CANADIAN PILGRIMS.

Wairarapa Age, 31 July 1936, Page 5

CANADIAN PILGRIMS.

PARK AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. KING GETS OVERWHELMING RECEPTION. SURGING & CHEERING CROWDS. RUGBY, July 29. Eight thousand Canadian pilgrims were entertained at a garden party at Buckingham Palace this afternoon at which the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester acted as host and hostess on behalf of the King. Half-way through the proceedings his Majesty himself appeared among his guests, who gave him an overwhelming reception, and he was surrounded by surging, cheering crowds until both hosts and guests were forced to seek shelter from a

heavy downpour of rain; Afterwards his Majesty spoke a few words to the pilgrims from the balcony of the Palace.—(British Official Wireless.) “GOOD OLD TEDDY." DEMOCRATIC & INFORMAL PARTY. LONDON, July 29. Enthusiastic scenes in which girls cried “Good old Teddy,’’ were witnessed when the Canadian pilgrims at Buckingham Palace rushed across the lawns to greet the King. Officials had to fight to clear a way to the Royal enclosure. Girls meanwhile struggled to pat the King on the back. Later, as the King crossed the lawn to the Palace pilgrims dashed ’through the rain towards him. When the news spread that the King was making a speech pilgrims, many of whom were hobbling on crutches, left shelter and crowded to the Palace. An outburst of cheering greeted the King as he appeared on the balcony. After he had made a speech of welcome the crowd sang, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow." The King waved and disappeared through the doorway. There was a moment’s silence, and then the National Anthem was sung, whereupon, the King reappeared and stood at the salute. The Duchess of Gloucester stood at the King’s side in the rain, and received a special cheer. It was the most democratic and the most informal party ever held at the Palace. The pilgrims explored the building. Tea was served in tents, but the pilgrims took cups and plates, and squatted on the lawns, enjoying, a picnic while the sunshine lasted. TOUR OF LONDON.

BRITISH PREMIER RECALLS WAR MEMORIES. RUGBY, July 29. To-day 8000 Canadian pilgrims who were present at Vimy Ridge memorial ceremony on Sunday paid a visit to Westminster Hall, the Cenotaph, and the Abbey, and later to-day they were received in the gardens of Buckingham Palace by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on behalf of the King. . There was a moving service at the Cenotaph, and at the Abbey an old lady of 75, Mrs Wood, whose 12 sons fought in the war, laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown warrior. From the steps of Westminster Hall the Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin) spoke to the pilgrims. During his remarks he said: “We in Britain will never forget how Canada, in those first days of the war and at a moment of peril, jumped to our aid. You stood with us in that grim fight round Ypres and you faced that first gas attack in April 21 years ago. We showed you then what we thought of you. We gave you Vimy, the key to the whole line, and we gave you, moreover, of our best—we gave you Julian Byng, and you loved him as he loved you.” He also paid a tribute to General Currie, himself a Canadian, who took over from General Byng.—(British Official Wireless.)