Photo: Victoria Cross Holders' Reunion
(ACC 91-55 Box 55.5.14) Image size 34KB
88 North Side, Clapham Common, S.W.4, June 22nd, 1918
My dear Louie,
On Tuesday I got a wire from George saying he was in England on leave and staying at Esher.... Last night George dined with me at my Club and this morning Fred and I went to Buckingham Palace to see him get his V.C. and M.C. at the hands of the King. I got tickets from the Lord Chamberlain's office entitling us to good seats and about 9.30 I called for George at the Grosvenor Hotel where he was staying for the night. We drove together to the Palace, and George went within whilst I joined Fred in the seats in the inner quadrangle of the Palace. There was a raised Dais in front covered with an awning. A little after 10.30 the King came and we all stood - he and officers at the salute, we bare headed, whilst the band played the National Anthem. Then, first of all to be decorated came George. He saluted and stood at attention before the King, looking a very fine soldier indeed, all that the proudest mother and sister could wish. An officer, Colonel Clive Wigram I believe, read out the official account of the award as it was recorded in the papers at the time. Then the King hung the crosses on his breast and stood chatting to him for a few moments. Then he shook hands with him, and G.R.P. saluted and left by the other steps of the Dais. Presently he came out and joined us in the seats. I asked him what the King had said - he enquired if he was healed of his wound, how long it was before he had it dressed, whether he was returning to France and when.
There were four V.C.'s given and after that many decorations and orders - 300 in all I believe - but we did not wait till the end.... We drove George to his tailors, then back to the Hotel, after which he was going to the old school at Berkhamsted and then on to Watford to dine and sleep. On Monday he is going to the camp at Witley and on Tuesday returns to France... He is just as nice as ever, not a bit like the rather hideous pictures which appeared some time ago in the papers, ever so much better looking....
Yr affect Bro. W.A. Pearkes
(ACC 74-1 Box 10.4)
