“A ROYAL TIME.”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 22, 19 March 1918, Page 4

“A ROYAL TIME.”

ANZACS AT WINDSOR CASTLE. Writing to his parents, under date December Ist, 1917, from Harcfield Park, Australian Hospital, Private Hilton Tuckerman says:— “I had a grand time, or a royal time, whatever you may call it, last Tuesday. The KJing and Queen sent down twenty tickets (gold-edged) for wounded Australians to go over and dine at Windsor Castle, and I was one of the lucky twenty. And it beat all I ever imagined! I had been there before, but only through the chapel and stables. No one is allowed to enter the State apartments without a special permit stamped by the Lord Chamberlain as you enter. Anyhow, armed with these necessary means, I entered these State apartments, and saw some wonderful sights, I can toll you. “Queen Mary received us and gave us a great reception, and fed us on the best. I tell you, it seemed funny being waited on by Royalty, and I had quite a long chat with Princess Alice, King George’s sister, and the best of the fun I didn’t know she was a Princess at the time. She was waiting at the tables and she started the conversation, and talked to me for quite a quarter of an hour, and I thought she was a waitress or something, or I should have been too bashful to talk to her. But she is quite a nice girl, and when, after hearing some speech-making, we found' out all the girls there were peers’ daughters waiting on us, we felt quite honoured.

“Anyhow, it’s a happening that a man will be able to look back on all his life, and a privilege few are granted. I could not describe how beautiful in every respect it is from one apartment to another. But what took my eye, as father would say, was the reception room where the King and Queen receive their guests, and I was wondering while I was there how many times old Kaiser Billy must have been received there, and sat in one of those gold chairs.”