Army, Navy, Air Force Leaders’ Greetings to Men

Northern Advocate, 26 December 1939, Page 6

Army, Navy, Air Force Leaders’ Greetings to Men

LONDON, December 24

“With our best wishes for Christmas. May God bless and protect you,” are the words in a facsimile' of the King’s handwriting, which are reaching all ranks in the British Expeditionary Force, on cards the size of post-cards. These are signed; “George R. 1., and Elizabeth.”

The reverse side shows the King In Field-Marshal’s uniform and the Queen wearing an evening gown and a tiara.

The chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force, confident of victory, sent messages to the Empire’s armed forces on the eve of Christmas. Gamelin’s Greetings.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces (Marshal Gamelin) addressed the soldiers of the British Empire, particularly those serving in France under General the Viscount Gort, V.C. He said: “I send you warmest Christmas greetings from your comrades of the French Army. “The festival of Christmas stands

for the future, and our effort in this war is creating the future. , That future will be what we all mean it to he, for the courage of our men is unconquerable.” The Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet (Admiral Sir C. M. Forbes) in his message, said:

“Together with the other officers and men of the Royal and Dominion Navies, *our comrades in the Army and the Royal Air Force, and our gallant French and Polish allies, we are denying the enemy the use of the ocean highways ,and keeping them open for our magnificent merchant navy and fishing fleet, so that they may maintain the supplies essential for our existence, and which with your help, will enable us to win the war against the ruthless and unscrupulous enemy.

0 “Such a task is not spectacular, but it is the essence of - our history and the foundation oh which the Empire is built. No Easy Road To Victory.

“To those who have lost loved ones, we offer our sympathy. “There is no easy road to victory, but I ask you to believe that we who go down to the sea in ships shall not fail in our task in the coming year.” General Gort said: “Again within the memory of many, a British Expeditionary Force is spending Christmas in France, once more under the leadership of a great soldier of France. The Allied armies stand united to resist aggression. Close Understanding.

“Difficulties and dangers will undoubtedly arise in the coming year, but they will be surmounted, owing to the close understanding between Britain and France, and the knowledge that the Empire’s thoughts are with us whether the weather be fair or foul.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Cyril Newall said: “Wherever they be, the members of the Royal Air Force are united in one aim—confident of victory they are on constant service in the defence of the Empire with vigilance and determination.”