MR CHURCHILL’S TRIBUTE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26651, 9 February 1952, Page 7

MR CHURCHILL’S TRIBUTE

“Death Came As A Friend” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. The Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) paid a tribute to-night to King George VI as “a model and guide to constitutional sovereigns throughout the world to-day and also to future generations.” Mr Churchill’s eulogy was broadcast to the world. He hinted that the ailing King had a premonition that death was near, saying: “During these last months the King walked with death, as if death were a companion and an acquaintance whom he recognised and did not fear. In the end death came as a friend, and after a happy day of sunshine and sport, after ‘goodnight’ to those who loved him best, he fell asleep, as every man or woman who strives to fear God and nothing else, may hope to do. “The nearer one stood to him, the more these facts were apparent, but newspapers and photographers of modern times have made vast numbers of his subjects able to watch with emotion the last months of his pilgrimage. We all saw him approach his journey’s end.”

Mr Churchill recalled that as Prime Minister he saw the King more than any other Government official during the blitz days of London.

Then he revealed this secret: “On one of the days when Buckingham Palace was bombed the King had just returned from Windsor. The opposite side of the courtyard was struck and if the windows out of which he and the Queen were looking had not been, by the mercy of God, open, they would have both been blinded by broken glass, instead of being only thrown back by the explosion. “Amid all that was then going on. although I saw the King so often, 1 never heard of this episode till some time after. Their Majesties never mentioned it, or thought it of more significance than-the soldier in their armies would of a shell bursting near him." Mr Churchill began his broadcast by saying: “My friends, when the death of the King was announced to us yesterday morning, there struck a deep and solemn note in our lives which has resounded far and wide, stilled the clatter of the traffic of twentieth century life in many lands, and made countless millions of human beings pause and look around them. “A new sense of values for the time being took possession of human minds and mortal existence presented itself to so many at the same moment in its serenity and its sorrow, in its splendour and in its fortitude, and in its suffering.” Man and Prince “The King was greatly loved by all his peoples. He was respected as a man and a Prince far beyond the many realms over which ‘he reigned. The simple dignity of his life, his manly virtues, his sense of duty—alike as the ruler and servant of vast spheres and communities for which he bore responsibility—his gay charm, his happy nature. his example as a husband and father in his own family circles, his courage in peace or war—all these were aspects of his character which won a glint of admiration now here, now there, from the innumerable eyes whose gaze falls upon the Throne. “We thought of him as the young naval lieutenant in 4 the great battle of Jutland. We thought of him when calmly, without ambition or want of self-confidence, he succeeded his brother whom he loved, and to whom he had rendered perfect loyalty, and thus assumed his heavy burden. "We thought of him so faithful in his study and the discharge of State affairs, so strong in devotion to the enduring honour of our country, so self-restrained in his judgments of men and affairs, so uplifted above the clash of party politics, yet so attentive to them, so wise and shrewd in judging between what matters and what does not.

"All this we saw and admired. His conduct on the Throne may be a model and guide to constitutional sovereigns throughout the world to-day, and also in future generations. “The last few months of King George's life with all the pangs and physical stresses he endured—his life hanging by a thread from day to day —and he all the time cheerful and undaunted—stricken in body but quite undisturbed and even unaffected in spirit—have made a profound and enduring impression and should be a help to all.” “United Family” "There is another tie between King j George and his people. It was not only his sorrow and affliction that they shared. Dear to the hearts and homes of the people is the joy'and pride of a united family. With this, all the troubles of the world can be borne and all its ordeals at least confronted. No family in these tumultuous times was happier or loved one another more than the Royal Family around the King. "No Minister saw so much of the King during the war as I did. I made certain he was kept informed of every secret matter and the care and thoroughness with which he mastered the immense daily flow of State papers made a deep mark on my mind. “This seems to me to be a revealing trait in the Royal character. There is no doubt that of all the institutions which have grown up among us over centuries, or sprung into being in our lifetime, constitutional monarchy is the

most deeply founded and dearly cherished by the whole association of our peoples. “In the present generation it has acquired a meaning incomparably more powerful than anyone had dreamed possible in former times. The Crown has become a mysterious link, indeed I may say a magical link, which unites our loosely-bound but stronglyinterwoven Commonwealth of national States and races. "How vital it is not only to the future of the British Commonwealth and Empire but, I believe, also to the cause of world freedom and peace which we serve, that the occupant of the Throne should be equal to the august, indefinable responsibilities which this supreme office requires. “For 15 years King George VI was King. Never at any moment in all perplexities did he fail in his duties. “Well does he deserve the farewell salute of all his governments and peoples. “It is at this time our compassion and sympathy go out to his consort and widow. Their marriage was a love match with no idea of regal pomp or splendour. Indeed, there seemed to be before them only an arduous life. Royal personages are denied so many activities of ordinary folk and have to give so much in ceremonial public service.” Sympathy With Queen Mother “May I say—speaking with all freedom —that our hearts go out to-night to that valiant woman with the famous blood of Scotland in her veins who sustained King George through all his toils and problems and brought up with their charm and beauty the two daughters who mourn their father to-day. May she be granted strength to bear her sorrow. “To Queen Mary, his mother, another son is dead—the Duke of Kent having been killed on active service. There belongs the consolation of seeing how well the King did his duty and fulfilled her hopes, and of knowing how much he cared for her. "Now 1 must leave the treasures of the past and turn to the future. Famous have been the reigns of our Queens. Some of the greatest periods of our history have unfolded under their sceptre. “Now that we have a second Queen Elizabeth, also ascending the Throne in her twenty-sixth year, our thoughts are carried back nearly 400 years to the ntagnificent figure who presided over, and in many ways embodied and inspired, the grandeur and genius of the Elizabethan Age, “Queen Elizabeth 11, like her predecessor, did not pass her childhood in any certain expectation of the Crown but already we know .her well and we understand why her gifts, and those of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. have stirred the only part of our Commonwealth she has yet been able to visit.

“She has already been acclaimed Queen of Canada. We make our claim and others will come forward, too, and to-morrow the proclamation of her sovereignty will command the loyalty of her native land and all other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire. “I. whose youth was passed in the august, unchallenged and tranquil glories of the Victorian era. may well feel the thrill of invoking once more the prayer and anthem ‘God Save the Queen’.”