Mexborough and Swinton Times January 31, 1936
Tributes to King George V – Denaby
Difficult Reign
A Steadfast Consort
Royal Ideal of Home Life
The memorial services to the late King, held at Denaby Parish Church on Sunday were impressive and were very well attended. The early celebration of Holy Communion had an attendance of 76. At the morning service the church will almost full, with representatives of the various public bodies present, including the St John Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Division, Scout, Rovers and Cubs, Church Lads Brigade, and Messrs Gomersall and Robison from the local Council and representatives of the various church organisations.
The service commence with the “Dead March in Saul,” played by the organist (Mr E Dabbs). The Psalms were the 23rd and the 90th and the hymns, “O God of Jacob” “Abide with Me” and “Let Saints on Earth.”
At the close of the service the National Anthem was sung.
The Vicar in his address said “We are met this morning under the shadow of a great loss. We are met to mourn the passing of not only a King, but a friend. The humble mining village is joining the cathedral and churches throughout the Empire in services of commemoration.
Memorable years
The 25 years of his Majesty reign have been 25 memorable years in which was realise the most momentous period of our nation’s history. There are been many wonders of science during this time. It was a first time a proclamation of a King had been broadcast and that a King had flown to claim a Kingdom. Our late King was associated with all sides and phases of history.
None of those will ever understand the strain of the War years and what they meant to him. He bore it more than we knew and he did it nobly, unselfishly and satisfactorily. He was a great King and we morning today as such, and yet you are something closer; a father to his people, a patriarch to his Empire. Surrounded by his family he spoke to all his subjects only a few weeks ago. Those speeches endeared him to those and we all looked forward to Christmas Day to hear his speech.”
I ask you this morning to remember to, the Royal family and especially our beloved Queen. The losses is great whether one is of royal rank or not and we pour the Giver of all Comfort to be near her in a dark hour of bereavement. She has stood by bravely in the last few days. She also stood by throughout the 25 years of his reign. She has indeed been a ever present help in times of trouble and they have taught the Nation and Empire what a beautiful thing home life can be. We should all take their lesson to heart.
Let us pray also for our new King; that he may ask for wisdom from God in the ruling of a Kingdom which presents many difficulties.”
The evening service was again of a commemorative character and was attended by the Chairman of the Urban Council (Mr R.H.Shephard) along with members and officials of the Council, the Denaby ex-servicemen and officials and members of the women’s section of the British Legion.
Miner’s Tribute
There was a good attendance at the Denaby Parish Church on Tuesday afternoon and the Vicar conducted a memorial service. The lesson was read in the vicar took a special form of prayer. At the close the National Anthem was sung.
At the local collieries and works a two-minute silence was strictly observed. All machinery was closed down and the employee stood in silence in respect for a beloved monarch. The men and boys forming the afternoon shift to wood standing at the colliery gates all doffed their caps and stood motionless during the silence.