AMERICAN CORPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 11, 23 October 1937, Page 5

AMERICAN CORPS.

KING GEORGE VI. A MEMBER. King George VI. was admitted into honorary membership in the Ancient and Honourable Artillery Company of Massachusetts recently following ceremonies which marked the close of a series of celebrations commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of the founding of the parent organisation—the British Honourable Artillery Company—during the reign of Henry VIII, says a London message to the “New York Times.” The American company dates from 1638 when a group of planters in America who had been members of the English .regiment formed a company on tho same lines. Already a captain-general of the British company, which is one of the oldest and most exclusive regiments in England, the King inspected and reviewed its various units on July 19 for tho first time since Ins accession. Immediately afterwards a certificate of membership in the American .regiment wa9 presented to him by Colonel Henry B. Mormerais, its adjutant. Despite leaden skies which gave forth an occasional sprinkle of rain, a large crowd of British and American guests, many wearing formal dress, welcomed the King. Wealing the uniform of the Grenadier Guards, the Sovereign inspected the various units drawn up on parade grounds adjoining the company’s Armoury House, which dates from William and Mary. When this was complete he watched while 800 members of the regiment passed in review.

Later the King signed “the great vellum book,” or muster roll, of the regiment, in which are written the names of many other British inonarchs since the time of James I. Smilingly the King sat to be photographed with members of the American company. Then, chatting briefly with them, he left the grounds amid the cheers of the assembled spectators.