Newcastle Daily Chronicle 19/05/1916

Brave Men honoured at South Shields
There was an interesting gathering in the Mayor's Parlous at the South Shields Municipal Building yesterday, when the Mayor (Alderman John Taylor) received a visit from Captain. G. Mastin, master of the London steamer, Wandle, Pte H.H. Robson, V.C. and Pte. R.M. Laverick, D.C.M.

Captain Mastin, who was accompanied by his wife and the officersof the Wandle, which recently succeeded in driving off a German submarine after a gallent fight in the North Sea, was cordially congratulated by the Mayor, who, in proposing the health of the captain, officers and crew of the Wandle, referred to the splendid manner in which they had acquitted themselves in the face of the great danger. They had worthily upheld the best traditions of the mercantile marine, and the whole countrywas proud o their achievement.

Captain Mastin, in reply, thanked the Mayor for his kind words. He said that he was proud of every member of the crew, from the messroom boy to the chief officer. All he could say was that they did nothing more than that which was expected of them in the circumstances.

Captain Mastin then extended a cordial welcome to the Mayor and Mayoress to visit the Wandle.

Pte. Laverick, who visited the Mayor simultaneously with Captain Mastin and Pte. Robson, V.C. was recently awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous bravery at the front. At a critical time he mounted the parapet of the trench and held up an attack, throwing no fewer than 563 bombs. He is the son of a Harton Miner and, prior to the outbreak of the war, worked at Harton Colliery.