MEMORIAL TO KING

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26855, 7 October 1952, Page 7

MEMORIAL TO KING

First Donation Of £50,000 (Spuctal Correspondent NZ.P.A.) (Rec. 11 p.m.l LONDON, October 8. The first big contribution to the King George VI national memorial fund launched by Mr Churchill in a broadcast on Saturday came from the Cunard Steamship Company. It amounts to £50.000. Accompanying it was a letter which said: “Our staffs ashore and afloat will always remember the graciousness of the late King s presence." The chairman ot the national council ot Royal Air Force Associations announced that the council would five a lead to its 800 branches by contributing £250 as its first subscription, and the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth telephoned the Lord Mayor ot London saying that his city intended contributing £lOOO "in memory ot the sailor King," Mr Churchill has sent to the Lord Mayor a letter and enclosure he received from an ‘ American soldier stationed in Frankfurt, sent at the time Of the King’s death It said: ’’l know full well that at this time you must be more than full of the sorrow that J too feel at the death of Hia Majesty. However, as one who has enjoyed the hospitality of England and Its people, I wish to express in some small way my gratitude. Therefore am I too presumptuous in enclosing a 10dollar note perhaps to form the nucleus of a fund that will, although unnecessary, be a perpetual memorial to a more than beloved King?" Queen Hears Broadcast An early donation also reaehed the fund from a resident in Charlottesville,. Virginia, United States. Thirty Bank of England clerks will be employed at the Mansion House in sorting the offers and letter, expected in answer to the appeal for the memorial, whibh will take two forms—a statue in London and a permanent foundation called after the King for the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of young and ol<|. . The Queen Tieard the Prime Minister s broadcast in the drawing-room at Balmoral Castle with the Duke of Edinburgh and princess Margaret. The Queen Mother listened at Birkhatl, on the Royal estate, a few miles Irom the castle. Messages have been sent to the radio rooms of ships of the British merchant service in port and at sea throughout the world acquainting the masters of the appeal ana asking them to convey »ts terms to the passengers ana crews.