“TOC H.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10451, 5 December 1927, Page 5

“TOC H.”

T WELFTH BIRTHDAY. CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON(United Press Assn.—!Oeoyrlght.) (Received Dee. 5, 12.40. a.m.) . . LONDON, Dec. 4. Tho Prince of Wales attended l oc IPs twelfth birthday .celebrations, which began with’a service in Westminster Abbey, which was crowded .with„-thousands,. «jtLm§n.. apd..yvfimP ll - members- 'wiiefeafter- -«-25U~ - -banned bearers, Empire wide, including Australia and New Zealand, maeje a procession to the Unknown Soldier’s comb, where the Dean offered a special prayer of thanksgiving. Members re-assembled in Albert Half and the proceedings opened with .community singing. The Prince t>f Wales, in a broadcast speech, declared tliat Hoc H’s spirit was deeds net words, lie appealed for an endowment fund of £250,000 to provide an,income of £IO,OOO to maintain the leaders in whofetime Toe H. jobs, also to provide additional centres. He urged that the fund be completed to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Armistice. Toe H was a power for good and must be made a permanent organisation. Ex-Private Pettifer carried the original Poperinghe lamp, which he handed to the Prince of Wales, wherefrom he lit thirty-two lamps, tho new brunches including some in Australia and New Zealand. Then the hall lights were switched off and six hundred lamps were lighted, the Prince participating. DUCHESS AND THE PUDDING. (Received Dec. o, 12.30 a.m. i LONDON, Dec. 4. The Duc-lxess of York participated in the Toe H anniversary celebrations. She attended a service at All Hallows Church. There, in the Chapel of the Lamp, with a raised banner entrusted to her by the women of West Australia, she entered amid rows’.of kneeling women. She afterwards visited a nearby women’s Toe H hostel, where she was presented with an Empire bouquet composed of flowers gathered from every country where Toe II exists. The real reason of the visit, however, was to stir the Christmas pudding. ‘She declared it appeared a bit stiff, but was assured it was all right. She then stirred it vigorously.—A.N.Z.C.A.