SUPREME RANK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 23 January 1936, Page 11

SUPREME RANK

EMPIRE DEFENCE NEW KING AS CHIEF MESSAGES TO SERVICES DEVOTION RECALLED CONFIDENCE, IN FUTURE LONDON. Jan. 22. Within a few days King Edward VIII is expected to assume supreme rank in the fighting services, of which he is already titular'head by accession, although he does not yet hold the highest offices. He will be .elevated to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet by Order-in-Couneil and will receive the baton of a Field-Marshal from a deputation of existing! FieldMarshals. He will also become Chief of the Royal Air Force, which position was specially created for King George. King Edward's first signature as Sovereign—" Edward R.l."—was attached to a message to the army, expressing his thanks for devoted services to his beloved father. "I recall with gratitude the noble response the army made in the Great War and his proud confidence in its loyalty, valor and steadfastness." states the message. ARMY ASSOCIATION The King] recalls his own long-stand-ing association with the army, adding: "I look back on my service as a young officer in the Great War as one of the most valuable experiences, giving me the opportunity and privileges of the comradeship of soldiers from Britain, the Dominions, India and the colonies, -i learned to understand and appreciate those essential characteristics which united them in the sternest crisis in our history—the same fervent attachment to the* Crown, the same good-humor and endurance in adversity, the same determination to uphold the traditions of chivalry and courage which are our common inheritance in the happier days of peace. "I was able personally to see the military forces at home and abroad and have already noted with pride the same gallant bearing which distinguished them in the field. I shall be strengthened to discharge my great responsibilities by the confidence that I can rely on the unswerving allegiance of all ranks in the military forces throughout the Empire."

NAVY TRADITIONS

In a message to the Royal Navy, King Edward said :—"I desire that the Royal Navy and all my other naval forces througihout the Empire should know with what gratitude I recall the distinguished services rendered during the reign of my, father, and how much 1 cherish the recollection of the intimate personal association that so long existed between my family and the profession to which father devoted his youth and early manhood, and in which I and my two brothers received our early training.

"My visits to many parts of the Empire enabled me to note that pride, loyalty and devotion to duty remain the watchwords of the navy, wherever it is called upon to serve. The same great traditions are guiding the development of the naval services in the Dominions."

The King! added:—"Conscious of tlie great trust reposed by you, and confidant of your determination never to disappoint that trust, I shall always regard your efficiency and well-being as matters of the highest importance and shall take a deep interest in everything concerning them."' THE ROYAL AIR FORCE In a message to the Royal Air Force at home and overseas, King Edward recalls the flying services created in the reign of his father, "who watched with close, personal interest their rapid growth from small beginnings, their unification under the stress of war, and. their subsequent development into a powerful instrument, of defence, which shares with the older services the honorable duty of safeguarding these shores and the Empire.

"I have ever valued my close association with the air force, and also witnessed with deep satisfaction the creation of air forces in the Dominions and India. If the air forces of the Empire are young, they have all the vigor of youth, and have in a few years already achieved a high tradition. I shall watch their further progress with keen personal solicitude for their welfare, with entire confidence that they will ever show that pride of service and unswerving! loyalty to the Grown they have displayed since their inception." All the messages were signed "Edward R. 1."