Sent in by Jim Reed, Hedge End, Southampton.

The 70th Anniversary of the Royal Visit by their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada, America and Newfoundland, May 17th to June 17th 1939

The later half of 1938 was a period of deep concern to Great Britain and the World, with dark clouds of a War always prominent. The Abdication of King Edward V1ii on December 11th 1936 had ended a period of utter dismay to the Crown and her People, although some Americans were disappointed that there was not going to be an American citizen as the Queen of England and her Empire.

With Prince Albert being proclaimed King on December 12 1936, followed by the Coronation on May 12th 1937, a period of loyalty and stability to the Crown had at last been restored.

With Europe, the position of a forthcoming War seemed imminent and a little less tension came when our Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, returned on September 30th 1938 from a meeting at Munich with Adolf Hitler with a signed agreement and a promise of "peace for our time”.

No one could ever believe that this would be so and the dreaded word "appeasement" had reared its head, However, the preparations for War with Germany which had started many months and years before was intensified in every possible way.

Meanwhile our young and new Sovereigns were carrying out their duties at this critical time in our history, In the post years our great and loyal Dominium of Canada had on several occasions invited the reigning Monarchs to visit and stay there but these were never accepted and visits were carried out by other members of the Royal Family.

It now seemed the right time for our reigning Sovereigns to visit this very loyal to the Crown country and planning started from both sides of the Atlantic to make it a most memorable visit forging an even greater bonding of loyalty, friendship and goodwill. These sentiments were also to be shared with America also with a visit of four days. The visit was scheduled from early May 1939to late June 1939.

The main preparation rested with The Royal Navy whose duty was the safety of the Monarchs on their two way passage across the Atlantic. HMS Repulse, one of our most powerful battle cruisers was chosen to act as the Royal Yacht and so started in Portsmouth Dockyard a refitting programme to accommodate the King and Queen and about 60 members of the party. This work was stopped nearer the departure date when it was decided with the full approval of the King, that with the political position still serious, that it was not the time to send her outside home waters.

The next decision was to charter as the Royal Yacht, the Canadian Pacific liner "Empress of Australia" for the journey to Quebec. This ship had an interesting start of her career, built at Emden, before and during the Great War and named first as "The Admiral Von Tirpitz", later renamed "Tirpitz", After the War, under the war reparations of Germany, she was towed to Leith and completed, sailing under the name of "Empress of China" and later her final name "Empress of Australia", It was said, that after winning the War, the German Kaiser would use her as his yacht and watch the surrender of The Royal Navy.

The escorts chosen were the almost new 6" Gun Cruisers, HMS Southampton and HMS Glasgow, HMS Repulse, perhaps as a goodwill gesture, escorted her for three days and returned to harbour.

On the 6th May 1939, the King and Queen and a party of 60 staff and officials left Waterloo Station amidst hundreds of farewells and the Government's best wishes, to Portsmouth Station, where they were driven to the Dockyard and boarded the chartered Royal Yacht CPR Empress of Australia. Amongst the many farewells and well wishers were the two Royal Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret who would stay at home.

The Liner sailed PM to Portland where units of the Royal Navy fired a Royal salute of twenty one guns and then proceeded to the Atlantic. The cruiser escorts HMS Southampton and HMS Glasgow took up their positions on the port and starboard bow. HMS Repulse positioned astern but would return to Portsmouth after three days.

In the Atlantic, the flotilla met rough weather, with forces of eight to twelve gales. This required a reduction of speed of all ships to avoid damage and for safety reasons, Thick fog further slowed down the ships for some days, The ice fields and icebergs which had blown further south than usual for the time of year caused further delays with the ships hove to at times, When possible, the escort's Walrus Amphibian Aircraft carried out reconnaissance flights of the route, When the Aircraft reported sixty miles of clear water ahead, the flotilla returned to scheduled speeds. The first signs of a welcome came as the flotilla passed through the Atlantic fishing grounds, by the Milford Fishing Fleet with klaxons, whistles and waving. All acknowledged by the King and signals exchanged. One other incident, when hoved to in the ice, was an operation for appendix symptoms when two surgeons came over in the Glasgow's boat from the liner to operate on a member of the crew successfully, Surgeons returned to the liner and a basket of fruit, no flowers, was sent by the Queen for the patient. This Royal gift was quickly liberated to another source, of course, on behalf of the patient.

The ships proceeded through the Cabot Straights into the Gulf of St Lawrence and were joined by two Canadian Atlantic Fleet Destroyers, HMCS Skeena and HMCS Saguenay on May 16th, "Skeena" taking command as flag ship of the flotilla and led it through the Gulf of St Lawrence and into the River St Lawrence. May 17, the Empress of Australia entered Wolfe's Cove and moored at the especially prepared jetty at Quebec.

This leg of the passage across the Atlantic to Quebec experienced far worse weather and conditions for this time of the year and there was a feeling of relief all round. The crossing had taken eleven days, May 6" to May 17th and was two days late. One can only imagine the worry and frantic re arrangements that had to be made, but there were no signs that any problem had existed, except perhaps the dark patches under their eyes, The first ever British Reigning Monarch was ready to step on North American soil at Quebec, Dominium of Canada on May 17 1939.

The Royal Yacht had very efficiently carried out her unusual duties in difficult conditions and now, was to renew her normal schedule, HMS Southampton and HMS Glasgow would now leave Quebec and carry out exercises, and show the flag" visits until reunited again for the trip home.

On May 17th amongst vast crowds of Canadians and French Canadians at Quebec, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King and the Minister of Justice, boarded the liner to give the nation's welcome to the Sovereigns. At 10.35 am, The King with his consort Queen Elizabeth stepped ashore to a military band playing "God save the King" and a Guard of Honour followed by presentations of officials, Lieutenant Governor of Canada, and Premier of Quebec. A car took them to Quebec's Legislature, the first of nine Legislatures (Provincial Assemblies). Several hundred notables were waiting in the Red Chamber, which had two thrones. Loyal addresses by the Premier and Mayor of Quebec followed and forty dignitaries were presented to the King. The car then proceeded the short drive to the Citadel, their residence. A luncheon followed with three hundred strong Canadian Officials, first time since the Confederation of 1867 that all Privy Councilors of Canada had come together and the first time assembled in the presence of the King, with speeches and the King's broadcast speech in French. Later, came a nine mile drive to the Plains of Abraham, the scene of the victorious battle between Wolf e and Montcalm. At the National Battlefield Park, more than sixty thousand people gathered, also a choir of twenty five thousand children sang the National Anthem in English and French. The Guard of Honour was the Corps of Boys. There were uniforms everywhere, soldiers, police, the Mounties, guides and scouts, nuns and priests with thousands waving their flags. Then it was on to tea at the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec's residence, then back to the Citadel. There was dinner, later, given by the Quebec Government with no speeches permitted.

Early next day, May l8", they drove to the railway station, amongst vast crowds in their thousands, and then boarded the Royal Train, with twelve cars painted in Royal Blue and Silver, referred to as "Buckingham Palace on Wheels". This was to be their residence with all facilities and their private staff for the next twenty nine days inclusive, They would then have traveled nine thousand, one hundred and fifty miles and visited twenty six cities and nine provinces of Canada and crossed Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back.

There was also a second train with twelve cars called the Pilot Train which was the residence of some of the Royal party, the Press and Photographers and Film Makers. The Press would be about forty five to start to fifty five at the finish. This train had to leave all stations thirty minutes before the Royal Train.

The visit to Canada has scheduled stops, unscheduled stops, slowing down of the train, use of the observation platform at the end of the train, and walkabouts. It was to be the most filmed and photographed Royal visit ever taken, most carefully recorded and published. It was now possible to photograph AM, viewed PM, and published the next day in Canada and abroad. The meticulous planning for the months before had been scrutinised in every detail by the Canadian Prime Minister, Mackenzie King. He would accompany the King and Queen for the whole of the Canadian tour.

The tour to Canada would take in the following places:-

The end of a journey of thirty two days of visits and the two Atlantic crossings of seventeen days, total of seven weeks.

The two cruisers departing in the Solent to join the Fleet on war exercises and preparations for War.

On September 3rd 1939 World War II started, only ten weeks and three days later.

This Royal tour produced many highlights where ever the King and Queen visited, and are well documented in Canada and this country by a large group of professional photographers and press men. The whole atmosphere in the places they visited was astonishing with thousands and thousands of people of all ages shouting, waving flags and their arms, They came from everywhere Canadians, French Canadians, Americans, Red Indian tribes and more. They came from the cities, the towns, the plains, the prairies etc travelling hundreds of miles by train, by car, trucks, wagons, farm vehicles, buggies and many just walking. Some places had doubled their population and more, with the massive influx of people loyal to the King and Crown. Crowds formed by the rail tracks just to see the Royal Train pass or on many occasions the train slowed down with their Majesties waving from the observation platform at the end of the train. Unscheduled short stops were also made. The main highlights throughout, must go to all those loyal people and subjects with their greetings, their patience and the loyalty shown to the Monarchs. Just two examples were:-

1. Toronto, where 2 million people turned out including 110,000 children.
2. New York, where 3.5 million people assembled through the city when they drove to the New York's world fair.

How can anyone express the wonder of this tour? But one must always remember what was accomplished. The loyalty, goodwill and friendship was forged stronger than ever before to the King of Canada and his subjects. This meant so much to everyone at the time of an imminent war, In the USA the strengthening of our bonds of friendship and cooperation was to be a contribution which the future would soon prove. The nations felt justly proud of the King and Queen for the very successful visit and good and honest feelings they had shared with so many.
Other important highlights were:¬-
•    Trois rivieres. 15 minute visit, walkabouts, 80,000 crowds, many war veterans, dignitaries and the Mayoress loyal address.
•    Montreal. Tribes of Indians in full dress welcome the great white father and mother, 14,000 English speaking children at their hotel, A 23 mile drive through the city by car, 1 million lined the route, militia and blue bereted veterans crowded on stands, kerbs, verandahs roofs etc. At the stadium 35,000 children greeted the King and Queen, 1000 of them wore red white and blue dresses forming a huge Union Jack. At their departure, 5000 waving and singing God save the King,
•    Ottawa. Crowds had cheered from station to station on the route. Greetings from the Governor General and address from the Mayor of the capital. On the official day there were two impressive ceremonies.

The unveiling and dedication of the National War Memorial by the King. This was the most stirring event of the royal tour, remembering the 60,000 lives lost in the Great War and even more casualties. Thousands of people bowed their heads prayed and wept. Thousands of war veterans and other citizens assembled. The memorial was named "The Response”. At Landsdowne Park 10,000 school children, sick and handicapped and seniors were present.

Next came the laying of the corner stone of Canada's new Supreme Court building by the Queen, speaking first in French and then in English, 50,000 people assembled and cheered the drive through the French city of Hull. 40,000 cheering the King and Queen on the hotel balcony. Thousands assembled at the departure of the train lining the streets, At Brockville and Cornwall over a 100,000 people. Train slowed down, King and Queen waving from observation platform.

•    Toronto. Civic and provincial receptions. 50,000 children assembled, the drive through the city with hundreds of thousands cheering. The Royal train resumed its original schedule making up the two days late at Quebec, some smaller stops having been reduced to just slow speed through them.
•    Winnipeg. Through the Province of Manitoba thousands cheering crowds, station after station through lined streets and memorials all handsomely decorated, many Americans in the crowds. Welcome was given by the Premier of Manitoba.
•    Regina. Province of Saskatchewan. Vast crowds assembled, probably over one third of foreign origin. The crowds broke through the cordons to get a clear view of their Majesties.
•    Calgary. A long drive to the exhibition grounds, welcomed by thousands of school children. An Indian encampment had been built with tepees, warriors, and squaws. Papooses in their native costume of the Black Foot, Blood, Stoney Peigan and Sarcee tribes. Tribes of Indians chanted and danced and proclaimed the King "Pipe Chief”.
•    Vancouver. The city was decorated with floral arches. A welcome at the City Hall and Reception, a choir of ten thousand voices sang "God save The King" and "O Canada",
•    Victoria B.C, Visit by boat, gala decorations everywhere and cheering masses.

The most moving scenes and most eloquent of all were the groups of people waiting for hours in the dead of night on station platforms just to catch a glimpse of the Blue and Silver Royal Train passing. A wonderful tribute of devotion and loyalty,

•    USA. Tens of thousands of Americans lined the rail tracks from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, just to see the train on its journey to Washington, At the White House, speeches were made by President Roosevelt with the Kings' reply, A reception at The British Embassy received by the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, A visit to Mount Vernon where the King laid a wreath on the Tomb of George Washington, a further wreath was laid at the Arlington National Memorial. On the Royal route, thousands of Americans lined Fourteenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The Royal couple boarded the U.S destroyer 'Wanington" to take them to New York, This was the first American War Ship in history to fly the Royal Banner. A drive through New York City to the New York's World Fair saw three and a half million assembled, including the west side and along the Hudson River, Visits were made to the different country's pavilions of exhibitions. They met two hundred British ex servicemen residing in or near New York.
•    St John N.B. With an extended drive, vast crowds in their thousands warmly greeted them.
•    Halifax N,S. This is the end of the train tour where they boarded the chartered Royal Yacht CPR "Empress of Britain" Vast crowds shouting "we want the King", a hundred and fifty thousand to say farewell with a twenty one gun salute, having travelled nine thousand one hundred and fifty miles.
•    Newfoundland. Went ashore at Holyrood near St John's harbour on a one day visit, The first time a Sovereign had visited Britain's oldest Colony, Warm greetings were given by the Governor, Dignitaries, Fishermen and Citizens, A drive saw three thousand children, church lads brigade, boy scouts and girl guides, Over two thousand came to Portugal Cove to cheer the Sovereigns.

Newfoundland joined the Confederation in 1949 and is now part of Canada,

The two Cruisers, who had escorted the chartered Royal Yacht from Portsmouth to Quebec, HMS Southampton and HMS Glasgow, left Quebec shortly after the arrival. They proceeded together, further south, carrying out exercises and drills, with goodwill visits to St John's New Brunswick, Newfoundland, New York and Halifax. The King and Queen came aboard the Cruisers for an inspection in Conception Bay N.F.

At New York, the warships stayed about a week, being open to visitors when possible, the crews being made most welcome with free admissions to The World's Fair and free of charges in a lot of places, The ships were open to visitors with hundreds coming aboard, The crew was stationed throughout the ship to talk and answer the many questions given to them. The boys seemed to have special treatment, mostly organized by the Mother's Institutes taking groups of boy on trips to see the sights and always giving them big eats. They must have thought they were suffering from malnutrition. I had just turned seventeen years old at the time, five feet three inches and about seven stone, so perhaps they had a point, however misled.

Another interesting event in New York was the fact that each cruiser had been carrying forty million pounds of gold bullion and was unloaded with a mass of armed guards present. Everything was top secret, but talks was that it was on the way to Fort Knox, for either to hold as our gold reserve or perhaps paying Canada for the last of her War Loans to us   who knows?

On June Seventeenth 1939, the chartered Royal Yacht CPR 'Empress of Britain" weighed anchor in Conception Bay with two escorting cruisers departing for Southampton and arriving six days later, In the Solent, the liner stopped to take on board the two Princesses to join their parents. They had a tumultuous reception at Southampton and also Waterloo Station and Buckingham Palace on their return. An end of a journey of thirty two days of visits and seventeen day of Atlantic crossing, a total of seven weeks.

World War II was to start seventy three days later. The cruisers departed in the Solent and sailed North for War exercises and preparations. Leave was to be sometime later in the War and all our adventures forgotten,

The fates of the five ships most involved were:-

"Empress of Britain" - 28th October1940 bombed by German aircraft then torpedoed by U32 off the coast of Ireland and sunk, the largest British Merchant ship lost in WWII.

"Empress of Australia" - as a troop ship survived the war

"HMS Repulse", battle cruiser - sunk by Japanese in Malaysia 10th December 1941.

"HMS Southampton" - bombed 10th January 1941, western Mediterranean, scuttled the next day.

"HMS Glasgow" - survived the War after being hit by two torpedoes bombing and shells from shore batteries.

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