DUKE OF YORK’S BOYS

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 18

DUKE OF YORK’S BOYS

COiRADESHiP !N m P Tho Duko of York recently visited his camp at New Romney, and spent a merry afternoon and evening with its 400 members drawn from the ipublic schools and boys engaged in industry. Five minutes after his arrival His Royal Highness had changed into a light brown pull-over, fawn-colored shorts, and white socks turned down over white shoes. He had dinner and high tea with tho campers, saw their aquatic sports, swam with them, joined in a game of pushball, and stayed for the evening sing-song. Before leaving at 9 o’clock he expressed his pleasure at having shared a day with a crowd of good follows and real sportsmen. The weather was gloriously fine. Until early evening there was continuous hot sunshine, a sparkling sea, and only tho lightest qf breezes. There are 400 new boys at the camp this year (says a writer in the ‘ Observer’). Half the number have come from the public schools of tho country, and the other half from about 100 firms representing fifty separate industries. It is an object of the camp to bring together in comradeship boys of different interests and environment, so that they may know something of each other’s point of view, but nothing is done to force the idea of co-operation. The campers just meet on equal terms, play the same games, and for a week share a common life and a common discipline, which is the more effective because it carries neither punishment nor compulsion. “Mixing” has been facilitated this year by the presence of about eighty old campers who are acting as section leaders, deputy-leaders, and assistants to leaders. In spile of a day of rain the spirit of the camp was splendid, and the casual visitor saw only a happy and elosely-assoeiated company of eager holiday-makers. Tho Duke, who was attended by Rear-acjmiraJ Basil Brook and Mr I’. K. Hodgson, his private secretary, reached the camp soon after midday;' His coming was informal, as most of the boys were away bathing; and the visit, after the Duke had been received by the camp chief, Captain J. G. Paterson, and a group of leaders, began with a modest “rag” at tho expense of Mr P. Buissier, a Harrow master who takes charge of the games. Til II “GREAT CHI O'.” Tho Duke then entered a lint through a door inscribed “Great Chief” and changed his clothes. Accompanied by Captain Paterson, he went to tho concert marquee, whore ho listened to the “ Little Willie jazz Band ” rehearsing for tho evening, had a look over the stage “ properties,” and talked with the camp cinema operator. By this time dinner was ready, and bugles sot the boys, who had returned from the sea, moving towards the dining room. As soon as the boys were in their places Hip Duke entered the room, and was greeted with rousing cheers. After the meal everyone set off for the beach, where aquatic sports were to provide two hours’ diversion. The Duke found a seat on tho shallow concrete terraces fringing the shore, and boys in swimming costumes grouped themselves around him. Tho first event was a pillow fight, in which the competitors were precariously balanced on a pole over tho sea. Although only one hand could be need to wield the pillows there was some good lusty banging, with an occasional well-judged upper swing, and the bouts were usually as brief as they were vigorous. Every ducking brought a yell of laughter, in which the Duke joined. An umbrella race produced more mcrrimtnt, and then a relay race between tho twenty sections of the camp revealed some strong and admirable swimming. Mop lighting by teams of four from a raft proved rollicking sport. Finally came a shout of “ All in,” and hundreds of boys dashed as a body into the sea. With them went the Duke, who had quietly slipped into a bathing costume during the hilarity of the battles with the mops, and for ton minutes he swam and splashed among a crowd which surged around a polo ball. The water frolic wa.s followed by an impromptu toilet on the beach, and the boys then returned to the camp to be nhotographed in a semi-circular group, in which the Duke bad a central iposition. and warns joined by the leaders and visitors to the camp, who included Sir Charles Wakefield. Major Aotor, M.P., and Mr E. S. Button, a member of 1 ’no Industrial Court. Next came the push hall game, in which the Duko as a player was more than once bowled 'over. There were several minor casualties—tho Duke was treated for a slight injury to the elbow —but a full “ rag ” developed when a camp favorite was carried off the field on a stretcher to submit to the “amputation” of a leg, and was afterwards borne away for “ burial,” with the whole camp following. singing ‘John Brown’s Body.’ Before high tea tho Duke, who had thoroughly enjoyed tho atternoon’s amusements, inspected the camp and met the section leaders. THE DUKE’S GREETING.

The sing-song began at 7.d0. During the concert the Duke said a tew words to the boys, and through the medium 'of broadcasting to the members of previous camps. The occasion, he said, was not one for speeches. They wore indeed forbidden, for he believed that .this camp was its own message. Since, however, his visit coincided with the sing-song, and the wireless system enabled Kim to make contact with the thousands of boys who in previous year's had been his guests at camp, and wetc now scattered throughout the land, he felt that the occasion gave him a unique chance of sending thorn a word of greeting. “ Wherever they be and in whatever task they arc engaged,” His Royal Highness continued, “ I wish them all God-speed. I hope that my camp will always he to them a -"cry happy memory. To those who in past years have helped me to build up what is, I am convinced, a very useful piece of work, I offer anew my gratitude, ana to those who are gathered round mo here at the moment Camp Chief-captain Paterson, and all the members of tbe staff—especially old boys who have come back to lend a hand m runn.ng the camp—? can but say again ‘Thank you.’ “ All is well down hero, ns yon will have guessed from the sounds of merriment which preceded my remarks. I have spent a very happy day among the boys, and in a few minutes, when I leave New Romney for my return journey to town, I_ shall do so without any doubt in my mind that I have shared a day with 500 good fellow's, excellent sportsmen, and the most welcome guests.” The Duke had a remarkable ovation when he left for Ashford to catch a train lor London. From -he concert tent to the camp gate the boys were lined up two deep. Red and' blue ships’ lights had been issued, ami these were burned as the Duke passed through the ranks. At the gates the old campers attached ropes to the Royal car and dragged it in triumph to the highway. Cheering was full-throated and continued until the Duke nad finally started for home. I