empire broadcast

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 29 January 1936, Page 6

empire broadcast

When London came on the aii at 1 a m. to-dav. New Zealand time, it was stated that the funeral procession had taken longer on its way through Loudon than was anticipated and the train was then expected to arrive at Windsor at 1.10 p.m., G.M. 1. yesterday. . When the remains were taken troin the funeral coach at Windsor station they were piped aboard the gun caixiage by two bos’uns and eight bos uns mates. It wa.s King’s weather at Windsor after rain. Windsor, for centuries the scat of kings, now bade farewell to King George as the procession drew toward the'castle. St. George’s Chapel was encircled with flowers, tributes from sorrowing subjects. The procession wound slowly past the round tower with a dignity that >vas infinitely moving. To meet the King on the chapel steps came the Archbishops- of Canterbury and York in their purple capes, while the band played the Dead March in “Saul.” The procession wound to the King Henry Vlil gateway to the castle. Soon the gun carriage itself came to view. The Dead March was repeated several times to give the cortege time to make the

long entrance to the castle proper. The officers lined up at the. west door of the Chapel. Then appeared the min carriage draped with the Royal Standard and hearing the crown, the orb, the sceptre and the insignia of the Garter.

KING EDWARD'S HEAD BOWED

With slow footsteps King Edward and the Royal figures marched behind the gun-carriage and then came her Majesty Queen Mary, King Edward had liis head bowed; his face was drawn. A naval escort stood with heads hared and bowed. Then the bier reached the flight of steps leading to St, George’s Chapel and was piped alongside. It was also piped aboard when the hearers carried the coffin to the chapel. The hos’uns’ pipes were followed by a bagpipe lament, which was also played during the progress of the cortege through the streets of London. The coffin moved within and disappeared from sight—so a dead King went on to his rest. After the reading of a passage from Revelations the congregation joined in singing the late King’s favourite hymn, “Abide With Me.” WORDS OF COMMITTAL The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke the committal words: “Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty- God of His great mercy to take unto Himself the soul of our clear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be Tike unto His glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue all tilings to Himself.” As the words of committal wore spoken, King Edward scattered a handful of English earth upon the coffin which had been lowered beneath the floor of the chapel. The responses were followed hv the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. The Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the Benediction.

THE PROCLAMATION After the Archbishop had concluded the Benediction the Garter King of Arms recited the following words:— “While it has pleased Almighty God by His divine mercy to call unto Him the late Most High, Most Mighty and Most Excellent Sovereign, George V, by the Grace of God. of Great Britain. Ireland, the British Dominions beyond the Seas. King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, and Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, let us humbly beseech Almighty God to bless with long life his Most High. Most Mighty and Most Excellent Monarch and Sovereign Lord, Edward VIII, now by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions bevond the Seas, King Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India, and Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. God Save the King.” The Archbishop of Canterbury then pronounced the blessing. J lie service concluded with the playing of the Dead March in “Saul” on the chapel organ. The service concluded at 2.30 a.m. todav, New Zealand'time.