IN THE BOMBED AREAS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21216, 12 September 1940, Page 7

IN THE BOMBED AREAS

TOUR BY KING AND QUEEN IMPRESSED BY PEOPLE’S WONDERFUL SPIRIT HITLER’S BODYGUARD—BRITISH ROYALTY’S FREEDOM (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 12, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 11 The Kihg 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 in 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 they were deeply moved by what they saw and conversed with bereaved persons. They watched air raid precaution workers clearing the 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. 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 hasn’t got us down.” Their Majesties both climbed over the debris to look into a huge crater which the bomb had caused. As they walked down the streets between wrecked or badly damaged houses the King and Queen frequently stopped and spoke to people, who told them that their visit had cheered everyone up wonderfully. One 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, also a blbck of flats damaged on Monday night. Everywhere throughout the three hours’ tour tK'e sympathy shown by Their Majesties was deeply appreciated. Their Majesties were much impressed by the wonderful spirit of the people.