THE KING AND HIS ARMY

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 7

THE KING AND HIS ARMY

INFORMAL TOUR OF THE FRONT

A MEETING WITH THE ANZACS

LONDON, 15th August. Mr. Philip Gibbs writes : The King has visited all parts of the front. All the traffic and turmoil oE war has surged about him, and an endless procession of the Empire's manhood has passed him on the roads, not in review order, but as men going to do the work of war. The King has taken certain risks, and has gone well within range of the enemy's guns, and stood among the wreckage and ruin of war, where the ground is a graveyard of gallant men. The King's presence in the danger zone stirred the troops greatly. ■ "The King and Sir Douglas Haig met President Poincare, General Joffre, and General Foch on Saturday, attended service among the troops on Sunday, and visited the King and Queen of the Belgians on Monday. The essential character of the regal visit was its informality and absence of ceremony. , His Majesty inspected the men's billets without an escort. The King passed one thousand of the Australians, who were assembled round their own headquarters, and they made a great demonstration of loyalty. The King, addressing Sir W. R. Birdwood, expressed his high appreciation of their magnificent work. A little- later, quite unexpectedly, there came down the road a large body of Anzacs from Pozieres in full kit, with all the dirt and dust' of battle upon them, whistling and singing. 'Hullo, boys !'• shouted an officer, 'here's the King.' They halted, flung off their hats, a-nd cheered tremendously. It was a fine, stirring scene, the better for its unexpectedness."