MESSAGE BY KING

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1939, Page 5

MESSAGE BY KING

TO IIIS FORCES. TO THE NAVY. (United F ress Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, Sept. 4. The King has sent the following message. to~ the Navy: “Once again, the Royal Navy has assumed the protection of the Empire on the seas of the world, and I would like to assure you of my conviction that, whatever the future has in. store, its conduct and courage will bring added lustre to its long history. It was niy high privilege to see service with them when they were last on active service. My thoughts will always be with them now.”

TO THE ARMY. The King in a message to the Army said: “In all >its long and glorious history, the British Army has never been called to take the field for a cause more just than that which is our’s today. It has never entered a campaign of. which thq issues, were more grave and more vital for the future of our race, indeed of all civilisation. 1 know well you will realise what is at stake, and that in the struggle ahead, every man in my armies will play, his part with gallant devotion. It is my earnest prayer that God have you in his keeping and grant success to your arms.” Mr Hore Belisha (Minister of War) has replied “on behalf of every soldier of whatever rank.”

TO THE AIR FORCE. In a message to the Royal Air Force His Majesty said: “The Royal Air Force has behind it a tradition no less inspiring than those of the older services, and in the campaign which weave compelled to undertake, you will assume responsibilities far greater than those your service had to shoulder in the last war, one of the gravest of which will be the safeguarding of these Islands from the menace of the air. f assure all ranks of the Air Force of mv supreme confidence in their skill, courage and ability to meet whatever calls may be made on them.”