KING EDWARD TO HEAD FIGHTING FORCES

Northern Advocate, 23 January 1936, Page 7

KING EDWARD TO HEAD FIGHTING FORCES

Gracious Message To The Three Branches

Wnited Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.l 1 ■ LONDON, January 21.

TT'ING EDWARD, IN A FEW DAYS, IS EXPECTED TO ASSUME SUPREME RANK IN THE FIGHTING SERVICES, OF WHICH ALREADY HE IS THE TITULAR HEAD BY HIS ACCESSION ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT HOLD THE HIGHEST OFFICES.

words of the Navy wherever it is called upon to serve. The same great traditions are guiding the development of the naval services in the Dominions and in India. . “Conscious of the great trust reposed in you, confident of your determina-, tion never to disappoint that trust, I shall always regard your efficiency and well being, as matters of high importance, and I shall take a deep interest in everything concerning them.' 1 High Tradition Of £ir *" In his message to the Royal Air Force at Home and overseas, the King / said:—. “The flying services were created in the reign of my father, who watched, with close personal interest, their rapid growth from small beginnings, their unification under the stress of war, and- their subsequent development into a powerful instrument of defence, which shares with the older services the honourable duty of safeguarding these shores of the Empire. “I hqve ever valued my close association with the Air Force. Also I have witnessed with “deep satisfaction the creation of Air Forces in the Dominions and in India. If the Air Forces of the Empire are young, they have all the vigour of youth, and, in a few years, have already achieved a high I tradition.

The King will be elevated to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet by Order-in-Council, he will receive the baton of a Field-Marshal from a deputation of existing Field-Marshals, and will also become chief of the Royal Air Force, which tradition was especially created for King George.

King Edward’s first signature as the Sovereign—“ Edward R.l.”—was attached to a message to the Army expressing his thanks for its devoted services to his loving father. The mes* sage continued: — Noble Response.

“I recall with gratitude the noble response the Army made in the Great War to my father’s profound confidence, also its loyalty, valour and steadfastness. I recall my own long standing association with the Army. I look back on my service as a young officer in the Great War as one of my most valuable experiences, which gave me opportunity of having the privilege of comradeship with soldiers from Britain, the Dominions, India and the Colonies.

“I shall watch their further progress with keen personal solicitude for their welfare, with entire confidence that they will ever show the pride of service and the unswerving loyalty to the Crown displayed since their inception.” Alh the messages were signed: “EDWARD, R. 1.”

“I learned to understand and to appreciate those essential characteristics, which united them in the sternest crisis in our history—the same fervent attachment to .the Crown, the same good humour of endurance and adversity, the same determination to uphold the traditions of chivalry and courage, which are common inheritance.

“In the happier days of. peace, I have been able personally to see the military forces at Home and abroad. Already I have noted, with pride, _ the same gallant bearing which distinguished them in the Field. I shall be strengthened in the discharge of my great responsibilities by my confidence, that I can rely upon the unswerving allegiance of all ranks of military forces throughout the Empire,

Gratitude To Navy. In his message to the Royal Navy King Edward said;—

“I desire that the Royal Navy, and all other naval forces throughout the Empire, should know with what gratitude I recall the distinguished ser-. vices rendered by them during the reign of my father, and how much I cherish the recollection of the intimate personal association, which, for so long, has existed between my family and the profession to which my falimr devoted his youth and early manhood. “I and two of my brothers received training in the Navy. My visit to many parts of the Empire enabled me to note, with pride, that loyalty and devotion to duty remain the watch-