PRINCE OF WALES AT THE FRONT.

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1917, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES AT THE FRONT.

VISIT TO "STAMFORD' HILL" HUT. : A recent issue of "The Red Triangle, tb*v official • organ of the loung- Men '«« Christian Association, contains an iaeresting- account of a surprise visit Sjaid by the Prince ol Wales to the .W.M.C.A. hut, "somevvhere in Fjlnce," given by the Stamford , 'Mill Congregational Onurch. m "The Prin.l," writes "V.0.5." "accompanied m Lord Claude Hamliton, came qu]ftly into the hutin the evening when M the ordinary work of the counter wfe in full swing. Those of the hut wrScers who were not aireadv known His Royal Highness had the-priv'«ge of being- presented to him, but d' was some time before his presence the counter was recognised /> the men in the hut. Indeed ,one|big Australian, who was

helping \a.t the tea : urn, chattered for 1 some timq with our visitors, answer- j ing questions about Australia" and I Gallipoli Without the faintest notion as to whom., he was talking to. When he did get tej know, he showed unmistakable si^ns of shock, though as an Australian, to whom princes are ' as other folfc, he tired, of course to conceal it. ' ■•••••. -.,..„. Presently, however, men 'vvlio had seen the Prince elsewhere in France began to whisper to others the idenv. ty of out distinguished visitor, and before long we had a "counter-at-tack" by men who evidently thought there might be a chance of the Prince of Wales handing them a dolly cake. That, indeed, did not happen but the Prince did suddenly become enamoured of our bread-cutting maichine, and insisted on trying it tor himself with such zest that in a very short time out cutting-up table was piled so high as to satisfy all demands for the night. During the half hour or so which he spent in the hut/ His Royal Highness showed &, genuine interest in our work. He asked many questions about ff, and before leaving had gained a pretty good idea of how things are done in a V.M.C.A. hut in I ranee. He left with us the impression of a quiet unassuming young officer, very keen about his work, and honestly interested in all that concrens the welfare of the men. There are many bright memories remaining to any man who has.served the V.M.C.A. in France. One or two of us reckon amongst the briffhest the remembrance of having met the Prince of Wales behind the counter of our hut.