King and Queen Tour Bombed Districts

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 217, 13 September 1940, Page 7

King and Queen Tour Bombed Districts

“HITLER AIN’T GOT US DOWN,’> SAYS VICTIM RUGBY, Sept. 11. The King and took shelter under a police station this morning during an air raid warning wiiicJi occurred wniio their Majesties were on a tour of the bombed areas of South-East Loudon. Their Majesties first visited a block of fiats where a direct hit had been scored by a German bomb and a number of people were killed, and were deeply moved by what they saw. They then conversed with bereaved persons. They watched A.R.P. workers clearing tho wreckage, and expressed warm appreciation of their work.

As their Majesties walked from the scene, the conversed with a group of women, many of whom had lost relatives in the raids. As their Majesties entered tbeir car, this group sang ‘ * There ’ll Always be an Enggland. ’ ’ Proceeding to another place where a hcavy-calibro bomb had completely demolished 12 houses on one side of the road and wrecked 12 others opposite, the again spoke ro a number oi women, one of whom said: * 4 Hi'tler has knocked our house down, but he ain’t got us down I ” Their Majesties both climbed over the debris to look into tho huge crater which tho bomb had caused. As they walked down tho streets between wrecked or badly-damaged houses, both the King and hjueen frequently stO£)ped and sxioke to the people, who told them that their visit had cheered everyone up wonderfully. Ouo woman said to their Majesties:

“Hitler has to have a bodyguard wherever he goes, but you eumo down here just like this. God bless you and keep you.” Tneir Majesties in another borough saw a churcii which had been wrecked by German bombs, aud also a block of fiats damaged on Monday night. Everywhere throughout the threehour tour, tho sympathy shown by their Majesties was deeply appreciated. Their Majesties were much impressed by the wonderful spirit of the people.