Trinity College School - Record Yearbook (Port Hope, Ontario Canada)

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TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD 17 fact that it was the King and Queen bears a special signi- ficence. It was a wonderful experience and one that I suppose only comes about once in a lifetime. I was more than lucky as the Major fell sick, the 2 i-c was on leave and I had to take command of our company and accompany His Majesty while inspecting our men. He spoke to various ones asking where they came from, how long they had been in the army, how they liked Scotland and various other questions. He spoke to all the ex-soldiers and opened by asking them with whom they had served in the last War. The Queen followed close behind with General J. B. and she was even more talkative, asking whether we lived in huts, how we enjoyed the climate and various questions. After the men had been inspected, the Officers were lined up in review order and our District Commander in- troduced us all to His Majesty. The Queen followed, shook hands and said hello, then came the two Princesses who both offered their hands and said hello. Naturally all we did was nod the head. However when Margaret Rose came along it was too much of a temptation to say something so I let a quiet hello slip and she did not seem to mind terribly. The Queen had the same effect, that is when she spoke to you, you wanted very much to say something. She wore blue and the King was dressed up in a Cameron Kilt with the rank of Colonel. It seemed odd to see him with just the two pips and a crown up while there were a couple of red caps there with crowns and cross swords all over their shoulders. After the presentation we marched past and as we did it seemed to me that the Queen was looking just at me. Many people remarked the same thing, that when they came abreast to her it seemed that she was smiling directly at them. That ended the day, but it will be a day that I shall never forget. The Queen is really beautiful. She has such wonderful eyes and a gorgeous complexion. The King looked very well and had a wonder- ful sun tan. They both looked to have benefited well by

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16 TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD the way they herd these dumb sheep. That lasted all afternoon and we all retired early as reveille was at five- thirty the next morning. Again it had been a beautiful day, but a little cooler and we all prayed for a favourable Sunday. At last Sunday arrivedg at eighty-thirty We moved off all in one big convoy and arrived at the point of inspection. The inspection took from ten till half past eleven and need- less to say most of the time was spent standing very still. We lined up in close column of companies with the officers in review order with our company in front which meant I was in a vunerable spot where it was rather unwise to make a mistake. We waited from 1010 when the District Commander took over from his Adjutant till 1035 standing at ease with a lot of big shots walking around eyeing us while awaiting the Inspecting Officer. After the salute, he proceeded to inspect the companies one by one and it was live past eleven before he was finished, then the officers were lined up and presented to him. After that there was the march past with No. 2 Company leading and the officers marched on the left flank. That was all. We then got back in the trucks and it was after one when we arrived back for lunch. We were all very hungry as we had break- fast at six. The day was beautiful and not too hot. We were inspected on a beautiful estate and all in all it was a marvellous day with the whole inspection going off with- out the slightest hitch. Naturally I was rather nervous, but all the right com- mands seemed to come at the right time and quite a few people have congratulated me on my effort so I could not have done too badly. If Il i 8 Q Later As the King and Queen have now left Balmoral Castle, according to the papers, it can now be told that it was they who inspected us a week ago today. In my last letter I gave a fairly detailed description of the ceremony, but the

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18 TRINITY COLLEGE SCHOOL RECORD their rest at the castle. The two Princesses are very attrac- tive and little Margaret Rose still had the devil in her eye. While the King and Queen were inspecting us they stood at the saluting base with an elderly lady, another playmate and a naval oflicer. She was always talking and you could see she was just itching to let herself go and have some fun. I noticed that the King spoke very slowly but only stuttered a little Once while speaking to the men and as he went along, he seemed to gain confidence. I was only with him while he inspected our company, but the District Com- mander who accompanied him around all the companies made that observation. He, the General and Col. Jones had lunch with their Majesties after they had accompanied them to Church. Altogether it was a wonderful day and as I say one never to be forgotten. The men appreciated it very much and were all more than pleased with the honour and they did very well indeed by standing very steady the whole time. Let it never be said that the Empire is not bound together by the King. All you had to do was to see the enthusiasm he was greet- ed with when the men gave three cheers and the Way they trained before the inspection. There was a photographer there from the War Office and I understand that he took a great many pictures so that when they are passed by the War Oilice and then by the King, we shall be able to buy some. I think there was one of myself with His Majesty inspecting our men. 1-l-