the last casualties of hostilities. Von Reuter made the fateful decision World War I. Eventually order was to order the scuttling on the morning of 21 June. restored with the German crews being Unbeknown to von Reuter, the Reichstag voted made prisoners of war. on 20 June to accept the terms and the Treaty of While Britain was publicly outraged Versailles was subsequently signed by Germany on at the scuttling of the High Seas Fleet, 28 June. privately the Royal Navy was relieved. France and Italy had been pressing to Code for Scuttling receive German capital ships as war Shortly after 1000 on 21 June von Reuter ordered reparations and no doubt other allies such the international code flags ‘D G’ to be raised on as Japan would have asked for their share. his flagship, the cruiser EMDEN. This meant that In a letter to a fellow Admiral, First Sea all the interned ships were to man their bridges and Lord Sir Rosslyn Wemyss wrote “I look This 8 Breadth, flag size, Imperial German Naval Battle Ensign was taken from SMS Nürnberg upon the sinking of the German Fleet as after the ship was taken at Scapa Flow. The flag was subsequently put up as first prize in a raffle keep a special watch for other signals. At 1030 he held in the United Kingdom from which the proceeds went to the Widows and Orphans fund. ordered the flagship’s yeoman of signals to make a real blessing.” In Germany, the scuttling The raffle was won by a New Zealander named Clem Pippin serving at the time in HMS New “Paragraph eleven. Confirm.” This innocuous was greeted with acclaim and von Reuter Zealand, Clem donated it to the Manurewa RSA in 1940. The flag is very large at 4500mm x was promoted to Vice Admiral. 2750mm and is kept in correct storage conditions as part of the Navy Museum's extensive Flag LEFT: The barometer was salvaged from scuttled EMDEN Collection. Its condition when donated was moth eaten along the hoist and in various patches RIGHT: Poster of the day illustrating the surrender of the Most of the ships scuttled at Scapa all over but is still a strong symbol of the powerful German High Seas Fleet and its demise at its High Seas Fleet, 1918 Flow were eventually raised and broken own hand.

8 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 9 HItrcolSTibuOutemRICALn he adBACKGROUND PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE APF003 JENNY Ah MOY Generations of sailors who visited Hong Kong will remember Jenny, her sampan and her band of side party girls. She was a living legend who, despite the colony's constant change, remained the same incomparable institution for over half a century. No First Lieutenant or ship’s Buffer1 will ever forget this wonderful lady and her helpers. Many a sailor will remember her stern words of caution when trying to ‘do a line’ with one of Jenny’s girls.

Whenever a warship visited Hong Kong there was fierce competition between the gangs of girls to be employed as the Ship’s Side Party. Once the gang had been accepted they were employed by that ship. Ah Moy’s party was contracted by all RNZN ships visiting Hong Kong. They washed, chipped and painted the ships’ side. They were restricted to the upper deck and not allowed in messes but for Ah Moy (being number 1) exceptions were made. She was not averse to the occasional tot of rum. 1 Buffer: Chief Bosun’s mate, senior seaman on board ship. APF0003

t was generally agreed that Jenny was education just as Royalist’s career They served by cleaning and painting born in a sampan in Causeway Bay, came to an end in 1965. ships, attending their buoy jumpers, and, IHong Kong in 1917. Her mother, Behind her perpetual great gold-toothed dressed in their best, waiting with grace Jenny One, according to her one surviving grin Jenny complained that she had never and charm upon their guests at cocktail Certificate of Service, which was copied learnt to read or write. But what she parties. Captains and Executive Officers in 1946 from an older, much battered lacked in education she made up more would find fresh flowers in their cabins and largely illegible document, provided than a hundredfold with her immense and newspapers delivered daily and many serviceable sampans for the general use and impressive experience in ship’s a departing officer received a generous of the Royal Navy and was useful for husbandry, her unfailing thoroughness gift as a memento from Jenny. Jenny even changing money, but it was her daughter and apparently inexhaustible energy, took some home to her tiny flat for dinner Jenny who became the celebrity. While her unquestionable loyalty and integrity, – a meal to be remembered. For all of the seamen painted one side of the ship’s her infectious enthusiasm and her innate this she steadfastly refused ever to take hull over several days she and her girls, cheerfulness. any payment. Instead she and her Side working from the sampan, would complete Officially Jenny's Date of Volunteering Party earned their keep selling soft drinks the other in half the time. And their work was recorded as 1928 and from then until to the ships' companies and accepting any was usually to a higher standard. Many 1997 when the colony became a Special item of scrap which could be found on ships drew up a Certificate of Service for Administrative Region of and the board. Tins of paint and food regularly Jenny in recognition of her work. Royal Navy moved out, she and her quietly passed over the side into her little She brought up her two daughters to team of tireless girls unofficially served sampan. help her. The eldest was educated through the British, Australian and New Zealand Jenny's huge collection of photographs the generosity of HMNZS Royalist navies in Hong Kong. Her team at one - too big, she said, to be put into books ABOVE: Ah Moy and her team fly the home-madeH MNZS ROYALIST flag from their sampan inH ong Kong harbour. The flag is now part of the museum’s ship’s fund. The daughter completed her time numbered nearly three dozen. - she stored in a large envelope. They u textile collection. c1957

10 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 11 HITcolrSTibuOutemRICALn he adBACKGROUND from the collthe feuturection avy Museum Official Official Museum N avy RIGHT: ROYALIST Tampion (Wooden stopper for the muzzle of a gun). W orld orld W ar T wo 1946. Collection,

ABOVE: ROYALIST Ship’s Company in Hong Kong 1958 artifacts from the royalist

Hong Kong was an important naval ABOVE: The HMS ACHILLES Ship’s Company made this flag for Ah Moy’s side party in 1946. base (HMS Tamar) for British and dated back to the mid 20th century and Kong, Sir Murray MacLehose. Commonwealth ships during the showed her in the ships she so faithfully When Hong Kong was no longer Korean War, but after 1955 and the served, with Buffers and Side Parties, visited by the great fleets of the British inception of the Commonwealth and with grateful officers, many of Commonwealth Fleet Jenny Strategic Reserve, Singapore (HMS whom became Admirals. In two thick and her Side Party found it increasingly Terror at Sembawang) became albums she proudly kept her letters of difficult to make ends meet. Yet she the focal point for the “Far East reference, all without exception filled stayed fit and always willing to undertake Fleet”. New Zealand’s commitment with praise and affection for her. One any work available. At the end of the was to have one ship (a was a commendation by the Duke of Royal Navy's presence in Hong Kong or cruiser) on station, that was deployed to East Asian waters and ABOVE: HMS Royalist’s engine was made at Scott’s Shipbuilding and Edinburgh for her work in the Royal there could be seen in the shadow of Engineering Company Ltd, Greenock, Scotland, in 1943. Many of the Yacht during a visit to Hong Kong in the towering Prince of Wales building under the operational control of the world’s large ships were made at the Scottish Ship Building yards along 1959. She had a Long Service and within the naval base, a small round Commander in Chief Far East Fleet. the Clyde, sadly they are nearly all gone. This silver box was presented to the Captain and Officers byS cotts in August 1943. Good Conduct Medal presented to figure in traditional baggy black trousers Hong Kong remained none-the-less her in 1938 by the captain of HMS and high-collared smock, with a long RIGHT: Royalist Souvenir Edition- Devonshire and a bar engraved pigtail and eternal smile who, regardless a favourite port during our ships’ This newspaper was produced 'HMS Leander 1975’. of time, remained it seemed for ever – deployments – outside of the by the crew of HMNZS Royalist, while under tow to in Most treasured of all Jenny's just Jenny. typhoon season. Tamar was handy to 1965. (Unaccessioned, Donor Lt distinctions was the Jenny died peacefully in Hong Kong the centre of town and a run ashore Cdr David Abernethy (Rtd). Medal awarded her in the Hong Kong on Wednesday 18th February 2009. was cheap and in that era of the n and tensions with China, LEFT: Japanese Clock Civilian List of the Queen's Birthday She was 92 years old. removed from Japanese Naval Honours in 1980 and with which she, Hong Kong was a symbol of western Headquarters at the surrender of formally named Mrs. Ng Muk Kah, freedom. Singapore 12 September 1945 by the crew of HMS ROYALIST. was invested by the Governor of Hong Gerry Wright

12 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 13 scolhipu nmamn hesead

LEFT HMS DUNEDIN Motto: Nisi Dominus Frustra (Without the Lord in Vain) HMS Dunedin was named in 1919 for both Scotland’s city Edinburgh ( Dunedin means Edinburgh in Gaelic) and the South Island city Dunedin. HMS Dunedin was sunk in 1941 and the name has never been re-used.

FAR LEFT:HMNZS MAORI Motto: Ake Ake Kia Kaha (Fight on Forever) The name has been used three times for Ships since 1909 and from 1949-1968 was the name of the NZ Naval Office in .

OPPOSITE PAGE: deck plate detail HMS ROYALIST Motto: Surtout Loyal (Loyal Above All Things) The name was first used by the Royal Navy in 1769 and referred to the French Royalists arriving in Britain who were fleeing the French revolution.

into the . The Mythology and Britain’s Admiralty showed clear sensitivity to New Zealanders’ own sense of identity. The The Royal Navy in Victorian and first cruiser intended for the NZ Division Edwardian times used many names from was to have been HMS Canterbury, Greek and Roman mythology, an aspect but she was an oil burner and in 1921 we that is still a factor in modern RN ship had no naval fuel oil facilities. Instead, names – witness the Leander-class HMS Chatham was selected – and the new Daring-class destroyers. although she was named for the English In the early 1900s as the defence of the dockyard town, her name alluded to our wider empire became an issue, names Chatham Islands, and the ship herself of the Dominions began to be used. had seen service off Gallipoli. he practice of naming ships dates The first HMS New Zealand When Chatham was replaced, one back to the time of King Henry was a King Edward-class battleship of the two D-class cruisers assigned to III. The oldest warship name was of 1905, accompanied by sisters such the NZ Division was HMS Dunedin, T .1 Queen There are two main reasons for as Hibernia, Hindustan and built during WWI and named for NZ’s reusing a ship’s name. Firstly, it is a link Africa. southern-most city. The replacements with our own naval tradition and the ships for the D-class were two Leander- Ships’ of an earlier era. Secondly, a reminder to HMS NEW ZEALAND class cruisers, carrying classical names, the ships’ companies who serve aboard With the building of our ‘gift battleship,’ Achilles and Leander (those – the new ship of the history that goes with a new , it now illustrious – names are carried on a ship’s name and their responsibility to was eventually decided (after some within our Navy’s New Entry School). carry that tradition forward. In addition, prevarication in Wellington) to name In 1926 we bought a training ship for the the new ship will carry the battle honours her New Zealand. The older new Volunteer Reserve. The little trawler Names of the old ship, again reinforcing the sense battleship was renamed Zealandia was given the Maori name Wakakura of pride, tradition and honour2 the ship’s and trophies such as the older ship’s bell – literally “canoe – school.” In due course The Use and Reuse of company have for their ship. (which incidentally had been paid for the two Flower-class sloops on the New by penny-trails in New Zealand schools) Zealand Station (but British-manned and Ships’ Names in the RNZN Maori Names were transferred to the new battlecruiser. British funded) were due for replacement; In New Zealand, the tradition of using The name New Zealand was to the two modern sloops sent out were HM Maori names started early, when one have been revived by the Royal Navy It is intriguing to examine the way the RNZN Ships Wellington and Leith. of the seven ships of the Australasian in 1945, with a new class of very large However it had been intended that names its ships. Why do we re-use some names Auxiliary Squadron (1891) was named aircraft carriers. That New Zealand another sloop, Auckland, would and others only merit a single use? The arrival of HMS Tauranga. It is understood would have been in good company, with replace Leith, but WWII intervened. that the name was selected by the her sisters due to be called Malta and Wellington was named for our our four new Inshore Patrol Vessels into service British in recognition of the strong naval Gibraltar, but the entire class was capital city. (When the RN wants to highlights the tradition of re-using the names of involvement in the NZ land wars and, in cancelled with the end of WWII. recognise the Duke of Wellington, they ships over the years. particular, the campaign that led to the use the name Iron Duke – used for the battle of Gate Pa. Tauranga’s sister A New Zealand Sense of ship that was Admiral Jellicoe’s flagship at ships all had Australian place names. Identity Jutland and for a contemporary Type 23 1 A. Cecil Hampshire, Just An Old Navy Custom, London: William Meanwhile the New Zealand Naval Forces frigate). Wellington, incidentally Kimber, 1979, p. 120. were developing, eventually to evolve 2 Battle Honours are the ‘campaign medals’ for individual carries a nearly unique battle honour: u warships, reflecting the battles that a particular ship took part in.

14 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 15 scolhipu nmamn hesead

Atlantic 1939-45. Many warships earned replacing their original Scottish loch when she recommissioned in 1977). new frigate was Canterbury. In fact an “Atlantic” battle honour for one or two names with New Zealand lake names The name Monowai - a South the RN offered us the option of using the years but very few served in the Atlantic as in Loch Shin (Taupo), Loch Island lake - recalled the former Union name Achilles for our fourth frigate, for the whole period of the war. Katrine (Rotoiti), Loch Steam Ship Company liner that had but when we chose a ‘province’ name, the RIGHT: HMNZS WELLINGTON With the onset of WWII, New Zealand Achanalt (Pukaki), and Loch been requisitioned in 1940, armed at British gave the name Achilles to one Motto: Supremo Ut Olim ordered three “corvettes” (the term only Eck (Hawea). With the introduction our Dockyard and commissioned into of their last Leander-class frigates. (Supreme as Ever) came into use in 1940 at Prime Minister of the Lake-class patrol craft, the names the RNZN. After active service in the In 1974 a class of four patrol craft built Named after NZ’s capital city, Churchill’s insistence). The new ships were used again. These both honoured Pacific, she was released to the Ministry the dolphin and crown feature by Brooke Marine in the UK were given on the city’s Coat of Arms were given NZ bird names: Kiwi, Moa the tradition and were deemed most of War Transport as an assault ship and Lake names, reviving the names of our and Tui. However four coal-burning appropriate for the new craft. When it went, among other places, to Normandy. Korean War-era frigates. My recollection “Scottish Isles” class minesweepers given came time to name the new Lake-class (Perhaps her name should have been from the Seventies is that there should to NZ in 1941 retained their original Inshore Patrol Vessels, the choice was given to our new MRV!) have been six of the new patrol craft, and names. In 1944 two of the WWII Flower- obvious. they should have been to a larger design class corvettes were given to NZ and they RESOLUTION and ENDEAVOUR (akin to the RAN’s Fremantle-class) but too retained their original names. Australian Names Today’s survey ship in our fleet is the government of the day chose the Post–war, the New Zealand Naval But in 1952 when we were gifted four Resolution, named for Captain cheaper option. So we began to patrol Board decided to acquire two anti- Australian Bathurst-class minesweepers Cook’s second ship (but not for the our newly-claimed 200nm EEZ3 in patrol aircraft cruisers (potential escorts for (named for small Australian towns) we long line of British combat ships bearing craft that weren’t allowed to go out to the the new Australian aircraft carriers) chose to keep the Australian names – as an that name). We also use the name Chatham Islands! and those ships retained their British acknowledgement of the gift. Incidentally Endeavour, a more well-known When in 1981 we arranged to acquire names: Black Prince, Bellona with the Korean War underway and mine name from Cook’s first voyage. Our first two British Leander-class frigates, and, later, Royalist. The Indian warfare proving to be an important factor Endeavour was the little Antarctic they were named Wellington Navy had no qualms about renaming impeding the United Nations’ fleets’ in- supply ship, the second an ex-American and Southland. The name ships – they acquired Achilles and shore operations, the four minesweepers gasoline also used for Antarctic Wellington of course had a proud promptly renamed her Delhi, so the were acquired for a serious military supply and the name continues in use lineage, but Southland? Yes it kept ship swapped ‘’our” set of battle honours purpose. on our fleet replenishment tanker. Our the inter-island balance, but not the most for the battle honours of a former D-class Similarly, the loan survey ship connection to Captain Cook is also inspiring name for a warship, I think! cruiser. Lachlan (which we later purchased remembered by Adventure, our (Southland was given a full-sized outright) retained her Aussie River- current deployable survey motor boat. stuffed ram, which was accommodated in Loch Class Frigates class name. Lachlan - the Ghost of When we began to name the Seaward the cabin flat - he was named Achilles!) When in 1948 the Government agreed the Coast - was eventually replaced by Defence Motor Launches, from about In 1984 we revived some older names for but the RNZNVR Division in Wellington, frigate Canterbury, the name was to acquire a flotilla of Loch-class frigates, HMNZS Monowai, a converted 1955, the Fisheries Protection Squadron the four little Inshore Patrol Craft, built to HMNZS Olphert, is named for a quickly re-assigned to the new multi-role it was a logical decision to rename merchant ship. (The conversion ensured MLs were given Maori fish names. serve the four RNZNVR Divisions: Kiwi, famous naval officer from WWI who was vessel. them for NZ lakes. These names were she was the most well-equipped survey However, two MLs adapted for surveying Moa, Wakakura and Hinau. The instrumental in establishing the Volunteer We now have in our fleet the third first assigned to the Loch-class frigates ship of any Commonwealth Navy, were given Maori seabird names. Aboard name Tui had already been allocated Reserve in the 1920s. Similarly the naval group of ships to be called the Lake-class: Lachlan they also named the ship’s to our ex-American oceanographic ship, headquarters, HMNZS Wakefield, Taupo, Rotoiti, Pukaki, and individual survey motor boats, a tradition which served in the RNZN from 1971- LEFT: HMNZS ENDEAVOUR is named for the naval officer, brother Hawea. The previous Chief of Navy, Motto: Nil Intentatum which continued aboard Monowai. 1995. Reputedly we paid only a dollar a of E.G. Wakefield of the NZ Company, Admiral Ledson, was keen to revive (Nothing Unattempted) year to lease that ship. who was killed in the Wairau Affray of names from an earlier period and to give Captain James Cook first visited NZ Inter-island Balance in 1769 in the HMS ENDEAVOUR. 1843. the new ships a distinct heritage. This was It was in the late 1950s that we ordered An Early Tradition Continued The compass alludes to his charting When in 1994 we acquired a roll-on not an arbitrary decision; he discussed it skills and the stars represent the the first of our new Type 12 frigates – they Under Admiral Jack Welch we began a roll-off ferry to work as a military sea lift with key advisers and extensively with the Southern Cross. were given NZ province names, Otago new era of names for our newest frigates ship, it seemed only right to name the Minister of Defence of the day. and Taranaki. Of course there had Te Kaha and Te Mana. He had the ship for New Zealand’s most famous Similarly he chose two ‘province’ to be a balance between the North and options researched and possible names soldier, Charles Upham VC and Bar (who names, Otago and Wellington, South Islands, and reputedly the decision were discussed with Maori scholars. died in November 1994 and his exploits for the new Protector-class offshore was based on which province held the While the names are new to the RNZN, were fresh in the public mind) and due patrol vessels. We hope to see them Ranfurly Shield at the time! The next they do however parallel some of the to lack of support in Defence HQ, she delivered to NZ later this year. frigate was Waikato, and after a period names used for past British warships. Te was never given the funds to fit her for With the delivery of the new Project operating the loaned Blackpool Kaha translates as strength, and names her military role. HMNZS Charles Protector vessels, the challenge of (nick named Muddy Puddle) our fourth like Invincible and Valiant Upham therefore became a political choosing names for new ships may not are prominent in the British naval embarrassment (in terms of range, vehicle arise for some years. But 120 years on tradition. Similarly, I suggest Te Mana HMNZ Ships’ Shapes and Surrounds. capacity and sea lift potential, she was from HMS Tauranga, the first could equate to Illustrious or never an operational embarrassment). warship with a ‘Kiwi’ name, we have Circular Battle Ships and Battle Cruisers Magnificent. Pentagonal Cruisers Sadly, when the new MRV was approved gained a selection of possible ship names within , there was no that reflect both our national and our Shield Destroyers Honouring our Heroes Diamond Auxiliary Ships and Shore Establishments way the name Charles Upham naval heritage. n We do not often name ships for people, Fern Leaves silver would be re-used. Instead, because of the Name Plate Black letters on white background long service and great affection felt for the Richard Jackson Gold remaining surrounds 3 Exclusive Economic Zone extends 200 nautical miles around NZ and all it is outer islands.

16 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 17 HItcolhSTe uOnmRavyICALn h ien adBACKG east tRimoOUNrD 1999-2000 PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE Private Collection: W arren Cummins 2006.1560.10

RNZN in EAST TIMOR 1999-2000

ABOVE: New Zealand White Ensign flown by HMNZS CANTERBURY's ship's boat during Operation Stabilise off the coast ofE ast Timor 1999. This year marks the tenth anniversary of

the intervention by Indonesia into East entrusted to organise a referendum on to leave the province for other parts of 7Most importantly, the use of force was Timor. In 1999, as Commanding Officer of self-determination and a United Nations Indonesia5. Indonesian authorities did allowed and the International Force East Mission was formed to oversee it. nothing to stop the violence. Timor (INTERFET) was created under HMNZS CANTERBURY, Warren Cummins the command of an Australian Army served at East Timor when the New An independent East Timor Military Coalition led by officer, Major-General Peter Cosgrove. Zealand Navy responded to the United Some within the Indonesian government Australia From New Zealand three RNZN warships and military began to surreptitiously rally Facing severe international pressure, were despatched to take part in this multi- Nations request for help. In this article he militia units within East Timor, with Indonesia agreed to allow a United Nations national and tri-service force, TE KAHA, ABOVE: Warren Cummins in cap and sunglasses tells us a little of this experience. the clear intent of influencing the ballot force into East Timor on 12 September.6 CANTERBURY and ENDEAVOUR. result through intimidation and threat.3 Australia accepted the task of lead nation Each played significant, if varied, parts in ast Timor sits at the lower end of Indonesian Occupation on 17 July 1976 the country was annexed Residents were beaten and tortured, for a military coalition and offered itself in the operation. the Indonesian Archipelago and Faced with the possibility of a new and and became Indonesia’s 27th province.1 crowds intimidated and the populace this role on 14 September. The following E600 nautical miles north of Darwin democratic state emerging on their eastern The resistance movement continued generally made to fear for their lives. day the United Nations Security Council HMNZS TE KAHA in Australia. Apart from a brief period border, Indonesia began a campaign of throughout the Indonesian occupation, Despite this, 98 percent of all voters adopted Resolution 1264. This invoked In September 1999 TE KAHA and of Japanese occupation during WW2 destabilisation and border incursions although time and Indonesian efforts turned out to register a massive vote for Chapter VII of the United Nation’s ENDEAVOUR were located to the north, East Timor had been a stable, if poor, into East Timor territory. Then on 7 succeeded in wearing it away.2 independence.4 Charter authorising the formation of an conducting exercise STARDEX near Portuguese colony for over 400 years. In December 1975, Indonesia commenced Internal political turmoil in Indonesia Sadly – it was also to be a road to international force to: “restore peace and Singapore and Malaysia. Once notified, 1974 the colonial empire collapsed as a a full-scale assault on East Timor’s capital eventually brought events in East Timor death and destruction at the hands of the security in East Timor, to protect and TE KAHA turned and ran directly to consequence of the bloodless Carnation of Dili and the coastal city of Bacau, East to a dramatic conclusion in 1999. This militias. Dili and other towns were sacked support UNAMET in carrying out its tasks the immediate vicinity of Timor to join Revolution and East Timor was largely Timor’s second largest town. began with the resignation of President and an unknown number of Timorese and, within force capabilities, to facilitate Australian ships on station. Following a left to self govern, although a Portuguese Resistance was far greater than the Suharto in January and by May, the were killed. Up to 400,000 people were humanitarian assistance operations…” tense passage through the Wetar Strait, governor remained in place. East Timor Indonesians had anticipated and by Secretary-General of the UN was displaced and many of these were forced immediately North of Timor, and a u moved slowly towards self-determination April 1976 35,000 ground troops were 3 John Lyons, “The Timor Truth Gap”, The Bulletin, 30 November 5 Noppadon Pattama, “East Timor: the consequences for ASEAN”, short stay in the vicinity of the island, TE and self government for the first time required to maintain an Indonesian 1 John Crawford and Glyn Harper, Operation East Timor, Reed, 1999, pp. 24-25. East Timor – The Consequences, p. 35, New Zealand Institute of NZ, 2001, p. 14. 4 Anthony Smith, “East Timor: Opting for independence”, New International Affairs, Victoria University, Wellington, 2000. 7 UN Security Council Resolution 1264 dated 15 September since colonisation. presence in East Timor. Nevertheless 2 Ibid, p. 18 Zealand International Review, Nov/Dec 1999, p. 8. 6 Crawford and Harper, p. 49. 1999, (Copy at Enclosure).

18 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 19 ntmcolhavyurure un miavynnoa e ha i e1995-6stnad e taimost trimor 1999-2000 the fu- ture

KAHA was despatched to Darwin to refuel. BELOW RIGHT: Lt Cdr McDougall of HMNZS CANTERBURY reflecting a new role envisaged for the ship were well equipped to be able to signal each Eventually TE KAHA escorted part of a served at East Timor in 1999 and donated this baseball as she approached retirement. However other. cap (previous page), overalls and Lt Cdr rank slides. large amphibious8 group back to Timor in retirement was not to be and during a quiet the first wave of troops and equipment to be Sunday afternoon stroll, the CO was quizzed CANTERBURY Patrols landed from the sea. After a week on duty, by Fleet staff in Auckland, “something might The following morning, CANTERBURY TE KAHA was relieved by CANTERBURY mean you needed to head north and, if so, passed TOBRUK to the Dili and continued on her way to operations in what would we need?” Tantalising indeed! (DGS), HMAS ANZAC and began the first the Persian Gulf. Sworn to secrecy until the following morning, of four lengthy (for a Leander Class Frigate) CANTERBURY was left to consider how patrols. Each patrol grew longer as other

HMNZS ENDEAVOUR 2006.346.6 they could nurse more months out of a ship ships of the INTERFET force developed Meanwhile ENDEAVOUR had made overdue for maintenance but fully trained delays or problems. CANTERBURY, ground to Singapore and refuelled with and ready to go. An enviable position, albeit a dependable workhorse, was almost double her normal load of AVCAT9 and with some difficulties! continuously on station around the island. the remaining capacity full of DIESO10. With their attendance confirmed, they Duties varied from being the DGS, through Once full she returned to sea and headed sailed for home, supplies and a helicopter. to acting as armed escort for Landing for the Operations Area. Despite a brief At an average speed in excess of 21 knots Craft entering territory under dispute with engineering defect requiring her to anchor CANTERBURY arrived in Auckland Indonesia. CANTERBURY also escorted and a warship which shadowed her for 24 harbour after only 51 hours at sea – one the first amphibious ANZAC landing at hours in Indonesian waters, she arrived off of, if not the, fastest crossing of the Tasman Suai when the TOBRUK carried the New Dili harbour on 18 September. Initially by a warship! There followed two frantic Zealand Battalion to land in the area on the ENDEAVOUR was told to proceed with days of preparation including the dreaded South side of Timor. previous orders, a situation that caused ‘inoculations’ for every known disease. Not confusion because at that point, she had everyone enjoyed the preparations! Topped “Odd Jobs” Ashore none! Eventually things became clear and to the gunnels with fuel, ammunition and CANTERBURY also extended herself ENDEAVOUR began a routine that would stores, CANTERBURY sailed with despatch ashore. Once the initial tension subsided, the become familiar: lengthy anchorages and and reached Darwin on 25 September 1999 Commanding Officer made contact with the short bursts of activity, followed by re- ready for her first tasking. NZ forces ashore and sought employment fuelling visits to ports out of the region then for his ship’s company to relieve the patrols. back in again. Action Stations There was both the opportunity and desire Over two separate tours of duty in CANTERBURY’s attachment to INTERFET to support the shore ops and this manifested INTERFET, ENDEAVOUR delivered began officially at midnight 27 September with itself into a range of ‘odd jobs’ undertaken a total of 12,177 cubic metres of diesel, orders to escort HMAS TOBRUK into the at a moment’s notice. The first of these ‘odd 1,330 cubic metres of AVCAT and over 90 area of operations and then to Dili. Under jobs’ was also memorable. It consisted of a pallets of food or stored equipment. More cover of darkness CANTERBURY slipped small group of highly armed sailors escorting importantly, the ship had maintained the vital from the harbour and was joined some hours the United Nation’s first rice supply to the flow of fuel to INTERFET when SUCCESS, later off the entrance by TOBRUK. The Dili residents and it almost ended badly. the RAN’s fleet tanker, was required to time spent waiting for the amphibious ship The UN were disorganised and despite remained stationary in Dili. ENDEAVOUR was usefully employed as weapon systems having arranged for the sailors to get to the acted as the sole military tanker supplying were loaded with live ammunition, and the rice, they did not have plans for them to the less urgent but more diverse (and no less ship was brought to action stations and then return laden with the rice, leaving the crew critical) requirements of INTERFET in the ABOVE: This holdall from CANTERBURY contains into to defence watches to allow continuous of sailors some considerable 6 kilometres field dressings and anti-flash gear , worn as busy days near mission end. surveillance and monitoring of operations.11 distance from the ship and wharf. Fortunately, pictured above. The following day of transit towards the senior gunnery Chief Petty Officer Rick HMNZS CANTERBURY TOP: Dark green arm brassard (identifying East Timor CANTERBURY patrolled an Derkson, had insisted on attending and as The final and longest serving of the armband or badge) with INTERFET (International uninterrupted sector around the landing ship soon as the dilemma became apparent he Force East Timor) and NZ flag on it. RNZN warships in INTERFET was but as night fell and the ships approached formed the highly armed and heavily laden CANTERBURY. As events unfolded in the Wetar Strait, a number of darkened sailors into formation and began the long jog Timor, CANTERBURY was in Sydney Indonesian surface vessels approached the “at the double” towards CANTERBURY enjoying a well earned break following formation, presumably to identify and track and the eventual evening pickup from the a six month deployment and Principal the INTERFET ships. CANTERBURY wharf at Dili. Warfare Officer (PWO) training week. assumed a defensive position ‘up threat’ Despite this rocky start, work details PWO training is intense as the ship spends and shielded TOBRUK from any close proved highly popular and eventually every long periods at action stations fighting off encounters with the Indonesian vessels, who crew member of CANTERBURY had the simulated attacks by Air (Fighters), Surface closed to within approximately 2,000 yards, opportunity to serve on a detail ashore. There (other Ships) and Sub Surface (Submarines) before turning away.12 No communications they witnessed first hand the devastation that Units attack. Unusually her ship’s company took place between any of the ships, despite had bought them to this island. consisted of a large percentage of trainees, the fact that both nations had recently Often the odd job calls would be made exercised together during KAKADU and to the ship in the middle of the previous 8 Amphibious ships are used to transport land forces by sea and move them across the shoreline 11 Glyn Harper, Record of Interview, Cdr W.M. Cummins, ONZM, night and CANTERBURY would then 9 AVCAT:Aviation fuel for maritime aircraft RNNZ, dated 13 November 1999, p. 2 materialise in the approaches to Dili, land a u 10 DIESO : Marine Diesel 12 Crawford and Harper, p. 112.

20 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 21 colthe unmavyn h ienad east timor 1999-2000 hms new zealand centenary 1909 - 2009

Bacau to try to identify the source. Well her age and previous mechanical issues. within the range of shore fire, the gunfire During the Timor commitment she quickly ceased and the perpetrators were achieved a remarkable 92% availability The disappearance of HMS New Zealand’s guns never seen but it was a reminder that the of all her systems through a policy of countryside still swarmed with hostile flexible maintenance initiated by the Russ Glackin’s article in the last White Ensign, Autumn 2009, sought to explain the origin of the two and active militia. Early the next morning two engineering officers, Lieutenant 4 inch guns outside the Auckland Memorial Museum and resulted in considerable correspondence there was further excitement at 0345 Commanders Andrew Ford (WEO) and

Private Collection: W arren Cummins when two fast moving aircraft, presumed Phil Bradshaw (MEO). relating to what happened to the remainder of the guns from HMS NEW ZEALAND. to be Indonesian Hawks, approached Together the RNZN ships the ship from the land. Weapons crews CANTERBURY, TE KAHA and hen HMS New Zealand again turned out as a precaution but the ENDEAVOUR achieved a remarkable was in the process of being aircraft turned away well outside warning presence in East Timor that commenced Wscrapped under the terms of the range and headed in the direction of in September 1999 and concluded Washington Agreement in 1921, the New West Timor. In total 10 unidentified in March 2000. In that time all three Zealand Government requested the return of aircraft flew at CANTERBURY during of the ships operated under a United the battle cruiser’s secondary armament, its the patrols near East Timor. Each Nations mandate to both enforce and fourteen 4 inch Mk VII guns, to New Zealand. event proved stressful as guns crews and keep the peace. This was a higher than The guns arrived in 1923 along with two operational staff prepared for a possible normal tempo than any of the sailors and 2-pounder Pom Poms from the same ship attack. Fortunately none eventuated.13 officers had expected but to which they, but without any appreciation of how and admirably, committed and enjoyed. n where they could be utilised. It was finally Relieving the Tension decided in 1925 to use them in two six-gun The patrols were not without some Warren Cummins saluting batteries, one on the tennis court relief though. During one patrol the close by South Battery on North Head in ship’s diving team ventured ashore and Captain Warren Cummins, ONZM, RNZN Auckland and the other on Point Jerningham (Rtd) was the Commanding Officer of HMNZS in Wellington. The two remaining guns investigated the World War II wreck of CANTERBURY from 1997-2000 and during East were mounted in front of the Auckland War the HMAS VOYAGER, lost during active Timor operations in 1999. He joined the RNZN service to a grounding and eventually, via the Cadet Midshipman scheme (Jervis Bay) Memorial Museum in 1932. The six 4 inch Mk Japanese attack. At the end of each patrol in 1977 and retired in 2006 to pursue a career in VII gun saluting battery was duly installed the Public Service. He is currently the Regional on Point Jerningham in Wellington but ABOVE: Mounting HMS New Zealand’s 4 inch gun at Fort Takapuna. c1938 the opportunity was taken to unload the Manager for the Northern Region of the Prison weapons via the barrel which helped to Service, Department of Corrections and lives in its guns were then re-deployed when the Guns Redeployed with unintended consequences. The most Auckland with his wife and two children. Examination Service (XS) was resurrected in ...they relieve the stress and fatigue plus it had In 1938 four of the 4 inch Mk VII guns in the tragic incident occurred in October 1939 all the major harbours immediately prior to the advantage of avoiding double handling North Head saluting battery were mounted as a result of a deflection error. The 40-foot witnessed first the outbreak of World War II. of the ammunition. at Fort Takapuna to bring the existing XB fishing trawler Dolphin was hit by a ‘bring As the CANTERBURY cleared the in Auckland up to a full-time war-footing. to’ round fired from Battery Point killing the hand the devastation Examination Service operational area on the way back to It was further strengthened in 1940 when Master Fred Brasell. These incidents slowed The Service had originally been introduced that had brought Darwin, an unalerted flare or balloon the two training guns in the Artillery Yard as the threat of Japanese invasion began by Imperial Instruction in August 1914 as target would be the signal to open fire at Torpedo Bay were also transferred to to wane throughout 1943. When defended part of the general plan for the defence of them to this island .. and every weapon system was expected to Fort Takapuna. The Northern Steamship port status was withdrawn in August 1945, the Empire. All ships entering and leaving participate or lose the opportunity in the Company vessel Hauiti was requisitioned as the Examination Service was disestablished New Zealand harbours were to be examined work party, before disappearing back brief but highly spectacular engagements. the XV for Auckland harbour. as the nation’s coastal defences were and approved. Prior to gaining approval to out to her patrol line for the day. In the Once completed, any remaining Four of the guns from Point Jerningham gradually reduced. enter harbour through the ‘friendly’ channel afternoon this routine was repeated with ammunition would be struck down14 saluting battery were deployed as the Gap in the minefields and booms that ran across the addition of a quick dash ten miles out (much to the chagrin of the weapons Battery at Fort Dorset, Wellington to serve as The 1950s harbour entrances, ships were required to: from the coast to allow a ‘hands to bathe’ crew!) and the weapons cleaned and Wellington’s XB. The first pair were mounted The 4 inch Mk VII guns from HMS New • anchor in an Examination Anchorage to allow those who had been working in stored or returned to the harbour state in in 1936, the second pair in 1938. Two of these Zealand were progressively scrapped (XA)under the guns of the hot, grimy capital, to wash away the preparation for arrival in Darwin. guns were then relocated at Fort Ballance in throughout the 1950s. Fort Takapuna’s • an Examination Battery (XB) which was dirt in the sea. Generally this routine 1940. The Janie Seddon remained as the XV, two remaining guns were mounted in • supplemented by Examination vessels worked well although from time to time A Remarkable Presence a role that it had fulfilled since the GreatW ar. North Battery on North Head before being (XV) with a guard and guide function. sea snakes and other marine ‘things’ The four CANTERBURY patrols The remaining pair of Point Jerningham’s 4 scrapped in 1960. Wellington’s Fort Dorset’s • Hostile ships would be immediately would make the swim less attractive. included a brief period during November inch Mk VII guns were sent to Lyttelton in Gap Battery guns were scrapped in the Read more about the East Timor engaged by ‘bring to’ rounds fired by as the only warship on station and the 1939 and were mounted on Battery Point late 1950s. The guns on Battery Point were Intervention and the RNZN’s part in the XB. Sea Patrols operation was difficult and lengthy for to serve as Lyttelton’s XB. These effectively replaced by 3.7-AA guns. Battery Point’s OPERATION EAST TIMOR: But the increasing costs of the Service The patrols at sea were also not without the ship and crew, coming immediately replaced Fort Jervois which had functioned guns were placed in storage before being and manning shortages resulted in its incident, which kept everyone on their at the end of a six month training The New Zealand Defence Force in East in the role up to that time. The Great War dumped at sea off Godley Head in the 1950s. suspension in 1915 and it was replaced by toes. A routine damage control exercise deployment. CANTERBURY was Timor 1999-2001. veteran, the John Anderson, continued The two 4 inch guns mounted today outside watch-keeping from the harbour Signal was interrupted on 7 October when the fortunate to have completed the entire Authors: John Crawford and Glyn Harper. to serve as the XV in Lyttelton until 1940. the Auckland War Memorial Museum are crew heard the sounds of heavy operation with few mechanical defects, Available from the museum shop at $35 Stations. Consideration was given to its re- truly the last of the HMS New Zealand Contact: Brian Burford gunfire. The noise was reported as being a remarkable achievement considering introduction in 1916 but it did not resume guns remaining. n Ph: (09) 4461827 Tragic Accident from the shore and CANTERBURY until the late 1930s as war tensions again 13 Crawford and Harper, p. 102. E: [email protected] The XBs 4 inch guns collectively fired over increased. closed to within a mile of the coast near 14 Struck Down: Stores received on the ship and moved below fifty ‘bring to’ rounds at various ships, often decks into designated store rooms www.navymuseum.mil.nz Russ Glackin

22 The White Ensign winter 09 The White Ensign winter 09 23 tcolhreeum sern hviceades, one force LIGHT BLUE DARK BLUE The experiences of a Leading Aircraftsman as an RNZN Photographer These days there are few service people who haven’t had the opportunity to work alongside people from one or more of their sister Services. But in 1959 it was a little different.

t that time the Services had skill, and in the post war years more or less completed had used keen amateurs or, in LAC Boyd hard at work – a photo taken on HMNZS BLACK PRINCE for a Navy News article on RNZAF Photographers at sea. c.1959 Atheir restructuring after the Hydrographic Branch, used World War II, there was massive ratings sent on a short course to the Force paid its troops on the wrong downsizing and all that went into RNZAF School of Photography at Thursday! Stand Easy and duff, doing watch determining an appropriate size Ohakea. These people had served Hammocks were the in thing for and collecting your tot and shape for the future. The well, but it diverted them from their sleeping in those days. For a while I Korean War was over, and New prime tasks, and they had little slept on a stretcher in my darkroom but not over demanding, which My next Captain was Commander Zealand's strategic focus shifted opportunity to expand and enhance floor, but rapidly learnt to use a provided me with the opportunity to Bill Smith1 DSO2 RNZN, who has to South East Asia. Instead of the necessarily limited training they “mick”, which was much better in the get involved in a whole range of new recently, and deservedly, had a high peace, the continuing Cold War had received. There needed to be rough stuff. and interesting things. The principles profile in respect of his World War II commitments meant a prolonged another solution. Sunday morning divisions – where of survey and chart making I found exploits in the submarine service. period of consolidation, re- do you put a stray airman? The very useful years later when, back with equipment and deployments to the Integrating the Services- Coxswain spent a lot of time explaining, the Air Force, I trained through the Different Cultures Commonwealth Strategic Reserve one at a time apologising really, that he had to put army as a photo interpreter and map I’ve referred to the trivia of merging in Malaya. Subsequently we fought Early in 1959, I was a Leading me in the “Miscellaneous” Division – reader. I also had the opportunity to two quite different cultures, and in the Indonesian Confrontation Aircraftsman (LAC) and was the way of providing for all those who learn a bit about boat handling, and whatever people say, they are different. and then Vietnam. posted to a seagoing appointment didn’t obviously have a home. got to steer the ship from time to time. Obviously not being able to knock off One of the outcomes of this was on HMNZS Lachlan, the Technically, the work was different, While I wouldn’t allow anyone to and go home at 1700 was a new thing, that, while the need for certain Navy’s Hydrographic Survey vessel. TOP LEFT: High tech - The tellurometer was a put their life at risk from one of my although I quite enjoyed some of the skills remained, the relatively I wasn’t the first one. Several others line of sight surveying device . ropes, I can still splice an eye and tie night watches when I was able to help small size of the services made it had done stints some time earlier, the odd fancy knot. All in all a great with the survey recording using the difficult to retain a viable strength and what’s more Gerry Matthews MIDDLE: Guitars on the quarterdeck, provided essential evening entertainment. opportunity for a young man trying to then state of the art radio navigation in those skills. In simple terms, you had grown a ginger beard, then and learn as much as he could. systems like Two Range Decca3. There needed several people to maintain now, regardless of colour, a no-no BOTTOM: Boyd recalls, “Here is LACHLAN My first captain was Commander is a whole different atmosphere about one position, but the cost of doing for the RNZAF. The opportunities at anchor in the Marlborough Sounds after being spruced up for a command inspection, Frank Hunt, RN, with whom I would night watches, something I have since u this was horrendous. Many of the seemed endless! in which the inspecting officer of the time later meet up when he was captain skills were not available outside But there had been a several year ungraciously noted that “it was obvious of HMS Cook. I was posted to 1 Commander Bill Smith: Sub Lieutenant William ‘Kiwi’ Smith that a great deal of time and effort had was awarded the DSO for his part in sinking the Japanese the Service, and outsourcing was gap. As far as I could ascertain, RNZAF Base Lauthala Bay in Suva, cruiser Takao in Singapore harbour on 31 July 1945 as the been used to bring the ship up to standard.” first lieutenant aboard the midget submarine XE3. not seen as a useful concept at that no-one then on board had known The thing that I remember most about this and HMS Cook landed on the reef 2 DSO: Distinguished Service Order Gerry, and certainly no-one, 3 Two Range Decca: (2RD) was one of the early electronic time. photo is that, to take it, I was being rowed while surveying the entrance to Suva position fixing devices. As used in the RNZN it consisted of One of the trades subject to these including me, knew how to integrate around the ship in a dinghy by the Captain, Harbour. The RNZAF provided two “slave” stations in fixed positions on the coast, with a Commander Bill Smith. The exceptionally third station on the ship. As the ship steamed along survey sorts of manning problems was an airman into the life of the ship. considerable assistance at that time, lines its position could be established by “triangulation” on tall is the receiving station for the Two the two shore based stations. It was a similar principle to photography. The RNZN needed In those days of payment in cash, Range Decca system as mentioned in the and we were both pleased to be that used taking sextant sights on a pair of trig stations, but article.” could be used 24/7, allowing survey lines to be run through a good level of photographic even pay was a problem, the Air working with someone we knew. the night

24 The White Ensign wiinter 09 TThehe WWhitehite EEnsignnsign wwiinternter 0909 25 tcolhreeum sern hviceades, one force

ABOVE LEFT: LACHLAN Negative Register 1951 - 1973

anyway, because the enlarger vibrated all over the place in that sort of weather, and never at any time the ship was doing more than about ten knots. Photos printed under those “LACHLAN surveyed many harbours and ports for redevelopment, in my time Whangarei, Bluff, Picton, Kaiapoi and Jackson’s Bay. conditions looked as if they had been and sometimes returned for the formal opening of the facilities. Here she is alongside at Bluff Harbour, having participated earlier in the day in the formal opening of the new and very impressive harbour redevelopment.” struck by lightning. Keeping the darkness was a observed in other areas. The idea that New Experiences rechart the coastline of New Zealand. problem. Integrity was maintained 100 odd guys are sleeping below, and Other new experiences? Plenty, We were actually updating charts, I recently met a man who collected by a red light and a notice “keep out our group of half a dozen is keeping ranging from watching the dockyard many of which were originally made when the light is on.” Predicably, the world afloat is sort of creepy, and mateys fishing when we were being dry by Captain Cook. And I am thrilled knives, and he showed me a “Navy much work was spoilt when people is replicated on many night watches. docked, to climbing Mayor Island in to have been part of it. didn’t see the red light, or the notice. I observed it particularly later on the Bay of Plenty to build a trig station And no, I didn’t grow a beard. Seaman’s Knife”, at which I exclaimed airfield guards in Borneo, or on any which was big enough to take a sight without thinking much, “Pusser’s Dirk” Light Blue, Dark Blue base after there has been a death. on from way out at sea. The odd VIP Archival Photographs So, this is my version in brief of what Atmosphere is probably the only visit, not as easy to photograph in the happened when the light blue of the there was a lot of deterioration due to word to describe it. confines of the ship as it is in an Air Intact Air Force invaded the quite different the backing breaking down through Language was another thing. Stand Force hangar, and the time the ship I had long thought that I might like dark blue of the Navy. I had Air Force poor storage. Paul tells me that it is Easy and duff, doing watch and was participating in some research on to get copies of some of my photos friends saying things like “If I’d wanted possible to recover some of these, but, collecting your tot. I recently met sludge in the oil fuel, requiring the from this period, as I hadn’t kept to go to sea I’d have joined the Navy, as always, at a cost. a man who collected knives, and fuel tanks to be emptied out and – many, but often talked about it. In I certainly didn’t join the Air Force to he showed me a “Navy Seaman’s guess who? – lowered into the tank to effect, I was progressing further down go to sea.” But for me it was an entry Technical Difficulties Knife”, at which I exclaimed without record the sludge levels. the track of the “boring old man” into a world that I couldn’t even have My darkroom was an interesting place thinking much, “Pusser’s Dirk”.I was But even then, and I am sure now, syndrome. Anyway, I asked the Navy imagined and I will always be grateful to photographers and the uninitiated able to discuss its value and use with the differences were more superficial photographers, and the RNZAF at for the opportunity. alike. It was a good sized room by any n him, and note that I still have one at than real. The similarities were more both Ohakea and Wigram, and the Navy Museum. The negatives finally standards, converted from some sort home – it is very useful as a pruning important. Yes, I did some of my Fraser Boyd came to light, “stored away” and Navy of storage compartment on the ship. knife in the garden. photography from the unsteady deck Fraser enlisted in the RNZAF as a photographer But as well as a darkroom, it was my So it was language, customs, fit and of a converted frigate rather than the Museum Archivist Paul Restall gave in January 1957, two years later he was posted studio, had a sleeping capacity of two as photographer on board HMNZS Lachlan. whatever. Going ashore at Garden equally unstable hatch of a Bristol me access to them. I was particularly interested in the possible state of (myself and an Able Rate), and in rough After 18 years in various roles he changed trade Island Dockyard in Sydney, the Freighter or Sunderland Flying Boat, and was posted to the HQ NZDF work study weather anyone wanting to go to the aft matelots just walked out the gate, and but the issue, as always, is really about them some 50 years later, given that team in Wellington. He retired from the RNZAF compartments had to crawl through a in 1975 and continued to work in the same role in again, while I was always challenged people. I met some great people, photography in those days used considerable quantities of water, but hatch from the artificers’ workshop as a civilian until 1990. In 2008 he retired from – who are you and what are you doing and can still reel off a list of names. I the post of Deputy Director Logistic Support, next door, through the darkroom and here? That said, I was always proud am still in contact with a few of them, on board there was a genuine attempt HQ NZDF. out my door. So, in rough weather, to be associated with those self same at Christmas anyway, some forty plus to minimise the use of water. Had they He is now occupying his retirement with 5 I didn’t have a darkroom, I had a grandchildren, a largish garden, active church sailors, they were great company, years later. But it was a team, working ABOVE: Early Eastman survived intact? From what I could see, Kodak Camera used by there was relatively little deterioration thoroughfare! involvement, working as a Justice of the Peace, doing a good and useful job. towards a common goal, in this case to a small part time job with the Defence Industry Chief Motor Mechanic A.G. I couldn’t do a lot in rough weather Messenger during WWI. due to retained chemicals, although Association – and writing magazine articles!

26 The White Ensign wiinter 09 TThehe WWhitehite EEnsignnsign wwiinternter 0909 27 pacolstu amsn p hrologead ue local history

The sun shone brilliantly he bay was cluttered with small a relationship with Margaret Reardon, from a clear, cold blue June boats from ships in the stream1, a married woman separated from her Tprivate vessels and large Maori husband and together they lived in a sky as a horse-drawn dray waka plying for hire as the entourage shack built by Burns in Mechanics Bay rumbled out of the yard of replete with coffin boarded the pinnace2 in Auckland. Two sons resulted from the the Auckland jail at the foot from the Ann. Accompanied by a flotilla relationship. of vessels of all sizes, shapes and colours Burn’s drinking and its resulting of Victoria Street. It lurched the pinnace set off across the harbour to violence made him almost unemployable. slowly down a muddy Queen the North Shore. With policemen before He worked in a market garden in 1845 and behind, the little band strode up the until dismissed for assaulting the foreman Street flanked by ten armed beach at Sandspit, now Windsor Reserve and a considerable time elapsed before policemen and a detachment Devonport. The clergyman reading the he found work as a farm labourer on of mounted troopers followed burial service preceded the condemned the North Shore. In 1847 he was again prisoner as they approached the scene dismissed for stealing and butchering his by the Sheriff, the jailer, the of his crime. A gallows had been erected employer’s stock and was evicted from Inspector of Police and several there for the first execution of a European the farm cottage which came with the job. other minor functionaries. for a capital crime in New Zealand. The He built a rough dwelling for his growing comes to condemned man was Joseph Burns and family among the Maoris in Shoal Bay Death Crowds stood silent on the the day was Saturday, 17 June, 1848. Devonport and survived on casual labour edge of the unpaved, rough for Chief Patuone3, but life was becoming and ready street, turning their Ship’s Carpenter Joseph Burns desperate. On the 22 October, 1847 he Devonport Joseph Burns was born in Liverpool of murdered Lieutenant Robert Snow and A local tragedy from yester year heads slowly to watch them Irish parents in 1805 and joined the Royal his wife and daughter. pass into Shortland Crescent. Navy as a ship’s carpenter in about 1825 Both occupants of the dray and arrived in the Bay of Islands in 1840 Lieutenant Robert Snow on the store ship HMS Buffalo. The Lt. Robert Snow, Royal Navy, had sat precariously side by side ship was wrecked in Mercury Bay and worked his way through the ranks to gain on the coffin resting on the today leaves its name on Buffalo Beach his commission as an officer, which was in Whitianga. Burns took his discharge no small achievement at that time. He floor, as the dray lurched from the Royal Navy in New Zealand then elected to remain in New Zealand, into Official Bay, a trip that and moved to Auckland where he first taking a partial discharge from the Navy usually took twenty minutes worked for a local boat builder. He before moving from Russell, where he won a hard-earned reputation as a heavy had worked on Governor Hobson’s staff. u but today took over three drinker which he insisted was the result 3 Brother to Tamati Waka Nene, Patuone was a distinguished quarters of an hour. One of of the need to dull the pain of severe warrior who also had a reputation as a peacemaker. After the headaches caused by an earlier fall from war of 1845-47 he was granted 110 acres of land on the North those sitting on the coffin was Shore of Auckland by Governor Grey. Patuone died at the age of a mast on HMS Victory. He formed 112 in 1872. He is buried in the graveyard at the foot of Mount the condemned man. Victoria (Takarunga) Devonport. His grave is enclosed by an 1 Ships in the stream: ships sitting out in the main channel. iron fence and boasts a plaque honouring him, paid for by the 2 Pinnace: ship’s tender. government of the day. ADA0052 ABOVE: Raupo huts at Maori regatta, Devonport 1898. LEFT: A plaque on Devonport’s King Edward Parade marks the site of New Zealand’s first public execution of a European.

2828 T Thehe W Whitehite E Ensignnsign w winterinter 09 09 The White Ensign winter 09 29 pacolstu amsn p hrologead ue HMNZS irirangi

Joseph Burns said he fell from the S YA0011 west corner of Mays Street where it joins mast of the HMS VICTORY resulting King Edward Parade in Devonport. His in a head injury, the pain, he claimed Memorial service at Irirangi could only be relieved by heavy body was buried in the grounds of the drinking. The mast on the VICTORY Auckland Gaol (jail) but was exhumed 50 years ago a fire at Irirangi claimed the lives of two was 36 metres high, a long way to fall when Auckland Gaol became a public and survive. The Navy Museum holds sailors. Commander Tony Chadwick (Retired) recalls the several artifacts from HMS VICTORY. market place in 1866 and his remains These include copper sheathing were ‘deposited in a remote and unused fateful night: from the hull as shown here with two spot in Symonds Street cemetery.’ n copper nails still in place. The hulls of wooden ships were sheathed with “The Saturday of the fire was very cold and we had had snow for several days copper to prevent damage to the RUSS GLACKIN previously. Power to the water pump had failed so there was a severe lack of fresh timber by the Teredo worm. 3,923 water in the morning. Radio Electrical Mechanic (REM) Wardle had posted in on the copper sheets (122cm x 61cm) were REFERENCES train the night before, with REM Grupen a few days earlier. used to cover Victory’s hull. Page, Kirk, A Tangled Web, Auckland: Hodder and Stoughton, 1982. There was a party in the Irirangi Housing area on the Saturday night, many of Snow, his wife Hannah and two daughters Initially the local Maoris were blamed, Arthur in for the remainder of Mogford, Janice C, ‘Joseph Burns 1805/6?- the Ship’s Company (including Duty Watch) attended. There was also a big night in aged 8 and 6 moved to Auckland. there was a local kainga5 at Torpedo Bay his natural life. While still imprisoned in 1848’, The Dictionary of New Zealand the wet canteen. After the canteen closed several people attended a card school in In 1841 Snow was appointed to take (Haukapua) on the Devonport waterfront Auckland Burns, now deeply fearful that Biography Volume 1 1760-1869,W.H. Oliver (ed.), Wellington: Allen & Unwin, 1990, p 58. one of the comms cabins (I was there). charge of the Naval Magazine sited near and 22 men were immediately arrested Margaret Reardon would implicate him in Walsh, Tom (ed.), An Illustrated Story of We were all roused by the Duty Chief, Stores Chief Petty Officer Jeffries, and present-day Elizabeth House on King from this village. Inflammatory reports the Snow murders during his long absence Devonport and the Old North Shore from rushed to the fire, grabbing what appliances we could. There wasn’t much there Edward Parade, Devonport and also the published in the leading newspaper of in Australia, attempted to coerce her into 1841 to 1924, Devonport: Devonport Library Associates, 1974. and I recall trying to direct a CO2 extinguisher through one of the windows. It Navy Stores Depot, an integral part of the the day, the New Zealander, cataloguing supporting a false confession in which he was far too hot so I threw the extinguisher in and backed off. The Officer of the burgeoning Naval Base that was growing the disagreements that Snow had had implicated Thomas Duder, the signalman Day, Lt Robbie Burns, arrived and took charge of the fire pump which had been on the Sandspit. He was appointed as with the Maoris over the years (some of and William Oliver in the crime. Both man-handled there from the QuarterMaster’s lobby. It was quite difficult to start, the first signalman on Mt. Victoria in which had involved violence), served only were his former shipmates from HMS despite the loving care of our firemasterP etty Officer Marine (Engineer) John Ponter February 1842, a position he held for to strain relations between the settlers and Buffalo and close neighbours of the (who was away that weekend). Eventually we managed to put the fire out before only a few months, and also the Navy’s the Maoris. Snow family. Her collusion resulted in the brigade arrived from Waiouru. It was when they arrived that we learned two pension pay officer. Snow and his family But after extensive inquiries among Duder and Oliver’s arrest for the Snow persons were dead. Up to that point there was a certain amount of hilarity among were murdered by Burns for the £12 of the arrested Maoris by Maori Chiefs murders. Margaret Reardon then withdrew the troops – we thought we might get a new camp out of it. A great gloom fell over naval pay Snow kept in his raupo house4 from the Waikato, they were released her support for Burn’s testimony and the camp. After the fire was out we were mustered in theY MCA, the bedding store near the Naval Magazine at Flagstaff, for lack of evidence. During this time he retracted his accusations. Duder and was raided, and all occupants of the Wrennery were directed to spend the night on today called Devonport. Burns departed for Australia on the naval Oliver were exonerated and Burns was the floor, with hundreds of blankets and pillows.” steamer Inflexible. charged with the Snow murders and found Escape to Australia Burns returned a month later to guilty after Margaret Reardon admitted REM A H Wardle and REM F W Grupen remembered The grisly murder of the Snow family was convince Margaret Reardon to marry perjury and recounted the true sequence one of New Zealand’s first mass murders. him so she could not be compelled to of events. On Saturday the 23rd May 2009 the Wardle Family and The bodies were badly mutilated before give evidence against him. When she NCFI staff held a memorial service for REM 2nd Class being incinerated when their house was refused he savagely attacked her with a Burns Found Guilty Albert Henry Wardle and REM 1st Class Frederick burnt to the ground. The only survivor was razor and tried to cut her throat, before Joseph Burns was found guilty of the wilful William Grupen, the two personnel who passed away the eldest daughter who was staying with he attempted suicide. This resulted in his murder of the Snow family and made a in the accommodation fire at HMNZS IRIRANGI 50 family friends in Auckland at the time. conviction for grievous bodily harm and full confession of his crime. His mistress years ago. Saturday the 23rd May was a cold and

4 Raupo House: Raupo is a marsh weed common in New Zealand he was sentenced to transportation to Port Margaret Reardon was implicated by his dreary day fitting for the memorial service. (bulrush) and provided cheap cladding for early settlers’ homes. confession resulting in her conviction The memorial service had been requested by Raupo house fires were common. 5 Kainga: Maori village for perjury on Friday, 22 September, Albert’s brother, Ralph, who had also served in the 1848. She was sentenced to seven years RNZN and was at sea at the time of the incident. transportation to Port Arthur. For Burns Attended by family, friends, local RSA members there was little chance that his death and NCF Irirangi staff the service was officiated by sentence would be commuted on grounds Chaplain Rewai Te Kahu (NZA, Waiouru) and Chaplain of insanity as the colonial justice system Bob Peters (RNZVR). The families were presented had to uphold the rule of law, justice had with Lt Cdr Davies book on Irirangi, “Morse Code to be the same for Maori and European. and Snowflakes.” Maketu had been hanged for murder, the only man to hang in New Zealand prior Lest we Forget. T

to Burns. GY0002 & 0003 Burns was publicly hanged before a large ACB 0052 crowd of settlers and Maoris at the site of his crime, reckoned today to be on the

RIGHT: Candlesticks said to have been cast from a damaged gun from HMS VICTORY.

LEFT: Oak Trinket Box made by Lieutenant R.S. Irirangi 1st hut Gibbs (RN), from the wood on the stern framing erected 1942 the middle deck of HMS VICTORY. c1973

GBJ 0004 30 The White Ensign winter 09 TThehe WWhitehite EEnsignnsign wwiinternter 0909 31 colDid uyomun khneoadw P N 03101 01 P N 66 03102 01

Did you know...? That women were not allowed to serve as sailors on board RNZN ships until 1986!

ABOVE: Dinah Lee and her secretary, sporting her “Mia Farrow” haircut, on board TARANAKI, October 1966 ABOVE and BELOW: Radio Australia’s announcer Margaret Wood in an “eye opener” gold suede dress and coat. BELOW: Commander P.R.H. Silk and Dinah Lee in the Captain’s Chair. HMNZS TARANAKI October 1966.

The Navy Museum’s archive collection holds rich commentary on Later on in October Taranaki hosted another woman on board... changes in naval culture. Prior to 1986 a woman on board ship P N 03101 01 P N 66 03097 was a welcome change as these two excerpts from the Report of 'Miss Margaret Wood, a young announcer with Radio Proceedings for the frigate HMNZS Taranaki for October 1966 Australia, who apparently played requests for the Ship's show. Company during the last commission, was entertained on board. She took lunch with the sailors, taped interviews and 'The ship was opened to visitors Saturday, 8th and Sunday posed for publicity photographs. Her gold suede dress was 9th October, to conform with the Ship, indeed an eye opener appreciated by all.' n Saturday being Navy Day. Miss Dinah Lee, the expatriate New Zealand pop singer, and her secretary were entertained on board Michael wynd by the Ship's Company and took lunch with the sailors. I was a little taken aback by Miss Lee's bell-bottomed trousered grey flannel suit and her secretary's "Mia Farrow" haircut. Both proved pleasant, sensible girls and all concerned enjoyed the visit.’

32 The White Ensign wiinter 09 TThehe WWhitehite EEnsignnsign wwiinternter 0909 33 lcolettersumn t hoe tadhe editor iinnfoforrmamattioionn

HMS New Zealand — Scharnhorst Secondary Armament My niece who for many years has worked I was interested in your item in the Autumn in "the Beehive" has handed me a copy of your 09 edition of The White Ensign, about the 4 inch autumn issue. As a short time "H O" rating from guns from HMS New Zealand. I am a TF gunner long ago I send this as a personal comment officer, and I am in the process of organising a both on its interesting content and attractive study day for later in the month, presentation. to mark gunners day (26 May). Having been born in Napier, the earthquake I had always understood that two of the account is of particular interest, and with guns from HMS New Zealand went to Battery which an added if vague personal connection. Point, in Lyttleton Harbour, as the examination In 1931, as a small boy accompanied by my battery. This link would seem to indicate that the parents and younger sister, we took passage Lyttleton guns were two of the Wellington guns: from Tilbury back to NZ in the RMS Ruahine. http://www.geocities.com/kelburn. On board was an RN draft of some twenty geo/4inchguns.html or thirty men posted as ships' company to The Battery Point guns (or one at least) Veronica and Laburnum. They were a very Shorty’s Pussers Lid achieved some notoriety for firing on and friendly and amusing group, taught me to play Donated by R.Mason sinking the fishing boat Dolphin. This incident chess and kitted me out in a sailor's rig, the is referred to in some detail in Peter Cooke’s blue serge cap from which still survives. The Defending New Zealand: Ramparts on the Sea tally long gone but the owner's name clearly 1840s-1950s. stamped in white inside the "pusser's lid" - A The guns were eventually replaced after WW2 Seaton - well recalled as "shorty" as befits its Six degrees of Hailing from Canada with 3.7” AA guns. The 4” guns were placed in small size! My sister and I often wonder which separation storage, and after a lengthy but inconclusive ship he joined and about his subsequent life A quick note to say how very much I enjoy correspondence between the resident gunner in receiving your outstandingly impressive and RN service. I want to tell you how interesting I found Christchurch, and the Army Department, were museum publication, The White Ensign. I've Would a record exist of the ships' company the White Ensign. The first article written by eventually dumped off Lyttleton Heads in the had the great pleasure of visiting your museum of those two vessels (sloops?) while on "NZ Thomas Seed brought back memories of nursing mid to late 1950’s. The correspondence is held by and, having served on the board of the Station”? Whatever the case (and perhaps at Wellington Hospital when I was asked by National Archives in Christchurch. Maritime Museum of British Columbia, I know your museum has an appropriate cap tally if my friend Marjorie Fenwick from Napier (Tom One of the barrels was sliced into sections and just how very challenging it is to maintain and Seaton's ship can be identified?) your museum was originally from Napier also) to visit him in I have seen a barrel section about 10mm thick, would be welcome to the cap if of any use . advance the interests of a museum like yours. and an accompanying pamphlet detailing the Book Launch Seddon ward where he was recovering from TB. Keep up the great work. My late father David Nelson - born This was over 60 years ago. history of Battery Point and the guns. Invercargill 1890 - (1NZEF then RFC/RAF The other article I found of great interest at Fort Takapuna 1916/19) while long afterwards working in was the sinking of the Rangitane. There were Dr. James A. Boutilier C.M.Ruane Singapore ( including SSVF and became a Asia-Pacific Advisor, several midshipmen on board going to join the Christchurch n Sunday 20 June in the former Officers’ Mess on the Fort Takapuna POW in Changi) made a holiday voyage with Royal Navy and one of them was Peter Allen Department of National Defense Victoria, BC, my mother circa 1938/9 to Japan and back from South Auckland ( he was only 17) and he Canada. Historic Reserve Russ Glackin launched his latest work "In Defence of in a brand new fast German merchant cum was sent to join the P.O.W camp that my first Our Land: A Tour of New Zealand's Historic Forts", not with a bottle passenger ship Scharnhorst (not to be husband was in on the Polish border, Stalag Luft Compulsory Military Training & O of Champagne, but, more appropriately, with some mulled wine and an confused with the German battleship!) She III from where the “Great Escape” was made. HMS New Zealand’s Guns was I think North German Lloyd/Norddeusche Peter and my husband were good friends. There impressive array of snacks. It was a great friends and family affair with Russ Lloyd - which had run a regular Far Eastern were several New Zealand men in the part of the In reference to your article in the White Ensign being introduced by his daughter. Russ, with grandchildren around his feet, (mainly cargo) service for many years. War camp where Ray was, mostly RAF men. He was in of the 4 inch guns from HMS NEW ZEALAND. Two who were hanging on his every word, chose to illustrate his introduction was imminent and among other interesting camp just over 4 years. He had been shot down of these guns were mounted at Battery Point with digital images of examples to whet the appetites of those who had not features, my father took note of the fact that over the Friesian Islands, on their way back Lyttleton, during WW2 and remained there after the ship had been specially strengthened in from bombing Essen. He rarely spoke about it to the war when it was manned by eleven Coast already bought a copy from Phoenix books strategically placed at the door. areas where heavy guns could be mounted. anyone and sadly he died aged 44 and my three Battery Territorials. It was a very appropriate location for the launch as Fort Takapuna is featured It was clear that she had been designed boys always wanted to know, but there was little I also trained Compulsory Military Training 18 on the cover, and, not surprisingly, in the main body of the book. The hardier as a potential "raider". But of the various I could tell them. year olds on these guns in the 1950s and early accounts I have read over the years , and the souls at the launch were then able to tour Fort Takapuna and emerge from The other article was about the Samoan Captain David Boyle – 1960. I made a point of telling them that the 4 topic refreshed by Rangitane's sinking , no Expeditionary Force. My Dad and his brother inch guns came from HMS New Zealand. underground just as the sun was setting, the temperature dropping, and Russ mention to be found of a raider previously Dominus Providebit went to Samoa with this group and on return to loading the glasses into his car. It was a good launch and all present wish the Scharnhorst or any inkling of that ship's New Zealand went off to Gallipoli, where he was ultimate wartime fate. Any light thrown on wounded on the beach and was shipped back to I have today received the latest issue of The G.C. Forrester book, published beautifully by Penguin, every success. n this would be very much valued. My father also New Zealand on the hospital ship Maunganui - White Ensign and was particularly interested in became acquainted on board with a fellow he was lucky! the article on Captain A.D. Boyle, whom I met as a child: my maternal grandfather was his farm Mike Pritchard passenger who proved to have been Krupps’ He and a few other Returned servicemen from Taranaki Life Buoy rep in Japan for the previous fourteen years. It Wellington met in the Alhambra Hotel as they manager for many years and my mother also Michael Pritchard is Chair of The Tamaki Reserve Protection Trust and works with DOC and also proved that they had opponents in the air were concerned that some of the men who had worked for him until she married. I have just finished reading the latest issue pupils from Takapuna Grammar School on the restoration of elements of Fort Takapuna. on the same sector of the Western Front in 1917 returned and were now civilians were being In the article he is referred to as 'Alexander of the journal and note the query regarding the - which much thawed the conversation - but handed white feathers, this was rife as Britain Boyle'. It might be worth noting that he was in Taranaki life buoy (page 31). There are at least that is another story! was pressing Australia and NZ to send more fact always known by his middle name, David. In Defence of Our Land – two other possible sources for this item. and more troops for the battle being waged in The double-headed eagle crest and the A Tour of New Zealand’s Firstly there is the armed trawler Taranaki France. So they decided on an armband with motto Dominus providebit (the Lord will R Mason which, acting in concert with the submarine C24, Historic Harbour Forts, the military insignia on it and also Returned provide) engraved on his cigarette case are Nelson sank the U-Boat U40 off Aberdeen on 23 June by Russell Glackin. Serviceman. This was the beginning of the those of his paternal grandfather, also David A/B RNZNVR NZ10420 (1944-46) 1915. Penguin Books, RSA in 1916. They also petitioned well known Boyle, 7th Earl of Glasgow, Governor of New Secondly (and more likely) there is the Shaw businessmen in Wellington to put up money to Zealand 1892-1897. ISBN9780143011866, Savill and Albion motor-vessel Taranaki built in Editor’s Comment: rent a large house on the Terrace in Wellington Sir Bernard Fergusson, Governor-General $40 1928. I note from the article on the 1931 Hawkes Thank you for your letters, other readers may where some of the returned servicemen could 1962-1967, was Captain Boyle's first cousin. Bay Earthquake that this ship was berthed at identify with your recollections. Michael Wynd, live. Gregor Macaulay Napier on 3 February 1931. Avaliable from the the navy Museum’s Researcher, is following up Navy Museum Shop. Jean Prins Calendar Editor and Regulations Adviser these intriguing requests. Shorty’s “pusser’s lid” Admissions, Enrolment and Information Centre Murray Dear www.navymuseum.mil.nz has been received and is photographed here. Remuera, auckland University of Otago Hamilton

34 The White Ensign wiinter 09 TThehe WWhitehite EEnsignnsign wwiinternter 0909 35