Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8171353

Tags (Keywords)

Add New Tags

Comments

No comments yet.

Add New Comment

No corrections yet

300,000 GREET MEN OF H.M.A.S. SYDNEY

STIRRING SCENES IN

STREET MARCH

GREAT CELEBRATION ENDS

SYDNEY, Tuesday.-The most extraordinary mass demonstra-

tion seen in any city in Australia since the war began fol- lowed the march of the men of H.M.A.S. Sydney through the city streets to-day. Crowds estimated at more than 300,000 tightly packed every street along the march.

After a great demonstration in the Town Hall to-night, when

a public civic reception was given, the two-day period of celebration of the ship's arrival ended, and wartime secrecy of the ship's movements will prevail.

Showers of confetti were tossed from every city building, and thousands of streamers provided a brilliant curtain, through which the white-uniformed sailors in their city march this morning had almost to hack their way.

At one time the entire column was held up while its leader. Captain J. A. Collins disentangled himself from a mass of streamers. Some of his officers were obliged to assist him to free his legs from the multi-coloured tangle.

Masses of streamers were blown ncross overhead tram wires, and special gangs had to clear them before trains could resume. More than 350 police struggled [good naturedly to keep in order a crowd

almost delirious with excitement.

I As the sailors led by the ship's band swung along in perfect step, wearing neat white uniforms but not carrying arms, waves of hand-clapping and cheer- ing followed them. After the men had passed police made vain attempts to keep the crowd back, but nothing could stop the eager tens of thousands who broke through the barricades and followed the sailors until every street along the Toute Was Jammed from shop-front to shop

front.

The enthusiasm of the crowd was made greater by the thousands of school chil- dren who had been given a public holiday and who hod flocked to every vantage point by 9.30 a.m.

Captain Collins, marching at the head of his men, with his white cap cocked at a jaunty angle, and with his lips twitch- ing into a smile occasionally, must have been, and certainly looked, the proudest

man in the world.

There was only one break in the con- stant roar of welcome that accompanied the Sydney's company all the way from Man o' War Steps to the Town Hall. That was at the Cenotaph In Martin place, where there was o strange silence as the men of the Sydney saluted as they marched past,

MEN EAT HEARTY LUNCH

The climax of the march came at the Town Hall, where a large mass of people cheered frantically. Then, to the tune of "Rule Britannia," the men marched into the Town Hall for lunch after Cap- tain Collins had thanked the crowd for its overwhelming welcome and added that his men were glad to be back, and In due course would be glad to get on with the Job again.

At lunch the men proved as efficient at the table as they had been in battle. In 35 minutes 400 men put away 100 chickens, 12 turkeys, six hams, 240 pints of soup, 561b. of butter, 600 bread rolls, 1,000 pieces of fruit, 280 canteloupcs, a mountain of ice-cream, and 1,200 pints of

beer.

MEDALLIONS PRESENTED

Every member of the Sydney's company was presented officially with a small medallion, an exact replica of the victory plaque which will be mounted on the quarter-deck gun turret of the cruiser.

When the plaque «A-as unveiled by Alderman Crick. Lord Mayor, Captain J. A. Collins, of the Sydney, said that the cruiser might pass, but the plaque would go on. If the Sydney went Into the hands of the shlpbreakers. the bronze plaque commemorating the victory over the Bartolomco Colleonl would be

mounted on the next S}dncy, and the next when she passed on

The plaque was unveiled m the presence of the full ship's company of 620 men Each man then received his medallion engraved with his name and official number A rose bowl and silver tankards were also presented to the ship by the City of S}dney

Tens of thousands of school children at State schools throughout New South Wales recehed a plcisant surprise this morning when they were assembled and addressed by head masters on the gallant exploits of HMAS S}dney and then told that Uley had been given a public holiday to commemorate the ships re-

turn

Manv examples of public gei crosity have occurred Men from other States are being entertained, many hotels are refusing to accept payment, and trans- port is free everywhere

FREE PETROL FOR TRIPS

One of the most generous gestures has been made by a garage proprietor of Maroubra, Mr C Bodekci, of the Bodekcr service station He said }estcrday "I'll give a full tank of petrol to any motorist who will take sailors from the Sydney for a day's outing There is no limit to the amount I'll give away, and there will be no charge My brother is my partner in the business, and he is w ith the AIF in Egypt If it weren't for these boys and others like them I wouldn't have a business at all '

CAPTAIN TELLS OF EXPLOITS

In typically breezy style, Captain Col- lins gaie a first-hand narrative of the exploits of the Sydney at a civ le reception at the Town Hall to-night He said that from all the telegrams and messages he had received he had selected one which he thought was a highlight It come from an Inverell schoolbo}, and read "Con- gratulations, bonzer holiday, please sink another enemy ship "

Captain Collins revealed that actuall} there had been some casualties in the S}dneys crew These amounted to only four men during the whole time of her service in the Mediterranean, in which 60 bombing attacks were made, as well as during engagements and bombard- ments with the enemy The foui men were lilt by splinters Two of them had had serious and painful operations as a

result *

'On occasions the Italian warships showed remarkable fighting qualities" Captain Collins said ' The Italian High Command seems to be obsessed with the idea of preserving ships, but at the same time we saw Instances of great bravery by the Italians Among examples of Italians who did not scurry for port when they sighted British ships was the de- stroyer Espero, which put up a fight against really hopeless odds This chap was game We were drawing In toward her as she dropped back almost helpless When we were about 4,000 yards from her I was just about to lower a boat when she opened fire and sent two torpedoes at us Then she fought with the only gun that was not disabled It was a brave thing, for she had no hope I stayed as long as I dared, picking up survivors and|

then I left a cuttei floating for any we might have missed

Zoom

plus
thumb
minus
left
thumb
right
up
thumb
down