LONDON VICTORY PARADE

Chronicle (Levin), 16 May 1946, Page 5

LONDON VICTORY PARADE

^ 21,000 WILL MARCH TWELVE ABREAST Received Wednesday, 7.20 p.m. LONDON, May 15. Down WJiitehall, in Trafalgar Hquare, and in other parts of Oentral London, lamj) ]iosls gleam brightly in new coats of silver paint. In many ways they eniphasise the shabbiness of the buildings, but as they are the Jirst outward signs of preparations for the Victory parade 011 .lune S, nobody worries aboui comparisons. Though sonie towns in Britain are not makijig any preparations for Victory Day, plans are steadily | proceeding in London and already in The Ma!l, tubular steel is erected for the stanil 011 which the King will take Ihe salute of tlie two- anned parades; which will niarcli in dift'erent parts' ot London before swinging nnder Admiraltv Arcli towards Buckinghain Palace. It is announml that 21,000 men and women marcliing twelye abreast will be in oue parade, lialf of which will be rcprescntati ves of the civilian war effort such as industrial workers and civil defence. There will be another 3550 inen and wonleu 'in a- mechanised coluinn, in chargfi of 403 vehicles. Mo.bile breakilown vans will be at yari011s points in case the vehicles require lirst aid. yAll along the route of the procession which is about 2)1 miles, tlrere is now being erected flagpol.es and steel barriers. The.latter are t,p heLp controi the crowds. This is.posing a big job for the police since no .stands are being erected due to tlie shortage of timber and labour. Over 144)00 police will be on dut.v in tlie areas of the two- parades. Als.o on dutv -wili be 300 R.A.F. police and ^1200 military police. Radio cnrs and vans will be stationed along the route in constayt touch with Scotland Vard. ; • Scotland Yard's plan for eontroliing the crowds and' tratfic is based 011 11 colour scheme. London has lieen divideu into seven areas for parking- purposes, eacli of' which is distiuguished by a tqx'eial colour. Tbousands of colotired windscreen labels are to be distributed lo motori'sts to guide. them to. tlic ]>arking places allotled to them. Goloured direction signs and notices have also b.een ]>re])ured. The London County G-ounei] wib spend £23,000 pn tlie Victory celebrations and will decorate several build- j ings. Fnlertainnienls will be. provided for a quarter of a milliou cjiildren froni the schools of nine loyal education authorities between June 11 and ,June 14. The Governuient will bear the cust of their fares and entertainnient. Siiuilar ])lans are being made in Birming'lani, Manchester, Fdinliurgh and Glasgow. Their iMajesties will watch a fireworks displav froni tlie Lord Chancellor's flat in Ihe House of Lonls and all holders of Ihe Victoria ("ross and George Gross who desire tickets, will be alde (0 see Ihe dis]i]ay froin Parliament Buildings. The King has sanctioned the o])tio.nal wenring of 11111I'orms by all ex-oflicers and inen of tlie (ighting forces during Ihe eejebrations a privilege which will also apjily to tio1 Women V Servicos.