Commentary of the Naval parade on arrival of HMS Indefatigable
An unidentified commentator describes events as a parade marks the arrival of the aircraft carrier HMS Indefatigable in Wellington. A large crowd has turned out to welcome them and can be heard cheering in the background of the commentary. The men of HMS Indefatigable are parading down Bunny Street; first comes the official car carrying Vice-Admiral Sir Philip Vian, accompanied by Commodore Faulkner, chief of Naval staff; Capt. W J. Moffat, Capt. R. Newman, Capt. M. Taylor, Capt. MacIntyre of the Indefatigable, his Flag Lieutenant and his Staff. They join the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence on the saluting base. The Colour Party of the parade passes and salutes the Prime Minister and official party.
The parade starts to pass the commentator’s vantage point and a surge of cheering can be heard from the crowd.
The Colour Party is followed by the Parade Commander and the Colour Escort, consisting of a platoon each from HMS Wizard and HMS Urchin. The Royal Marines Band from HMS Indefatigable follows and can be heard playing amid cheering from the crowd. Colours were dipped as the parade went past the saluting base.
There is a pause in the commentary as the band goes past.
Bunting is flying on all of the buildings, representing the countries of the United Nations. The Royal Marines are the last section of the parade. As they go past, the crowd can be heard cheering and clapping loudly. The commentator describes the crowd. He says the men going past fought gallantly and Wellington’s welcome has done justice to New Zealand in their reception of them. On the saluting base, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence are chatting with Sir Philip Vian and other members of the defence force. It was a spectacular parade, which the citizens of Wellington will long remember. That concludes the broadcast, and the commentator says “We are crossing now back to the studio.”