INFORMAL ROYAL LANDING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 6

INFORMAL ROYAL LANDING

KING VISITS BOYS' CAMP ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME FROM HOMDAY,*fAKERS <jT»9U OCT* OWN OejUSPSFOKPSJtT-! i LONDON, August 3. ! Bareheaded, and clad in a white shirt, a blue pullover, a cheek Jacket, grey shorts, and white canvas shoes, the King made one of the most informal Royal landings on the shores of England when he visited at Southwold the camp which he founded 18 years ago while* Puke of York, Leaving the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert in a barge, the King transferred into a small boat, rowed by two" "old salt?," aged 68 and 66, and was pulled to the shore to be greeted by the 400 boys in camp and hundreds of holiday-makers. Many of the boys swam out to meet the King,- who waved them back as they were in danger of ing injured by the boat," When it was sufficiently close to the shore it was dragged up the beach, and as the King jumped out he was greeted by "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." A walk to this camp, nearly a mile away, and talks with many of the boys followed.

The King entered into the v&riou phases of the camp life and chatte to the hoys. When he made en jc formal speech to the boys even tt» official visitors had to remain outride the concert tent in which he addressed them.

After the meal the King drew from a hat the names of the after.iuneh sspeakers, who included ? headmaster, an editor, a playwright a miners' leader from South Wales a civil servant, and a manufacturer There were scenes of enthusiasn 1 when he left the camp in the evening, By that time several thousandof holiday-makers had assembled and the police had some difgeulty j keeping an avenue clear for thr King to reach the boat. As one o'the "old salts" pushed the boat aP there was a heavy swell and he had difficulty in climbing aboard. Thr King helped him into the boat. The cheering crowds took up the refrain "Auld Lang- Syne," and shortly afterwards the King climbed aboard the Royal barge, which sped away to the Victoria and Albert, where the Queen and the two Princesses stood on the bridge. Nearly 8000 boys have pasged through the 16 camps held at Southwold. Of the 400 who attend each year half are industrial workers and half are public schoolboys. They come from every part of the country, and last year 40 dif-_ ferent industries were represented. There are several unwritten rules in the camp. These include a daily bathe, wet or fine, the wearing of shorts and ah openneck shirt. All speeches are limited to three minutes and offenders arc shot down. Two who infringed during the King's visit were the headmaster of Shrewsbury School and Mr St. John Ervine.