ANNUAL FESTIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23221, 15 December 1938, Page 18

ANNUAL FESTIVAL

DAIY OF REMEMBRANCE KING AND QUEEN PRESENT JOIN IN WAR CHORUSES [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Nov. 25 The King and Queen sang war-time choruses when they attended the 10th annual Festival of Remembrance of the British Legion in the Albert Hall on November 11. Nearly 10,000 people were present at this traditional climax of Armistice Day. About 80,000 had applied for tickets. The programme began with the singing of the National Anthem. Each piece of the festival- pageantry moved to its place with the ease and precision of long practice. Led by Captain J. Causley Windram, director of music of -the Coldstream Guards, the traditional war-time songs were sung, "The Long, Long Trail," "Ship Ahoy!" "Who's Your Lady Friend?" "Keep the Homo Fires Burning," "Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty" and others. The Royal party sang these songs wholeheartedly. The Queen specially enjoyed "Who's Your Lady Friend?" and laughted at the King as she sang it. Queen Mary, reading the words from her programme, joined in, too. Massed bands and the organist played Arthur Somerville's "Killed in Action." A hymn and prayers followed, and Kipling's "Lest We Forget." When the Last Post had been sounded, Sir Frederick Maurice, the British Legion pro sident, recited the famous words: "They shall grow .not old . . ." and the gathering responded: "We will remember them."

Crimson lignt glowed throughout the building and the choir sang "0 Valiant Hearts." 011 the screen appeared the picture of a war grave in Flanders. It is during the singing of this hymn that the festival reaches its superb height, which is never spoiled by familiarity or custom. Slowly 1,104,890 poppy petals, each representing the life of a slodier of the British Empire lost in the Great War, fell from the roof to the floor of the hall. Thousands upon thousands of them fell, darkening the face of the picture of the graves on the screen.

Palestrina's "Victory" broke the silence —"The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done: Alleluia!" The King, Queen and the Queen Mother joined in singing "Abide With Me"; the great Cross glowed i'fito crimson light near the roof and over the now thick carpet of fallen poppies clergy and choir retreated.