ORDER OF THE BATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1935, Page 12

ORDER OF THE BATH

SPLENDID PAGEANTRY

LONDON. July 6. At Westminster Abbey this week a ceremony of splendid pageantry was enacted when 21 Knights Grand Cross of the Alost Honourable Order of the Bath were installed beneath their banners in the chapel of their Order—better known as King Henry Vll’s Chapel • In the presence of the Great ATaster, the Duke of Connaught, the Knights took the oath administered by the Dean. .Among them was General Sir Alexander J. Godley, Alarshall of tlie Royal Air Force, Lord Trenchard and the Earl of Liverpool. The Duke of Connaught entered the Abbey in a procession which contained 63 G.C.B.s ranging from Air Chief Marshal Sir Edward Ellington, who be came a G.C.B. last month, to SirGeorge Alurray, who has been one since 1908 and is senior member of the first class, and one of the two surviving Edwardian appointments. Ad miral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe was present. The G.C.B's wore their crimson mantles lined with white over Levee dress and the great collar of the Order and carried their black velvet hats with white plumes. The officers of the Order wore white crimson-lined mantles with the shield of the Order on the right breast, and carried their crimson caps. The Canons wore similar mantles, but with the shield on the right arm. ’rhe Dean wore a crimson mantle over a surplice. The procession passed the whole length of the great church, eight trumpeters heralding it with a fan fare in perfect unison.

THE OATH AND ADMONITION The Order was created by George I. in 1725. The oath is in the following terms: — “You shall honour God above till things; you shall be sledfast in the Faith of Christ; you shall love the King your Sovereign Lord, and Him and His right defend to your power; you shall defend maidens, widows, and orphans in their rights and shall suffet no extortion as far as you may prevent it; and of as great honour be this Order unto you as ever it was to any of your Progenitors, or others.” A dramatic gesture followed. Having made double reverences the newly-in-stalled Knights came io the middle of tho chapel and. drawing their swords, held them by the blades with their hilts towards the altar, sheathing them a few moments later. S;r Eric Geddes, the Senior Knight to be installed, had tendered his sword to the Dean, who laid it on the altar. On its being redeemed the Detin restored it with these words of admonition :

“1 exhort and admonish you to use your Sword to the Glory of God, the Defence of the Gospel, the Maintenance of your Sovereign’s Right and Honour, and of all Equity and Justice, to tin- utmost of your Power." While this was being done and said tlie other 20 all drew their swords and held them by the blade hilts towards the altar ami all sheathed them in unison with Sir Erie. Many K.C.B.s and (’.B.s'had been provided with seats in the choir, under the lantern, and in the two transepts and provided a brightly-coloured] setting of dark blue, scarlet, and grey with occasional khaki gleaming with, ribbons and decorat ions, for tlm procession of which the dominant notei was crimson. A feature of tlie ceremony was the magnificent music. Th" Abbey choir] was supplemented by the Gentlemenand Children of the Chapel Royal and the Militarv Baud of the Scots Guards