ROYAL VISIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23760, 13 September 1940, Page 7

ROYAL VISIT

.LONDON IiAID AREAS SYMPATHY WITH PEOPLE GREAT WELCOME RECEIVED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless LONDON. Sept. 11 The King and Queen took shelter under a police station this morning during an air raid warning,, while Their Majesties were on a tour of the bombed areas in south-east London. They iirst visited a block of flats where a direct hit was scored by a German bomb and a number of people were killed. Their Majesties were deeply moved by wl)at they saw and then conversed with bereaved persons. They watched A.R.P. workers clearing the wreckage and expressed warm appreciation of their work. As the King and Queen walked from the scene the Queen conversed with a group of women, many of whom had lost relatives in the raids. As Their Majesties entered their car, this group sang, "There'll Always be An England.' 1 Proceeding to another place where a heavy calibre bomb had completely demolished 12 houses on one side of the road and wrecked 12 others opposite, the Queen again spoke to a number'of women, one of whom said: "Hitler knocked our house down, but he ain't got us down." Their Majesties both climbed over the debris to look into a huge bomb crater. As they walked down streets between wrecked or badly damaged houses, both the King and Queen frequently stopped and spoke to people who told them their visit had cheered everyone up wonderfully. One woman said to Their Majesties: "Hitler has to have a bodyguard wherever he goes, but you come down here just like this. God bless you and keep you."

Their Majesties in another borough saw a church which was wrecked by German bombs, also a block of flats damaged on Monday night. Everywhere throughout their three-hour tour the sympathy shown by Their Majesties was deeply appreciated. They were much impressed by the wonderful spirit of the people.

GIFT FOR AIRCRAFT

FORMER GERMAN ACTOR (Received September 12, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON. Sept. 11 Among subscriptions for the purchase of aircraft acknowledged by the Minister of Aircraft Production, Lord Beaverbrook, is a donation of £IOO from Conrad Veidt, the German.born screen actor, who has appeared in numerous British and American films. NEW ALARM SYSTEM LONDON, Sept. 11 The Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, applauded the now system which factories, newspaper offices and other establishments are -adopting to prevent the disruption of work during air raids. Watchers are being posted on the roofs to warn when danger is imminent. Strens will be regarded as an alert, not .ail alarm, signal.