Congratulate King On Overthrow Of Enemies

Northern Advocate, 22 August 1945, Page 3

Congratulate King On Overthrow Of Enemies

(Rec. 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 21. King George went to the Palace of Westminster today to receive Parliament's congratulations on Japan’s surrender and the overthrow of all the King’s enemies.

The ceremony took place in the Royal Gallery. Crowds from Buckingham Palace, down Birdcage .Walk to Westminster, gave the King a great reception. He drove with the Queen and Princesses in a closed car. The ceremony was carried out with all the traditional pomp. The King, replying to the addresses, said the war against Japan was fought far frorm the British Isles, but he was proud that the British people had contributed fully to the victory. They should pay tribute to the armed forces, to whose courage, endurance and sacrifice their debt was immeasurable. The British fleet, including Canadian, Australian and New Zealand naval units, fought its way in comradeship with the American navy to the heart of the Japanese Empire. The British East Indies Fleet had driven the enemy from the Indian Ocean and powerfully supported armies in Burma.

British Commonwealth and Empire armies had steadfastly endured the dangers and hardships of tropical warfare, serving together in a spirit of brotherhood which would prevail through the years to come.

He* thought it proper particularly to pay tribute to the forces from Britain, India and East and West Africa who, under conditions of almost unbearable severity, liberated Burma in a brilliant campaign, in which the medical and nursing services added a glorious page to their splendid record of the war. Air Forces’ Part The King said the R.A.F.. with Dominion, Indian and Allied air forces, won historic victories.

“Just as our hearts go cut 10 those few whose spirit of achievement first sustained us in the Battle of Britain, so also we pay tribute to those who, with power grown' to match bravery, have taken their place in the last great offensive of lhe> Allies,” he said.

The perils of wartime oceans had not deterred the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets from carrying out tasks without which the militai’y effort would have failed for lack of supplies and the people at heme would have starved.

The King paid especial tribute to British women in industry, the cervices and hemes. "I am especially glad to acknowledge the unfailing support in men, materials and food given during the war by all parts of my Commonwealth and Empire They have suffered and struggled with us, and wilh us they share the joy of victory. We salute the great company of nations, large and small, who have contributed to the limit of their power to the restoration of peace on earth ” When the King concluded, there was a rumble of applause spontaneous in nature and exceotional at the conclusion of a Royal Address. Then Mr Attlee rose and called for three cheers for Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses.