BRITISH LEGION RALLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 196, 20 August 1931, Page 8

BRITISH LEGION RALLY

BRITISH ARMY’S “MOTHER.” HONOUR DONE TO FRANCE. LONDON, July 10. Over 10,000 ex-servicemen from Lancashire, Cheshire, Westmoreland, Cumberland and other parts of the North of England were on parade on Saturday at Knowsley Park, the Lancashire seat of Lord Derby, president of the north-western area council of the British Legion. The proceedings began with a silent tribute to the “ imperishable memory of the glorious dead” and afterwards the British and French National Anthems were sung. Mme. la Baronne de la Grange, who for her kindness to the British soldiers during the war is known as “The mother of tho British Army,” inspected the parade and was received with striking tokens of affection. She gave an impressive address. After referring to Lord Derby as “France’s great friend,” she said that as “Mother of the British Army” it was only right that she should be present on such an occasion. “I salute and wish the best of luck to those men who during the war contributed to tho deliverance of our invaded regions and tho liberty of France,” she said. “Sometimes your judgment of France is not quite exavt, but I can assure you that in every class in France we have only one desire—peace. ” Paying tribute to the work of the British Legion, the French lady added: —“When I visit the cemetries on the old front lino I realise that Great Britain could not have proved her faith in us more implicitly than by leaving us her dead. The sons of England are the most sacred pledge of our union. What an honour your country has done to Franco in allowing her to keep that glorious vanguard! It is an affirmation that you will never permit the land where your heroes sleep to be trampled upon by the steps of a common enemy. ’ ’