OUR article this week, part two of the story of the Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Bathurst, shows the Duke chatting in front of the Bathurst Court House on Tuesday, November 27, 1934.
Local reporters thought the Prince looked bright and fresh and somewhat bronzed, the Australian sun having created the tan-like colour.
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They noted he had a buttonhole, a pale pink carnation. His quiet dignity, charm and grace, together with his arresting physique, at once was made manifest and assured him of remarkable popularity.
He was escorted by the mayor to the official car, a new Austin, outside the railway and the pair occupied the back seats, chatting breezily, while the Duke’s private secretary was in front with T. Johnson, one of the official chaffeurs on the royal tour.
The Prince’s car, with the royal entourage in cars behind, moved along Keppel Street.
At the William Street intersection, entry was made to Machattie Park through the Busby Memorial Gates and the fleet of cars proceeded over the winding pathways past the fountain and rotunda, progress being made through the Webb Memorial Gates.
The drive continued down George to Russell Street and thence along to the official stand. The Prince inspected the guard of honour by E. Company of the 54th Battalion, under Capt. Stratton.
The mayor officially welcomed the Duke, which was followed by cheering and hearty applause. The Duke replied and thanked the mayor.
Interesting formality ensued when the mayor presented mayoral guests to the Duke, who graciously shook hands. The order of their presentation was: Miss Mollie Garland, niece of the mayor, who acted as mayoress, Lieut. Col. Browning and Mrs Browning, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Crotty, Anglican Bishop of Bathurst, and Mrs Crotty, Cr McKenzie, president of Abercrombie Shire Council, and Mrs McKenzie, Cr W.H. Berry, president of Turon Shire Council, and Miss Berry, Cr Cunynghame, president of Oberon Shire Council, and Mrs Cunynghame, Ald Boyd and Mrs Sheaves, Ald W. H. Kennerson and Mrs Kennerson, Ald C. A. Hansard and Mrs Hansard, Ald H. J. Harris and Mrs Harris, Ald J. W. Tremain and Mrs Tremain, Mrs J. K. Middlemiss, wife of the town clerk, and Mr E.W. Priddle (city engineer) and Mrs Priddle.
Leaving the dais, the Prince met Mr B. Gregg, president of the local sub-branch of the RSL, and inspected the Diggers, numbering 150, with some wearing their war decorations.
He was taken right through the ranks of the school children, Girl Guides, the Scouts and Cubs.
Returning to the dais, the mayor announced amid excitement among the children that the Prince had an important announcement to make to them.
“I have asked that the school-children should have an extra holiday to be determined by the teachers,” the Duke said to deafening cheers from the children.
The official welcome and inspections over, the Prince re-entered his car, which was surrounded by hundreds who cheered lustily and waved flags as he moved off. Along the street, hundreds were en-masse and gave parting cheers.
Before boarding the train, the mayor introduced His Royal Highness to a number of citizens who were there to join in the farewell. They were Messrs A.T. Tipping, C.M. Podmore, W.T. Bell, C.N. Barker, C.Y. Callaghan, C.A. Turner, A. Crowe. J.K. Middlemiss, G. Wilkins, MALKA., Dr. Stack and J. Hart. He also met Mr A.W. Thompson, the stationmaster. The Prince puffed contentedly on a cigarette while awaiting the trains.
The National Advocate newspaper felt “that the honour bestowed on Bathurst and the magnificent and gay spirited spectacle of the citizens joined together in their united and devoted thousands to greet the Royal visitor would be a cherished and abiding memory”.
