IN STRICKEN AREA

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1940, Page 7

IN STRICKEN AREA

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. British Official Wireless.

TOUR OF KING AND QUEEN FORCED TO TAKE COVER

Rugby, Sept. 11. The King and Queen took shelter under a police station this morning during an air raid warning while Their Majesties were on a tour of bombed areas in the south-east of London. Their Majesties first visited a block of flats where a direct hit was scored by a German bomb and a number of people werj killed. The King and Queen were deeply moved by what they saw. They conversed with bereaved persons, watched A.R.P. workers clearing wreckage and expressed warm appreciation of their work. As Their Majesties walked from the scene the Queen conversed with a group of women, many of whom had lost relatives ln the raids. As Their Majesties entered their car this group sang "There'll Always Be An England." "Hitler Ain't Got Us Down." ,;Proceeding to another place where a heavy calibre bomb completely demolished 12 houses on one side of a road and wrecked 12 others on the opposlte side, the Queen again spoke to a number of women, one of whom said: "Hitler knocked our house down, but he ain't got us down." Their Majesties both climbed over the debris to look into a huge crater which the bomb caused. As they walked down streets between wrecked or badly damaged houses both the King and Queen frequently stopped and spoke to people who told them their vlsit cheerea everyone up wonderfully. On woman said, to Their Majesties: "Hitler has to have a bodyguard wherever he goes, but you come down here just like this. God bless you and keep you." Their Majesties in another borough saw a church which was wrecked by German bombs and a block of flats damaged on Monday night. Everywhere throughout the three hours' tour the sympathy shown by Their Majesties was deeply appreciated. Their Majesties were much lmpressed by the wonderful spirit of the people.