WHITEHALL'S SILENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 19

WHITEHALL'S SILENCE

KING AT THE CENOTAPH SCENE BATHED IN SUNSHINE A WREATH FROM NEW ZEALAND (From Our Own Correspondent; (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov. 14. "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile," was one of the marches played by the massed bands of the Guards at the Cenotaph on November 11 after the two minutes' silence. The great crowd took up the refrain, hummed it and sang it quietly as the men of the British Legion, medals bobbing on their breasts, poppies nodding in their lapels, their eyes screwed up against the rays of the sun, bald heads shining in the bright light, swung past the memorial in column of fours. The crowd clapped as each division was led past, an elderly officer blackcoated, head bared, in front, accompanied by two giant Guardsmen the long fur of their great bearskin helmets nodding at each stamp of their massive boots. As a detachment of women marched by, many wearing rows of medals won by husbands and sons killed over 20 years ago, there was a prolonged outburst of clapping. Twenty years ago! That was one of the thoughts uppermost in the minds of the majority of people who filled the entire length of Whitehall, and who sang " Oh God, Our Help in Ages Past," and the National Anthem in the simpie, dignified service. During the week several newspapers had again suggested that the service no longer should be held, but there was no thinning in the density of the crowd, numbers of which waited for hours to secure their position. SILENCE UNBROKEN Nothing marred the silence this year. The only sounds were a subdued coughing, and the jingling of a bridle as a police horse champed his bit. A Guardsman collapsed just before the guns announced the end of the silent homage, but his fall was quickly attended to by St. John Ambulance men, and few people noticed the subdued scuffle. The scene was exactly the same as in past years, except that where once King George V and his four sons led the nation's homage, only two royal brothers were present this year, King George VI and the Duke of Kent. The Duke of Gloucester was flying up from the South of France to Paris to meet the Duke of Windsor. Half an hour before the silence the detachments of the British Legion, the Regular Army, the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Territorial Army, the Royal Marines, and the police were all in their places, the Guards' bands massed, the Royal Marine buglers in position to blow the reveille and 'Last Post." ROYAL LADIES APPLAUDED The warm sunshine and blue sky evidently gave a lighter feeling of heart than usual to a section of the crowd, who, earlier in the week, had cheered the King and Queen on their way to the House of Lords to open Parliament, and who had hoorayed for the Lord Mayor as his " show" preceded him round the city streets. While they had waited this morning bands had played and bagpipes skirled. They clapped when the Queen, Queen Mary, and other members of the Royal Family appeared on the balcony of the Home Office. Fifteen minutes before the silence scarlet and gold-coated choirboys, white-surpliced choirboys and men, preceded the Bishop of London in procession. Five minutes later the British Cabinet, led by Mr Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, also appeared from the Home Office, blackcoated, carrying silk hats and rolled umbrellas. Mr Chamberlain held a wreath and no.umbrella, and Mr Malcolm MacDonald (Dominions and Colonial Secretary) and the Marquis of Zetland (Secretary for India) also carried wreaths. They were followed by the dominion High Commissioners, including Mr Jordan, also wreath and silk hat bearing. KING'S LONG SALUTE Three minutes later there was another loud murmuring among the crowd. The King, followed by the Duke of Kent, both in admirals' uniform, followed by representatives of the army, English. Scottish and Welsh, walked slowly out into Whitehall. Seven minutes before the silence the King laid his wreath at the foot of the beflagged, gleaming memorial. Stepping back, he gave a long salute, his white-gloved hand fixed at his gold-braided cap peak. Three wreaths were laid by the army representatives, and, as the bands began the "Dead March," Mr Chamberlain left his position, bowed to the Cenotaph, and deposited his poppies. Next came Mr MacDonald, making two visits, one for the dominions and one for the colonies, and then the Marquis of Zetland. First of the dominion representatives was the Canadian High Commissioner. He was followed by Australia. Then Mr Jordan laid New Zealand's wreath. He placed his right band on his chest as he bowed. The minutes ticked by, and when the last of the wreaths had been laid the first notes of Big Ben sounded the chimes preceding the hour. Hoarse voices called troops to attention, and the echo of the big bell at Westminster boomed and gained in volume as the noise of the city gradually stilled. A remote car horn pipped; a train rumbled in the distance. Then all was quiet. "TIPPERARY" The silence concluded, hymn and prayer followed the " Last Post," then came the blessing by the bishop, the reveille and the National Anthem. As the last note died away, the King paused for a few moments, gazing at the Cenotaph. Then he turned and slowly re-entered the Home Office. Five minutes later, Cabinet, High Commissioners, clergy, generals, admirals, choir were gone, the bands were playing " Tipperary," and a group of the British Legion tramped in single file to the Cenotaph, scarlet poppies nodding in the wreaths they held Long after ex-soldiers, guards, sailors, airmen, and territorials had marched away with their bands, people streamed in queues to lay wreaths at the crimson-based Cenotaph, and during mid-afternoon police were still standing by the long line of men and women paying their respects to the dead —and remembering. For the first time a delegation of the British Empire Service League, in company with the headquarters staff of the British Legion, headed the parade of ex-servicemen at the Cenotaph. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers* Association was represented by Mr H. T. B. Drew.