Mayor Receives Letter of Thanks from Buckingham Palace

Harry Browning, Mayor of Bedford

Tuesday 2nd July 1918: Following the King and Queen’s visit to Bedford  last week Mr. Harry Browning, the Mayor of Bedford, has received this letter from Buckingham Palace:

“Dear Mr. Mayor, I am commanded to assure you how much pleased the King and Queen were to visit Bedford, and to show their appreciation of the part played by its citizens in the war. Their Majesties were glad to have this opportunity of seeing for themselves the work that is being carried on by all classes in the various war organisations, in the Schools, and in the workshops, and they were much gratified by the loyal welcome with which they were received everywhere and on all sides. It was especially interesting to the King and Queen to become associated with the Schools, which by worthily maintaining the name of their benefactor and founder, have given your town the prominent place it occupies today in the educational life of the country. In thanking you for all that was done to ensure the success of today’s proceedings, I am to add that their Majesties will ever cherish happy recollections of their visit to your Borough. Yours sincerely, Clive Wigram.”

 Source: Bedfordshire Standard, 5th July 1918

A Royal Visit to Bedford

Bedford Girls’ High School, 1905 [Z1130/9/2/3/25]

Thursday 27th June 1918: Bedford has been honoured today with a visit from the King and Queen. Their Majesties arrived in Bedford on the royal train at 11.00am and were met by a reception committee including the Mayor and Mayoress, the Lord Lieutenant and Mrs. Howard Whitbread, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, the Town Clerk, the Chief Constable and the Stationmaster. A guard of honour from the Royal Engineers presented arms and the national anthem was played by the Engineers’ Band. Their Majesties’ first visit was to W.H. Allen’s engineering works where the Guard of Honour was made up of men who had been in the firing line and those who had been discharged due to wounds. A tour of the works followed, to the delight of the girls employed there. A number of engines were seen in various stages of construction, as were dynamos for electric lighting; a very brief visit was paid to the Test House, where the vibration and noise of the running engines put paid to any attempts to speak; and the tour included the Women’s Dining Hall, where the mid-day meal was being prepared. Their Majesties were offered refreshments in the Board Room. Mr. Richard Allen said later that the King had expressed very great pleasure in what he had seen, and had especially remarked on the arrangements made for the welfare of the women.

At 12.00pm the royal party made its way to the High School, where they King and Queen were cheered by the girls as they entered the school hall. Outside in the grounds were a large number of old girls in V.A.D. uniforms. A beautiful bouquet of carnations was presented to the Queen by the head girl, Kathleen Tulloch. Their Majesties were then given a tour of three classrooms where lessons were in progress. The girls of the Modern School were also present, and their head girl, Hilda Howe, gave the Queen a bouquet of sweet peas.

From the High School the King and Queen moved on to the Town Hall for a civic reception, before returning to their train at the Midland Railway station for lunch. Their final visit in the town was Bedford School. Their route from the station was lined with cheering crowds, including hundreds of school children waving Union Jacks. On the way to the School their Majesties inspected a long line of wounded soldiers and their nurses, When they arrived they were greeted by the Headmaster, before the School Corps and the Officers Training Corps presented arms. Three cheers were given for both the King and the Queen before the School Corps formed up for a “March Past”. After the staff of the School were presented individually, the party moved to the edge of the cricket pitch where the staff and senior boys of the Modern School were gathered. The King spoke to these boys regretting that they had not been able to visit the Modern School, and congratulated Bedford School on its splendid record. He announcing that he wished to give the boys of both schools an extra week’s holiday to celebrate the royal visit. The Royal party returned to the station and left Bedford at 4.00pm.

Source: Bedfordshire Times, 28th June 1918

King George V Visits Luton

Women munitions workers at George Kent Ltd, 1916 [Z1306/75/17/20]

(Caption reads: "We are helping those who are helping us")

Tuesday 13th November 1917: The King has today honoured the town of Luton with an unexpected visit. The news that he would be making an informal visit was announced on Monday afternoon. He was met by the Mayor and the Town Clerk and paid a visit to various works including those of Messrs. George Kent Ltd. The King arrived shortly before 11.00 a.m. in the Royal car and left between 12.30 and 1.00 p.m. He is reported to be looking alert and fit, with no signs of his age except a little grey in his beard. He wore the uniform of a field marshal, with a black crepe band on his left sleeve as a symbol of mourning. The processes carried out in the first works visited so interested the King that he stayed for twice the expected time.[1]

At George Kent’s works the King was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. Again, he showed a keen interest in the work of the various departments. A number of discharged soldiers now working at Kent’s were drawn up in two ranks at the foot of the stairs, where they stood to attention when the King approached. He was also saluted by the officers of the Kent’s Corps of Girl Guides. Violet Golding, a young munitions worker who recently received the Order of the British Empire for her bravery in returning to work after she lost two fingers in an explosion, was also presented to the King. In one of the workshops he asked a young girl “How many of those can you do in the course of a day?” She answered, “I don’t know, Sir. We don’t count. We just carry on.” The King replied, “Capital. What is required of us is that we should carry on to the best of our ability.”

The King thanked the Mayor for his trouble, asked him about the hat industry in the town, and was pleased to hear that it was busy with both straw and felt hats. As the Royal car left for London the route was lined with sightseers.

Source: Luton News 15th November 1917

[1] The works was not named, but it is thought likely that it was the National Fuse Filling Factory at Chaul End. 

The King Appeals to His People

King George V [Wikimedia]

 Sunday 24th October 1915:

“At this grave moment in the struggle between my people and a highly organised enemy who has transgressed the Laws of Nations and changed the ordinance that binds civilised Europe together, I appeal to you.

I rejoice in my Empire’s effort, and I feel pride in the voluntary response from my subjects all over the world who have sacrificed home, fortune, and life itself, in order that another may not inherit the free Empire which their ancestors and mine have built.

I ask you to make good these sacrifices.  The end is not in sight. More men and yet more are wanted to keep my armies in the field, and through them to secure Victory and enduring Peace.

In ancient days the darkest moment has ever produced in men of our race the sternest resolve.

I ask you, men of all classes, to come forward voluntarily and take your share in the fight.

In freely responding to my appeal, you will be giving your support to our brothers, who, for long months, have nobly upheld Britain’s past traditions, and the glory of her Arms.”

George R.I.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle, 29th October 1915

Escaped Prisoners Presented to the King

Sergeant Alfred Birley with his son Peter

Saturday 25th March 1915: Sergeant Alfred Birley of Victoria Road, Bedford arrived home most unexpectedly on Thursday evening after escaping from Germany. He had been held as a prisoner-of-war since 29th October 1914 when he was captured at Ypres while trying to retake a lost trench. He was able to make his escape with a comrade, Private Haworth of the Coldstream Guards, who was previously a policeman in Lancashire. Unfortunately the most exciting parts of the story must remain secret for the time being as they have been forbidden to disclose the details of their adventures by the War Office. If the article which appeared in Wednesday’s Daily Chronicle is correct the two men cut through the barbed wire around the camp and walked to Holland, living for three days on nothing but apples.

Sergeant Birley has been able to tell his story to no less a person than His Majesty King George V. On Friday he received the news that he and his comrade were to be presented to the King; the Sergeant and his wife travelled to London today for that purpose. He was delighted with the interest that the King took in his adventures, saying: “I was much surprised at the way in which his Majesty put us at our ease. It was just like chatting with a friend. He congratulated us on the success of our venture, and showed by his conversation that he took a keen personal interest in the welfare of the British prisoners in Germany … Every now and then the King slipped in a quiet question, or broke out with a jolly laugh at some of the funny things. He really seemed to appreciate the sport of the thing.” His decision to escape was spurred by the news that his brother, who is a dispatch rider in France, had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, following which he thought “Well, if he could do that I’m going to do something”.

Sergeant Birley served in the Army for some years and spent time in South Africa. He was a reservist when the war broke out and immediately rejoined the 1st Gloucestershire Regiment. Although he is a native of Lancashire, the town of Bedford can almost claim him as one of its own. His wife is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Gibbs, of Victoria Road, and both he and his sisters have lived in Bedford. He has two sisters who have been teachers in the town, including the Miss Birley wo was formerly Head Mistress of the Priory Street Infants’ School. It is believed that Sergeant Birley will be speaking at a recruiting demonstration in Luton next Saturday.

Source: Luton News, 30th September 1915; Bedfordshire Times 1 October 1915

King George V Visits Bedford

 

Troops marching past the King at Bedford 22 October 1914 [Z1306/12/8/1]

Thursday 22nd October 1914: Bedford has today played host to His Majesty King George V. It became apparent last night that a review of the Highland troops was to be carried out by someone of importance. The soldiers were instructed to be at their parade points at 9.45 a.m. By this morning the news that the King was to visit had leaked out and spread round the town. Between nine and ten o’clock all the smartly turned out solders reached their assembly points; meanwhile large numbers of  enthusiastic civilians headed to  the  Midland Station and down the Bromham Road where the review was to be held in a large field between the Golf Course and the Bromham Road, opposite the first Biddenham Turn.

The first soldiers to arrive at the Golf Links were the Gordon Brigade, soon followed by the Scottish Horse. The Seaforth and Cameron Brigades started to arrive at about 10 a.m. They were followed by the Royal Garrison Artillery, the Royal Field Artillery, the Argyll Brigade, the Army Service Corps, the Royal Engineers and the Royal Army Medical Corps. Some arrived with bands playing and in some units the men were singing and whistling, but generally the tone was serious. By 11 a.m. all the troops were drawn up in an imposing array. The officers were on foot, except for the Scottish Horse, and no guns or wagons were on parade. The reserve regiment of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry also marched to the field off the Biddenham Road which is in use as their training ground, looking smart although many of the men do not yet have uniforms. Unfortunately although they formed up down the Biddenham Road when the King left they were not able to see His Majesty because of the large crowd.

The soldiers were joined by Bedford Grammar School boys who were given permission by General Allason to go into the field. Other boys came from the Modern School, and elementary children from Queen’s Park soon found the weak spots in the hedge between Bromham Road and the review ground. Many other members of the public also found good vantage points, the best position for a view being near No. 1 gate; this was within fifty yards of the spot from which the King watched the march past. A wounded officer, Lieutenant Stevens of the King’s Own Regiment, sat in a wicker chair just inside the gate.

The royal train arrived at 11.15am. The King stepped from the train, shook hands with Generals Sir Bruce Hamilton and Bannatine-Allason, acknowledged the salute of the other staff officers, and walked to his car to the cheers of the civilians and police. At 11.30 cheers were heard by the ground gathered at the review ground and a motor car was seen approaching. This turned out to be carrying only the Rev. S.B Phillpotts and some friends, but the royal car was not far behind. It was an open car, with King George and three officers seated inside. All four were wearing khaki uniforms, the King’s ornamented with a gold crown and insignia on the sleeves. He first inspected the troops, then walked across the main field towards the gate to the great delight of the wildly cheering crowd. The march past started at noon and lasted for an hour and a quarter. Section followed section in a snaking line, each headed by a band of pipers playing a march.

After a wet and miserable start the weather gradually cleared during the morning and it was mostly dry for the King’s visit. At about 12.45 p.m. a little rain fell and an officer brought a great coat for the King but the rain soon stopped and he was able to discard it. When all the troops had passed by the Mayor of Bedford, Mr H. Browning, was presented to the King, who said how pleased he was to hear that the town of Bedford had done so well for the soldiers. The Mayor complimented the behaviour of the troops and informed the King that the town was delighted to entertain them. The Chief Constable and various Brigade commanders were also introduced to His Majesty. The King then spotted the wounded officer in his seat, crossed over to him and shook hands with Lieutenant Stevens, who stood up and removed his hat. Seeing the officer’s bandaged head the King made him sit down again and replace his cap. They chatted together for some time. Rain then began to fall for a second time, this time more heavily. The King walked through the gate and back to his car to return to the station, from where he left the town to more loud cheering from his subjects.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 23rd October 1914

A Royal Inspection

Luton Hoo Park c.1906 [Z1306/75/10/62/3]

Friday 18th September 1914: Today King George V has paid a visit to Luton Hoo Park to inspect the North Midland Territorials who have been quartered in Luton.[1] His Majesty is said to take a very keen interest in the Territorials and has visited many of their training grounds since the Territorial Force was mobilised in August. Over four thousand officers and men marched to Luton Hoo for his visit. These men are all volunteers who have given up their normal lives and occupations for the sake of their country in its hour of need. Although most have only been in the army for a month or less they have been well trained and already look like professional soldiers rather than raw recruits.

The troops assembled on the polo ground at the Park which had been turned into a parade ground for the occasion. His Majesty arrived by motor car at 10.45. By this time the troops were chilled from standing in the cold wind and were clapping their hands in an attempt to keep warm, but as the King arrived the sun broke through the clouds and brightened the scene. There was a general salute and the National Anthem was played. His Majesty shook hands with the commanding officer, General Sir William Franklin, then walked through the lines, inspecting first the infantry, then the artillery, and finally the Royal Army Medical Corps. After the inspection the troops marched past the King accompanied at first by a tune from the band, then by a bugle and a beating drum. The march past took forty minutes to complete. The King is said to have been impressed with their soldierly bearing and appearance.

Source: Luton News 18/9/1914

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[1] The North Midland Division were inspected at Luton Hoo by another V.I.P., the War Minister Lord Kitchener, on 29th September [Source: Luton News 1/10/1914]