A CALL TO ARMS.
"The great Procession of Homage of Women War Workers received by the King and Queen in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace on Saturday last, when an address of congratulation upon their Silver Wedding was presented, was a magnificent success. Princess Mary was present in her uniform of Commandant-in-Chief of the V.A.D., and V.A.D. workers took precedence of all other branches of women's work, including the Trained Nurses of the Metropolitan Asylums Board led by Miss Ambler-Jones. The King's Reply to the Address, delivered in a resonant voice, was distinctly heard by some thousands of people present, and His Majesty spoke most sympathetically and appreciatively of the part played by women in the great war.
'The Queen and I,' said the King, 'are touched by the thought that the first expression of loyalty and devotion on the occasion of our silver wedding should come from this representative body of women who, by their services, have assisted the State in the full mobilization of its man power. In our visits to various centres we have had opportunities of seeing and appre- ciating the great part which the women of our land are taking in all branches of war service, and everywhere we have been filled with admiration at their achievements, an admiration which I believe to be shared by the whole nation.
'When the history of our country's share in the War is written no chapter will be more remarkable than that relating to the range and extent of women's participation. This service has been rendered only at the cost of much self-sacrifice and endurance.'
Referring to nurses and V.A.D. workers His Majesty said, 'They have often faced cheerfully and courageously great risks, both at home and overseas, in carrying on their work, and the Women's Army has its own Roll of Honour of those who have lost their lives in the service of their country. Of all these we think to-day with reverent pride.'
There should not be to-day an idle woman in the three kingdoms. All able-bodied women between the ages of eighteen and forty, not otherwise employed, should enrol themselves as full-time workers in one of the great organizations of those who are prepared to make every sacrifice in order to assist their country at this supreme crisis in its history."
Video showing some of the procession towards the palace:
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