ROYAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1940, Page 5

ROYAL TOUR

OF 1 EAST LONDON.

(United Press Association —By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, September 12

The King and Queen took shelter under -x police station this morning during an air raid warning while Their Majesties were on a tour of the bombed areas in south-east London. Their Majesties first visited a block of flats where a direct hit was scored by a German bomb and a number of people were killed. Their Majesties were deeply moved by what they saw. They conversed with bereaved persons and watched A.R.P. workers clearing the wreckage. Their Majesties expressed warm appreciation of their work. As Their Majesties walked from the scene the Queen conversed with a group of women, many of whom had lost relatives in the raids. As Their Majesties entered tlieir car this group sang ‘'There’ll Always Be An England.”

Proceeding to another place, where a heavy-calibre bomb bad completely demolished 12 houses on one side of a road and wrecked 12 others on the opposite side, the Queen again spoke to a number of women, one of whom said: “Hitler knocked our house down, but he ain’t got us down.” Their .Majesties both climbed over the debris to look into the huge crater which the bomb caused.

As they walked down the streets between ihe wrecked or badly damaged houses, both the King and Queen frequently stopped and spoke to the people, who told them that their visit had cheered everyone up wonderfully. One woman said to Their Majesties: “Hitler lias to have a bodyguard wherever he goes, but you come down just like this. God bless you and keep you.”

Their Majesties, in another borough, saw a church which was wrecked by German bombs, and also a block of flats which was damaged on Monday night.

Everywhere throughout their throehour tour the sympathy shown by Their Majesties was deeply appreciated.

Their Majesties were much impressed by the wonderful spirit of the people.