THE KING AT THE FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1918, Page 3

THE KING AT THE FRONT.

PATHOS AND HUMOUR

LONDON, March 31

The King left London on Thursday, visited the troops on the West front and returned to London on Saturday evening. Renter’s correspondent at British Headquarters writes:— 1 accompanied the King during his whole tour. The King congratulated the hale and cheered up the wounded men. The royal mission throughout was admirably fulfilled. The King” had a rough sea passage. He commenced his tour on a small town in Northern France, where various staff officers and corps commanders were presented to him. Throughout the journey the King moved amongst divisions going to and from the front, and ho chattered in an animated manner with men from the trenches about their experiences.

When the King visited Sir Douglas Haig lie was received by a guard oi honour composed of the 17th Lancers and headquarters troops. He proceeded thence to the headquarters of the Royal Air Service, where the King heard at first-hand the wonderful feats of the airmen. He inspected machines and workshops.

Proceeding in a motor car, the King chanced upon a Scottish regiment resting by the wayside. He chatted with the officers, and 1 evinced great interest in a .veteran pipe-major with 35 years experience.

Next he visited and inspected and chatted with a labour battalion. Thence, unexpectedly, he met a mach-ine-gun company. A non.com, was called out and presented to his Majesty, who bad heard of its daring deeds. This non-com had maintained a position whence he could enfilade .500 yards of trpneli, packed with the enemy, until the Germans were behind him. Then the non-com swung rotmd his machine-gun, and ploughing a way through them, took up a fresh position. He continued firing until the rest of his team were casualties, and all his ammunition was spent.

At another stage the King remarked to his aide-de-camp: “This brings homo the meaning of an offensive indeed.”

At a vast casualty clearing station the King walked along the linos of stretchers bearing huddled figures, and ordered a medical officer to carry on. “Let there he no pause on my account,” he added. At a certain aerodrome his Majesty inspected the American section, and congratulated them upon their smart ap nearanee. He announced, amidst applause, that be had ’'"stowed the Victoria Cross upon Unmoral McCudden, the airmen, on Saturday. The King talked to motor ’bus drivers, some of whom helm'd to frustrate the enernv a item of. '-.-cinCur" Vin>v Ridrre with seven picked divisions, including mert of the Prussian Guards. He visited a resting battalion, and heard a valorous tale of bow they b.-'d up a tremendous onslaught for three hours until the German commander ' back a. message, which fell into "nr hands, that he was unable to make headway, owing to the resistance.