DLA095-0120  Transcription

‘Rumanian Queen’s Message to English Boys. Private Reception in Artist’s Studio’, Daily Chronicle, 6 June 1924

Through the editors of “Our Paper,” the “official organ of Comerford Sports Club, Brockley,” Kent, English boys have been honoured with a private reception by the Queen of Rumania. Her Majesty, who left London yesterday on her return journey to Bucharest, has also written them a special message for the June issue.

First of all there came a letter from King George accepting a copy of "Our Paper," and forwarding a contribution to the club funds. Next came a command to attend at Mr. de Laszlo’s studio, where they found the Queen of Rumania giving a sitting “attired in a gorgeous robe and wearing many jewels, with the Royal crown resting on her wealth of fair hair [3200].”

After a chat about their little enterprise and “an affectionate pat on the shoulder for Will Jeffery,” who is joint editor with Mr. W. F. Pibworth, her Majesty expressed her intention of writing a message from the boys of Rumania to the boys of Great Britain.

SENSE OF FAIR PLAY.

This has taken the following form:—

Since all times have the boys of England been an example for other boys all the world over.

Their sense of honour, of fair play, the wonderful spirit predominating in their public and private schools is the envy of every other nation.

One of our own sons was brought up at Eton and he blesses every hour he spent there which taught him to be a man. I, for one, was happy and proud to know him amongst English boys, whose spirit he can carry with him into that distant country which is now mine.

We are living through a period of stress where many things change, some for the better, some for the worse; I only hope that the spirit of the boys of England will remain the same.

Through me the boys of Rumania send this message to the boys of England:

A greeting from over the seas to those whom we hope will always remain to us the same fine example as they have been since generations. We all need your clean spirit, we boys of far-off countries. We have learnt your sports, adopted your games, your love of outdoor life, we try to follow your keen sense of honour, and one day when things become easier we hope to come in larger numbers to learn in your schools.

MARIE.

MD

20/11/2007