TALK WITH KINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 22, 27 January 1936, Page 5

TALK WITH KINGS.

INFORMAL GLIMPSES. "A YOUNG SUBALTERN." I A "DIGGER" LOOKS BACK. (By L.8.1.). The late King George V. still is being spoken about everywhere in New Zealand, but, of all those who speak, the best to listen to are the plain "diggers" who, at various localities, in all kinds j of situations made contacts with his late j Majesty, as also _with King Edward I j Vm., during their years in France or j about the military hospitals in England. | I overheard an ex-soldier talking in a tavern in Wellington on Saturday, and purposely "listened-in." "The King! It is hard to realise that j he has really gone," said the "digger." "Of all the things one felt when one met j him, the strongest feeling was that he j was a gentleman with a keen sense of duty. King George was rolled on by his horse in France when a shell exploded quite near and the concussion frightened the horse on which he was mounted. He was taken across the Channel in a hospital ship which, next voyage, was sunk by the Germans! I met King George twice. He was a fine character. He could chat naturally and sincerely." "How did he begin his impromptu talks with people? What did he say?" the "digger" was asked. Quiet and Natural. "He was quiet and natural. He would open up by passing a simple comment 1 such as, for instance, 'Well, how do you ' feel to-day?' I am speaking, of course, 1 of the contact he made with wounded ! soldiers. 'How do you feel?' he would say. He had a deep, rich voice that 1 seemed to thrill one. 'Very well, thank you, Your Majesty,' I replied when he asked me that question. "Where were you wounded —I don't mean where on your body —I can see that; I mean on which front?' 'At Gallipoli, at Courier tj's Post,' I answered. '!£ must have ;

been a hot one,' His Majesty said with a smile. His smile was full of fellowship. "Well, I hope you are soon very well and active again/ ho said, and he passed along the line. "The next time I met him was as one of a dozen or so wounded New Zealanders at St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, where we were Tiaving a look round. We had strolled through the highly-polished hall up the carpeted aisle leading to the throne, and were turning at right angles to the left to proceed out of the hall when a scarletclad footman strode up to us, stood at attention, and, addressing us, said, 'His Majesty requests that you return down the main aisle towards the throne.' "We therefore continued on our way and re-entered St. George's Hall. Standing by the throne with Her Majesty the ! Queen stood the late King George V. iWe immediately formed in double file i and marched very formally towards the I throne the way we had gone before. IWe were quite near Their Majesties ! when the late King said in a_ clear, loud and informal voice: 'This is not a parade, boys! Don't march —just walk at ease. I want to see you.' We there- | fore walked at ease. The King was I very interested in us and we heard him I commenting from time to time to the I Queen. His Father's Picture. "I can tell you another tale —a true story of the Western Front. A Tommy soldier received a wound in the shoulder —a Blighty wound. He was not critically hurt, and was sent to walk a mile and a a half to the dressing station. On his way along the road he was very surprised when a high-powered car pulled up abreast of him as he ambled slowly towards his goal. In the car were a major and a young subaltern. Still more surprised was the Tommy when he was invited to have a ride. He sat next to the young subaltern. Now, a wound sometimes has an effect similar to drunkenness, and wounded men become talkative and confidential. The Tommy said he was going back to Blighty. He was going to see his father. He fished out of his pocket a dirty picture of his 'dad' and showed it to the subaltern. The young subaltern did not snub the Tommy, but peered at the picture. The Tommy asked him if he would like to ■keep the picture. 'Thank you,' said the subaltern, putting the picture in his pocket.

"Just as the destination was reached and the Tommy was about to leave the car, the young subaltern asked the Tommy if he would like a picture of his father. The Tommy said he would. The young subaltern thereupon put his hand in his pocket, produced a golden disc, which he laid in his hand. The Tommy gazed and saw there shining in gold on a sovereign the profile of His Majesty King George V. "That," said the "digger," "was typical of the new King."