ONE SURVIVOR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1942, Page 3

ONE SURVIVOR

FROM DUKE OF KENT’S PLANE REAR-GUNNER THROWN CLEAR WHEN MACHINE STRUCK HILLSIDE. ONE PASSENGER NOT YET ACCOUNTED FOR. LONDON, August 26. There is one survivor from the plane in which the Duke of Kent was killed yesterday. He is the rear gunner. He was thrown clear when the plane struck the hillside and in a semi-conscious condition walked three miles before he was found by some crofters. He is now in hospital. One passenger is not yet accounted for. Their Majesties received the news of the Duke of Kent’s death late last night. The news was also broken to the Duchess of Kent, who was away from London. Prince Edward is the Duke’s heir, but it is not certain whether he will become the Duke of Kent, because the King usually bestows Royal dukedoms, and they do not descend. COURT MOURNING TRIBUTES OF SYMPATHY & RESPECT .

FROM ALL OVER WORLD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, August 26. The Duke of Kent’s death has brought messages of sympathy and warm ’ appreciation of his services from places the world over. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary for Air, has conveyed to the King and the Duchess of Kent an expression of the deep sympathy of the Air Council, of all ranks of die R.A.F. and the W.A.A.F. and of .imself in the tragic loss to the Royal House. He expressed in particular the keen sense of gratitude of all ranks for the Duke’s devoted interest in furthering their wellbeing. His loss would be felt deeply, not only in this country but throughout the Empire. The Duke's Air Force duties had carried him many thousands of miles and all in the service were conscious of the benefits they now enjoyed as a result of his work of inspection, guidance and advice on welfare, matters. All those with whom he came into contact had been filled with respect, admiration and gratitude for the deep keenness with which he had served his country’s cause. The Duke of Abercorn, Governor of Northern Ireland, in a message to the King, expressed the heartfelt sympathy of the people of Northern Ireland, stating that the late Duke’s visits to Northern Ireland had been an inspiration to all there and had left happy memories behind. The Governor also sent messages to the Duchess of Kent and to Queen Mary. Mr J. Andrew, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland .referred to the Duke’s death in Parliament and said his visits to Ireland had set an example of service and self-sacrifice never to be forgotten. The Army Council, in messages of sympathy to the King, the Duchess of Kent and Queen Mary, stated: “The council gratefully recalls the keen interest always displayed by the Duke of Kent in all aspects of the activities and welfare of the Army, in which he held the rank of major-general, and of two of whose regiments he was cob' onel-in-chief. All ranks of the Army mourn the loss of one who set a fine example of devotion to duty and who has given his life while serving his country.” “Tire high sense of duty and devotion to arduous responsibilities” of the Duke of Kent are recalled by General Smuts in a message to the King. The Governor-General of South Africa has also sent a message of condolence. In Britain General Sikorski and M. Jovanovitch are among those who have expressed their sympathy. General Sikorski recalled that the Duke of Kent was to have visited the Polish armed forces on September 8. “Poland has suffered a grievous loss,” he concluded. M. Jovanovitch went to Buckingham Palace to oiler the condolences of the Yugoslav Government. The Court will go into mourning for four weeks, beginning today. NEW ZEALAND REGRET GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S MESSAGE TO THE KING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral has dispatched the following message to his Majesty the King. _ * “I beg to express to your Majesty, with my humble duty, the respectful sympathy of the Government and peoples of New Zealand on the death of his Royal Highness the Duke ol Kent, the news of which has been received with the deepest regret by your Majesty’s subjects in this Dominion. TT >, (Signed) C. L. N. NEWALL. A BELOVED PRINCE SYMPATHY OF PEOPLE ! OF DOMINION. EXPRESSED BY ACTING-PREMIER. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Expressing the sympathy of the Government in the death, of the Duke of Kent, the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Sullivan, said yesterday:— “Every citizen of New Zealand and all its armed forces overseas todaywill feel the most profound regret at the death of the Duke of Kent in an air accident, while en route from the United Kingdom to Iceland. His Royal Highness was on a war service mission, and for that reason alone all those who have suffered the sad effects of warfare will share a deeper sorrow . We live in an age of hazards and abrupt tragedies. He was only 39 years of age. “The esteem in which the youngest son of the late King George V was held was won by his charm of peisonality, not only as a Prince but as a man of the people. He was popular with his

fellow-men. This was demonstrated throughout his early career in the Royal Navy and also during the genial fulfilment of his duties. We all recall the delight and goodwill of the marriage in the autumn of 1934 to Princess Marina. Subsequently he was esteemed as a model family man, a trait which marked the life of his father, and one which appeals to the hearts of British people. • “Just before the present war there had been a prospect of his Royal Highness visiting New Zealand and taking part in its Centennial celebrations. In fact, all arrangements had been made for the contemplated visit, but the advent of war intervened and deprived oui" people of their keenly anticipated pleasure. “And now, like many thousands of splendid men who have sacrificed their lives to uphold the cause of British freedom, justice and peaceful progress, a beloved Prince has passed on active service from the ways of men. “It will be realised today that there is poignancy of grief in the Royal household. A widow Princess weeps in common with a multitude of wives and mothers of sons throughout the vast realms of the King. There will be a quick expression of deep and sincere sympathy. “As their Majesties the King and Queen are to the people in this era of strife and violent war, so will all the people be to the Royal Family in this their hour of sorrow. “The Government joins with the citizens of the Dominion in expressing its profound sympathy with the bereaved Duchess of Kent and the members of the Royal Family.” FATAL CRASH IN DESOLATE COUNTRY. DUKE TO BE BURIED AT WINDSOR (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 2G. The Duke of Kent’s plane, after flying sixty miles, crashed in desolate country. Search parties went out immediately news of the crash was received. The occupants of the plane numbered fifteen. The Duke of Kent’s body was taken to a Highland castle in a funeral with full military honours. He will be buried in the Royal vaults beneath Saint George’s Chapel, Windsor.