battle-of-the-river-plate-commemorative-booklet

BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE ◊ 37ACHILLES welcome home paradeACHILLES arriving into Auckland, 23 September 1940ACHILLES welcome home ceremony in AucklandACHILLES crew on arrival in AucklandACHILLES civic mealOn reaching the Town Hall the ship’s company was surrounded by yet more members of the public. speeches from Auckland’smayor sir ernest Davis and the deputy prime Minister peter fraser were enthusiastically received by the crowd and when captainparry prepared to speak he had to wait while the crowd serenaded him with “for he’s a jolly good fellow”. The National Anthem wassung and the crew moved into the Town Hall for a civic function. Their families lunched next door in the concert chamber.The lunch was not a stuffy affair as the orchestra played new and old war tunes throughout accompanied by singing from thesailors. But in a more solemn moment captain parry received a gift from Mr Tai Marshall on behalf of local Maori – a beautiful Kiwikorowai (cloak). In addition the Mayor presented a laurel wreath on behalf of the people of Auckland and this was later hung on thefore bridge of AcHILLes.The crew were granted shore leave for several days. Later when she travelled to Wellington, christchurch and Dunedin the crewwere also received as national heroes.Above: Welcome home boardACHILLES River Plate Veterans Association