THEIR MAJESTIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 September 1940, Page 5

THEIR MAJESTIES

VISIT TO BOMBED AREAS SYMPATHY WITH BEREAVED PEOPLE. EAST ENDERS SHOW WARM APPRECIATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, September 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 the bombed areas of South-East London. Their Majesties first visited a block of flats where a direct hit was scored by a German bomb, and a number of people were killed, and were deeply moved by what tney saw. They conversed with bereaved persons. They 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 in the raids and, as their Majesties entered their car, this group sang: ‘•There’ll Always be an England.” Proceeding to another place, where a heavy-calibre bomb had completely demolished twelve houses on one side of the road and wrecked twelve others opposite, 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 debris to look into a huge crater which had been caused. As they walked down the streets between wrecked or badly-damaged houses, both the King and Queen frequently stopped and spoke to people, who told them that their visit had cheered everyone up wonderfully. One of the women 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 had been wrecked by German bombs and also a block of flats damaged on Monday night. Everywhere, throughout the three hours’ tour, the sympathy shown by their Majesties was deeply appreciated and their Majesties were much impressed by the wonderful spirit of the people. AMERICAN HELP RED CROSS GENEROSITY. WASHINGTON. September 10. The Red Cross, without delay, is shipping to London half a million garments and large stocks of medicines and beds. It has also cabled funds to purchase canteens, etc.