London’s Stillness

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 282, 12 November 1936, Page 7

London’s Stillness

TRIBUTE TO FALLEN Traditional Armistice Day Ceremony KING PAYS HOMAGE (By Telegraph—Press' Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 12, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. No Armistice Day ceremony has equalled in impressiveness London’s stillness to-day, when the pulse of the greatest city in the world was stilled by the customary twominutes silence. The surge of sound when the vast city boiled into activity again was almost as impressive as the silence. Even transchannel air pilots took part in the silence by throttling back their engines and dipping their machines In salute to the fallen.

King Edward, who appeared for the first time at this great public assemblage as monarch, left Buckingham Palace in admiral’s undress uniform for the Cenotaph at 10.35. Queen Mary, robed in black, accompanied by the Duke and Dachess of Gloucester and the Duke and Duchess of York, drove to the scene and seated herself at a window overlooking the crowded Whitehall.

As eleven began to chime maroons sounded and a gun thudded from the Horse Guards Parade. The observance of the traditional ceremonies proceeded with devout and majestic calm, yearly repetition being powerless to render commonplace so great a homage. The Guards’ Band played solemn music until the King, attended by the Dukes of York and Kent, with the Bishop of London with bowed head behind him, placed a wreath on London’s most significant memorial. The King stepped back and stood motionless at attention as the silence spread through his dominions.

Suddenly “The Last Post” roused London from its dream. The singing of “0 God Our Help In Ages -Past” followed and the “Reveille” was sounded, after which the Bishop’s blessing sounded the nation’s “Amen.”

The Rt. Hon. 8. M. Bruce and Mr W. J. Jordan placed wreaths on the Cenotaph on behalf of their respective countries. The Hon. W. Nash and his wife were present as the guests of Mr Malcolm MacDonald.

HELD .OF REMEMBRANCE King Plants a Cross (Britich Official Wireless./ (Received 12, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 11. As usual on Armistice Day, the lawns on the north side of Westminster Abbey were set aside as a Field of Remembrance, in which miniature crosses and imitation Flanders poppies were planted. In pouring rain the King paid a visit to the scene this evening and planted a eross. The King was also present at the annual British Legion festival of remembrance in Albert Hall, which was crowded with ex-service men. Shortly after leaving Albert Hall His Majesty traveled by rail to Portland in preparation for a visit to the Fleet, which will extend over two days., After a dinner party on the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, the King visited the Courageous for a ratings concert.

CEREMONIES IN FRANCE Children Take Part for First Time (Received 12, 11.30 'a.m.) PARIS, Nov. 11. Children for the first time participated in the Armistice Day ceremonies in France, boys and girls filing past the President at the Unknown Soldier’s grave in precisely the same way as did the troops of the Paris garrison. The Bishop of Arras celebrated midnight Communion at the Notre Dame De Lorette, dominating the great Flanders ceremony, where lie Franch, British and German dead. Torches, lit respectively on the graves of the Unknown Soldiers in Paris and Brussels, were borne by excombatants from one capital to the other across the battlefields. The colour of the Poppies sold in Paris was changed, because of political .considerations, from red to yellow, but many people declined to wear yellow.

TRIBUTE TO MARSHAL FOCH (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12, 12.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 11. At the foot of the Marshal Foeh Statue in Grosvenor Square, General Sir Frederick Maurice, president of the British Legion, placed a wreath of poppies decorated with tricolour ribbons bearing the inscription: “In proud memory of a great soldier and a good friend of ex-service men.”

GIBRALTAR CEREMONY (Received 12, 11.30 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, Nov. 11. Spanish Fascists mingled with Spanish Communists and syndicalists at the Armistice celebrations. Thousands of refugees of all shades of political opinion stood side by side watching the ceremony at the Cross of Sacrifice.