Great Welcome To Men Of Exeter, Ajax

Northern Advocate, 24 February 1940, Page 8

Great Welcome To Men Of Exeter, Ajax

( Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON. February 23

A MILD AND BRIGHT, THOUGH SUNLESS MORNING, GREETED THE MEMBERS OF THE CREW OF THE AJAX AND EXETER WHO ASSEMBLED AT WATERLOO STATION FOR THE MARCH TO THE GUILDHALL WHERE THEY WERE ENTERTAINED.

Londoners, inking: 1 Ik* keenthe victory over the Urn I' 'Spec, route, in which flags were freely d Tumultuous Cheering 1 The waiting crowds included many children and British and Canadian soldiers. A huge crowd gathered at Waterloo and broke into tumultuous cheering as the sailors came out of the main entrance. The procession marched through the streets dense with a cheering multitude. The Ajax men led the procession, then came Captain Woodhouse, of the Ajax, and Captain Bell, of the Exeter, marching side by side before the crew of the Exeter. Inspection by King Thunderous cheering greeted the arrival at the Horse Guards Parade, where the men formed a hollowsquare facing the Admiralty. His Majesty, wearing the uniform of an .Admiral, walked on to the parade ground and began an inspection of the men, while the Queen and Duchess of Kent watched from a window at the Admiralty. Investiture IV;Id Cheer after cheer arose as the King, accompanied by Captain Woodhouse and Captain Bell, Admiral of the Fleet. Sir Dudley Pound, the First Sea Lord (Mr Winston Churchill) and Mr Chamberlain shook hands with the officers and walked round the ranks of ratings and marines. An investiture followed at a plain wooden table. Captain Woodhouse. oi the Ajax, was the first to receive an award, and the crowd was hushed at the sight of the last recipient, a widow draped in black, with whom His Majesty conversed for a minute. This was Mrs Russell, widow of Marine Russell, who, although both his arms were shattered, remained on deck cheerfully until he died. King Talks to Bereaved The King later spent some time talking to relatives of those killed in action, and the Queen paid special attention to their little children. The King took the salute while the men marched past.

■st interest in the celebrations ol ook up 'positions early along the isplaved.