KING’S INSPECTION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 7

KING’S INSPECTION

THE HOME FLEET THREE DAYS VISIT IMPRESSIVE FAREWELL (Elec. Tel Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.40 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 13. It is now possible to reveal that the King recently spent three days with the Home Fleet in northern waters, staying aboard the battleship King George V, the flagship of the Home Fleet On the last day of the visit, His Majesty conferred a knighthood on Admiral J. Tovey, Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, and invested him with the K.C.B. in his cabin aboard the King' George V. He also conferred decorations and medals on many officers and men. The King made his journey by air to a northern port from which he embarked to join the fleet. For three days, the King toured the fleet, leaving the flagship each morning in the Admiral’s barge and visiting air-craft-carriers and destroyers, some of which had taken part in patrols near the enemy coasts only a few hours before and not had time to have a fresh coat of paint before the inspection. This is the first time His Majesty had been aboard the King George V since he launched her two and a half years ago. Among the men to whom the King talked were Fleet Air Arm crews, who had taken part in the raid on Kirkenes and Petsamo and a party of Free French sailors now serving with the Royal Navy. As His Majesty inspected the King George V, he was preceded, according to the ancient service tradition, by the Master-at-Arms carrying a lighted lantern. The King saw the bridge from which Admiral Tovey directed the action against the Bismarck and inspected the 14in. guns which poured shells into her. The King's visit concluded with His Majesty boarding a destroyer and steaming through the fleet. This destroyer has covered 115,000 miles since the outbreak of war and has taken part in many actions. The fleet’s good-bye to the King was a most impressive one., The sun had just broken through the grey mist when the destroyer began steaming down the fleet. The crews of the ships lined the decks. As the destroyer, with the King standing on the bridge, drew abreast, the bugles sounded and cheer after cheer rang out across the water.- It took nearly an hour for the King to pass through the long line and! as he passed out of the line, His Majesty’s approval was signalled to the fleet to “splice the mainbrace.”