PARIS GREETS THE GUARDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1933, Page 11

PARIS GREETS THE GUARDS

KISS FOR THE SERGEANT. PARIS, June 30. The whole of Pans turned out this evening to enjoy one of the greatest thrills of the year. The band of the Grenadier Guards and pipers of the Scots Guards—ll 4 men in all—made e, triumphal march right through the centre of the city, filling the streets with music. In short, they took the boulevards by storm. This welcome was the sequel to- another splendid, if less spectacular, scene of enthusiasm at Dieppe harbour. As the Channel boat from England arrived in the harliour. Capt. Miller, director of music of the Guards’ bands, arranged for them to strike up on board. Surprised by the unexpected music, fishermen left their boats, women and children in then’ quaint costumes left their houses, and hundreds flocked on to the quays. The enthusiasm of the fisher folk reached its height as the Channel boat came up to the landing-stage and the Guards ended with Hie "Marseillaise.” When the bands arrived in Paris. M. Brun, the liaison officer between the Garde Republicaine and the Grenadier Guards, welcomed his British colleagues enthusiastically at the station, giving the Guards' band sergeant ti hearty kiss on each cheek. Meanwhile, the excitement of the crowd had reached fever-point. Everybody was asking the same question—- “ Will thev play?” And many a woman said: “Ma foil What huge men and what furs!”—pointing to the bearskins. When the Guards struck up the “Marche Lorraine” the peo b Je started clapping like school-children enjoying a holiday treat. The welcome in the streets outside was equally enthusiastic and spontaneous as- the Guards marched proudly by playing the “Fol.ies Bergeres” waiters forgot their customer's and customers their waiters. Midiirettes and business men flocked on to the pavements. Some took off their hats and waved, others clapped or cheered, while the traffic policemen smileXl.