HC Deb 04 June 1919 vol 116 c1980
6. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a. Memorandum was received by the Board of Admiralty from Admiral Cradock in regard to his instructions and force prior to the battle of Coronel; and, in view of the charges which have been made against his memory, whether the Board will publish this Memorandum?

Mr. LONG

No such Memorandum was received by the Board of Admiralty from Admiral Cradock. As regards my hon. and gallant Friend's reference to charges made against this most gallant officer's memory, I confess I have no knowledge of them, neither can I imagine that any person whose opinion was worth a moment's-consideration would think of doing other than speak in most grateful terms of the memory of a man whose reputation amongst the officers and men of the great Service to which he belonged, and indeed amongst his fellow countrymen as a whole, is one which any public servant might well envy.

Commander BELLAIRS

Was any protest received from Admiral Cradock in regard to the mission on which he was sent and the strength of the forces under his command?

Mr. LONG

I have seen all the communications and I do not think that the late Admiral Cradock did more than point out what were certain obvious difficulties, but there is nothing in the nature of what is suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.