THE DUKE OF YORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1927, Page 19

THE DUKE OF YORK

m^mS WORKER FOR THE EMPIRE HIBj iGAREER,, INTERESTS, AND PUBLIC WORK . ■ *. .- '. ■ . ■ ■ ' 'ViTheDuke of York has been called "the Industrial Prince," and •a, ■personal friend, writing of him recently observed: '-'Perhaps ; no. other 'title would be more to'his liking." ; This title the Duke has „ won; for himself by the keen and continuing interest he has taken ■-,'," ,in; Labour matters. He has an insatiable appetite for knowledge ■ concerning the conditions of industry and the workers. He pays . many private visits to factories, mines, mills, and all kinds of works, and enjoys discussing problems of work and wages with both employ- . / ers and workmen. ;

■'■ ffiEVH. Prince Albert Frederick Arthur; George, Duke of York, K.G., is thejsecond'son. of the King and Queen Mary,, arid-was born at York Cottage, Sandringhani, on 14th December, 1895. ,Hisyearly -education, like that of his ■brothers,;was superintended by Mr. H P. Hansel], /whose .Royal pupils early gave promise of developing thrse splen didlqualitiesof British manhood which distinguish ■ all the King's sons. Prince Albert i was destined for tho Eoyal Navy; and went through the usual train ing ; at; Osborne. At the outbreak of warihe was midshipman on board H.M.S Collingwood, and seryed .with distinc tion,' although twice incapacitated from duty.i by serious illness—a great trial to'one so -keen in all he undertakes. He •wasjpresent at the Battle of Jutland, and'was commended in dispatches by liOrd v Jellicoe. In 1917 he joined the battjeship'Malaya; but the Prince's health .made it impossible to continue a* sea;'consequently, ho joined the Eoyal Air.\Foice, in which he qualified as a pilot, and was promoted to the rank of Wing^Comman'der, and later to that of Group-Captain. At the close of the war he ;was'serving,on the staff of the In dependent Force, 8.A.F., in' France.'On Ist;. January, 1921, his appointment to the, rank of Commander B.N was understood 'to mark the official close of his 'naval career.

, After : .the Armistice the Prince, to gether with his brother, Prince Henry went into residence at Cambridge •where he entered enthusiastically into the work and social life of the Univer sity. • There was a time. when under graduate Princes lived somewhat aloof and'were .hedged about by -estrictions of. etiquette.' But Princes Albert and Henry .were of the new age; they took their-share in sports, and used to ride on,their bicycles to lecture, after the free-'aacl-easy manners, of ,their fellows Just before he went down in Juno 1920,' the Duke of York attended a dinner; given at Emmanuel College in connection with the'conferment of hon orary: degrees on the then Prime Mm ister, and Mr. Bonar .Law. Replying to a~toast, H.R.H. said,he was sorry that'that was almost his last evening as an undergraduate at Cambridge. He had'enjoyed' himself at the university and had benefited by the libpral educa tion-he had received' there. "On my qwnfaud my brother's behalf," he con tinued^'.'l, wish to;thank everyone with ivhoni -we havei conic in contact, from the .Vice-Chancellor . and masters and

tutors down to the proctor '3 bulldog who onco took six and eightpence out of me." MANY DUTIES. At Cambridge Princo Albert's choice ■of studies indicated his persona) inter ests., He took up history, economics, and civics, and he has since put his knowledge to the most practical use, for he has become a pioneer of Industrial and Civic Welfare. In every movement relating to social betterment he takes a leading hand, and he has proved himself a constructive thinker on these questions. Ho has paid many visits to the great centres of industry, such as Newcastle, Tyneside, and Sheffield, and has examined not only processes of manufacture and engineering, but the conditions in which the workers live. Nor have these visits boon mere ceromonial affairs. Very often, in order to obtain a closer and entirely unhampered view, the Prince has gone incognito to the factory, tho workshop, or he mine and he has frequently put his own hand to tho work. Not long ago he drove v railway engine in a stretch of line near London, and his handling of the loco motivo was commended by tho experts present. l

Of a freer intercourse between class and class Prince Albert is a warm advocate, lie believes that in the breaking down of artificial barriers lies a key to the solution of many industrial and social problems. In this ho has given a striking object-lesson. In tho summer of 1921 on his own initiative he organised a seaside camp to which ho invited 400 boys, half from the great public schools and half from working-class homes. Under the Prince's personal guidance the boys met in tho friendliest spirit, and the experiment proved so successful that H.R.H. repeated it last year. Prince Albert's public career began in earnest when, on 3rd June, 1920, he was created Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killarney. From that date onwards tho mere list of his public engagements is in itself formidable, to say nothing of the fatigue involved in carrying it out. The Duke of York' is as busy a man as the Prince of Wales, attending meetings and delivering speeches in connection with his social work. He attends (to take a few typical instances) tho Boxing Tournaments of tho London Boy Scouts. Ho has spoken at Marylebom on Municipal Life, and at the Con naught Rooms on the futuro of Aero nautics. Ho has visited the Laboui Exchange Centre at Cambridge. In

May, 1922, at the Boyal Academy banquet, lie made a memorable speech on Village Signs, which inaugurated a new movement to promote this form of popular art.- Later in. the same year, at York, he "took action in a kindred artistic cause, and spoke on the preservation of the stained glass windows of the Minster. He paid a visit to Newcastle, and identifies himself prominently with Welfare Work in Industry, on which he once spoke at the Grocers' Hall in London. In the work of the Industrial Welfare Society H.E.H. takes the warmest practical interest; he is not content to be a mere figurehead. SEAT AMONG THE LORDS. On 24th June, 1920, the Duke of York took his seat in the House of Lords. During the latter half of the same .year he spoke at Westminster on Industrial Welfare"; at the London School of Tropical Medicine on research in tropical disease; at York on Local Patriotism, and took an active part in the "Our Day" functions of the British Red Cross Society. He opened King George's Home and Institute Poplar, and the Jubilee Fair of Dr. Barnardo's Homes. He also unveiled the war memorial to London troops outside the Eoyal Exchange. This was an exceptional occasion, for H.E.H. had been so much sought after to unveil war memorials that he found himself unable to cope with the invitations. In February, 1921, the Duke jf York visited Brussels, where, on behalf of the King, he presented decorations to Burgomaster Max and the Prince de Oroy. The same month he was admitted to the United Chapter Bouge Croix

ed H.M. the King at the Coronation of King Ferdinand of Rumania. A week or so before he went to Rumania the Duke of York paid a visit to Glamis Castle, an event of which the bappy significance was not then so generously apparent as it is to-day. THE ROYAL ENGAGEMENT. During 1923 the Duke of York visited Glasgow, receiving the city's "Freedom.'' He also went to Edinburgh and many other places in. the North of England ana in Scotland. On 16th January, 1923, the first announcement was made of the Duke's engagement to the Lady Elizabeth Bowes-L'yon, daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, though it had previously been foreshadowed by a number of the leading newspapers. Everywhere the news was hailed with delight that the Duke had found his bride in one of Great Britain's most ancient noble families. "The Times" remarked of the Duke at the time: "He is to most people, whether they know him or not, just a young Englishman,, brought up like others of his kind, devoted like them to the manly sports and pursuits which help to make them what they are—what they showed themselves to be in the war—and in the more serious purpose and business of life, strenuously desirous to do his duty in that state of life to which it has pleased God to call him. His betrothed is a friend of his sister's, and much loved by all who know her." The "Morning Post" said:'"At the opening of his 28th year he gives the nation good- causn to see in him just the sort .of manly, unaffected, and good-hearted-English Prince whom they love —one by whom the bonds between Roy-

of Freemasons, and exalted in United Chapter. In March ho presided at the Conference on Industrial Welfare. Among tho notablo events of that year was tho Duke's election to the Jockey Club, which took placo on 30th Juno. On the same day ho was gazetted a Group-Captain of the R.A.P. With everything that concerns tho welfare and progress of aeronautics, both military and civil, His Royal Highness makes himself acquainted, and ho loses no chance of furthering tho good work, which he has described as a vital link of Empire. Tho Duke's visit to Sheffield in October, 1921, gave him another great opportunity of studying in dustrial questions at first hand. But ho is no "one-subject" man—overy form of activity claims his attention He is a Bencher of the Inner Temple, and President of the Royal . Agricul tural Society, to which he delivered his

first presidential address in July. At the close of the year he attended a meeting at the Queen's Hall to hear the Report of the Mount Everest Kxpedition.

The engagements of 1922 bear still further witness to the cathoficity of His Eoyal Highness's interests and pursuits. In February lie spoke in London on Mr. Balfour's mission to the Washington Conference and on the work of the Metropolitan Police Force. In March he opened *the research laboratories of tho British Cotton Industry Research Association at Didsbury. In April he undertook another ' important mission to a foreign Court, when he went to Belgrade to act as "Koom," or sponsor, at" the wedding of King Alexander of Serbia and Princess Marie. The same month ho spoke in London on trade revival and international peace. In May ho paid a visit to the General Post Office to study the working of that Department, and in June lie was present at the Air Force Pageant at Hendon. Very soon thereafter ho became president of the International Congress on Aernauties. In July Cambridge conferred the honorary degree of LL.D. upon tho Duke of York. In October His Eoyal Highness represent-

alty and people are drawn closer and mado stron-ror. Tho Duko of York, still on the threshold of his career, has sow taken a step which must ever .endear him to public opinion in this country—ho has mado a lovo match, and there will bo no reserve in the felicitations which will attend him in his new-found happiness." Nowhero was tho news more keenly welcomed than in the Navy and tho Air Force, with both of 'which the Prince had served with credit. When Prince Albort was at Osborne Naval College his nickname was "Sprats." It was during his sorvico with tho Grand F?.eet that tho Princo was a -regular customer to tho shop-ship Borodino, which was fitted out as a floating storo. He was known as "Mr. Johnson" to his men, and "Johnson" to his foliow-offlcors, and ono of his jokos on boarding the Borodino at Scapa Flow used to bo to givo his ordor in pantomime by putting his hands in his pockets and whistling. This was because tho manager onco said to him jestingly, when they wero having something like a rush at a busy time: "Now, Johnson, no pilfering; whistlo all the tinio till you're out of tho shop, and keep your hands in your pockets until you're asked to pay. While you are whistling you can't eat anything, and you can't pinch anything with your hands in your pockets." It will easily be realised that the Prince was like all middies — full of-mischicf—and that he did not allow tho Royal nntecedants of "Mr. Johnson" to restrict his enjoyment of life. MARRIED. Tho engagement was not of very long duration, and the marriage was solemnised in Westminster Abbey on 26th April, being tho subject of universal rejoicing all over the United Kingdom and tho British Empire The honeymoon was spent in Surrey at Polcsden Lacy, a delightful Georgian home. Royalty, however, docs not have many . opportunities for leisure, and eveii such an important happening in his life as marriage did not permit the Princo to neglect his many public duties. On 2ml June tlie Royal pair attended the Royal Military Tournament at Olympia, which the Duke followed up by giving addresses on the approaching Imperial Conference to the Board of Education, and on Mexican matters to a large gathering at River Plato House. On Ar mistice Day of that year . c was present with tho other Royal Prince's at the Cenotaph in support of his father, ,tno King, and afterwards, in c mpany with the Duchess, he visited Manchester, driving officially over a route of eight miles. . Prior to those two happenings the Duke and Duchess visited Belgrade to attend tho christening of the infant Crown Prince of Rumania, afterwards attending the marriage of Prince Paul of Serbia, returning +■■> London on 25th October.

The following year (1924) was a very, busy one for the Royal couple. What with visits to Glasgow, Birmingham, Newport, and other centres of the Kingdom, attending officially at the opening of the Empire Exhibition at, Wembley, and addressing a large num ber of people on a diversity of subjects the early part of the year was well occupied. In July the Duke and Duchessvisited Northern Ireland, where they were enthusiastically received at every place visited, particularly at the great industrial centre of Belfast 'md at the capital, .1 ondonderry. FIRST EMPIRE JOURNEY. It was in this year that, the Duke and his wife made their first journey on behalf of the consolidation of the British Empire, visiting East Africa and touring through Kenya. The Royal couple left England early in December, sailing finally from Marseilles on 11th December, and arriving Mombasa on 23rd Docember. During the

progress of the tour, the party visited Nairobi, Entebbe, Kampala, Butiaba, and many other places of native importance. Auong the most historic portions of the tour was the visit to the native Parliament (or Lukiko), sitting at Mengo, the native capital of Uganda, where the Duke invested King Daudi, Kabaka of Buganda, with the insignia of K.C.M.G., later reviewing a great gathering of warriors. During the tour ■the Duke took part in a number of shooting excursions, big game hunting being a special feature of these journeyings. The Royal party finally left Buganda on 4th April, en route for England, arriving in London on 20 th April, where a very warm welcome was received from Royal relatives anf from the general public. The remainder of 1925 was spent in a long round of official duties, -which took, the Duke and Duchess to all parts of England. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH. Last year there were two notable happenings. The birth of the Princess Elizabeth and the decision t visit New Zealand and Australia. Pride of place must, of course, be given to the birth of the baby princess, which occurred in London on 21st April, the infant being the third in succession in a direct line with the Throne. Naturally th" Royal couple were deluged with congratulatory messages. from all parts of the British Empire, the event being looked upon as one of extreme importance. Th- Duke continued his official duties throughout the year, again visiting many parts of the United Kingdom, but the Duchess, of course, lived much more quietly, giv-

ing grcate attention to her domestic duties. NEW ZEALAND'S INVITATION. Ou 9th Juno tho Duko attended the Now Zealand dinner in London, and it was here, that the present tour was born. Sir James Allen tendered the guest of tho ovoning ait invitation to visit the Dominion in tho near futurs, and though there was a great deal of discussion in regard to the matter at the time, oventually—on 20th July to be exact—the invitation was officially accej'ed, together with a similar request from the Commonwealth of Australia. Since then much has been done in preparation for a i-our which sannot bo otherwise than historic. With all theso thronging ongageincnts, the Duke contrives to fit in his well deserved sharo of recreation. If ho is a groat social worker, ho is also a great sportsman. The early month? of each year find him hunting with the Pytehley, and towards the close of the season he is usually with the Belvoir Hounds. He is also a keen hand at tennis, rackets, and polo. He misses few of tlu greater events of the football world, and is usually to be found at the University Boat Eace each year. In May, 1922, he kic'-cd off at the Association trial match, and in the same month he played in .. tennis tournament in aid of tlio North London Boy Scouts. Ho is also patron of the Scottish Golf Union. The Duke of York is deservedly popular. Like his brother tho Princo of Wales, lie regards his great position as a public stewardship, for the rcsponsibili ties of which he has fitted himself witl eon-cientious foil. His charming per sonality and good sportsmanship wii Inn friend; everywhere, and it is no flattery, but simple truth, to say that Great Britain may count herself fortunate in her Princes.