ARTHUR HUNT : 25 December 1922 – 09 May 2011
Earlier this month the Navy marked the passing of Arthur Hunt, one of the last surviving veterans of the Battle of the River Plate. Commander Cathy Knight, the Resident Naval Officer in Nelson gave the Eulogy at his funeral.
“Whistles – clanging bells – shouted orders – and the clatter of hundreds of booted sailors rushing for their stations. The whole ship’s company moved with precision, and every man knew that this time it was for real … the day of the mock battle was over. My action station was in the forward magazine, and as I changed my boots for the felt slippers that reduced the danger of sparking cordite my feet clattered on the deck like a morse key. As the doors closed behind us we realised that if a hit did necessitate sectional flooding of the ship, we would drown behind the doors of the magazine … Yet real fear, like delayed concussion, did not hit many of us until after the action.”
Right: Arthur Hunt (right) with fellow Achilles crewmember Bob Batt.
This was how Seaman Boy Arthur Hunt recalled the tension of going into action aboard HMNZS Achilles against the German pocket battle ship, Admiral Graf Spee, on 13 December 1939. He was only 16 years old, not turning 17 until 12 days later, on Christmas Day.
Arthur enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy on 18 May 1938 and served until 17 October 1954, with a small gap in his service from January 1951 when he was discharged to the Reserve Fleet, to when he re-enlisted on 20 October 1952. For his war service he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star, the Pacific Star with the “Burma” Clasp, the 1939-45 War Medal, and the New Zealand War Service Medal.
I was privileged to meet Arthur on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of River Plate, shortly after he had returned from the celebrations in Wellington and Auckland. Like many of his generation, he did not have much to say about his war experiences. He downplayed his role in events that changed history. His eyes did light up, however, when recalling the good times and camaraderie that he experienced as a member of the Royal New Zealand Navy. And even some of the bad times became good times when the stories were told and re-told 70 years later.
Arthur was able to visit HMNZS Pukaki when the ship was here at Anzac weekend in 2010. Although he could not get up to the bridge (he was not convinced that a fireman’s lift would be the way to go!) he very much enjoyed his visit, looking at the modern technology and accommodation (palatial when compared to that of 70 years ago) and talking to the ship’s officers and crew. 
As we have heard, Arthur liked nothing better than to be down at the port watching what was going on, and he was in the front row to farewell the team of young people from TS Talisman that sailed a yacht to New Caledonia last year.
Left: HMS ACHILLES
On behalf of Rear Admiral Tony Parr, Chief of Navy, and all the men and women of the Royal New Zealand Navy, I extend sincere condolences to Arthur's family, and thank you Arthur for your contribution to our country. Without men like you Arthur we would not have the Navy we do today, and for that we are truly grateful.
Arthur you have well earned your place at rest. May you always have calm seas and a following wind. Rest in peace.