British Pathe

Buckingham Palace, London. 1950?

LS. King, George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) and Princess Margaret walking out of Palace and to top of terrace steps. MS. The Commanding officer of the 604 Squadron salutes and invites King to inspect parade. King and Queen walk down steps and...

Buckingham Palace, London. 1950?

LS. King, George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) and Princess Margaret walking out of Palace and to top of terrace steps. MS. The Commanding officer of the 604 Squadron salutes and invites King to inspect parade. King and Queen walk down steps and shake hands with the Commanding Officer. MS. King and Queen inspecting the squadron. Various shots of the King and Queen inspecting airmen, & SCU. Princess Margaret follows behind. Several shots of the King presenting the Esher Trophy to the Commanding Officer. MS. The Trophy. MS. King taking the salute at the march past, Queen beside him (3 shots). MS. The King and Princess Margaret shaking hands with Lord Trenchard and a woman, possibly Lady Trenchard. Princess Margaret chatting to woman officer. SCU. King chatting to VIP's. SCU. Queen chatting to Lord Trenchard. SCU. King chatting with Air Minister Arthur Henderson and an RAF (Royal Air Force) officer. LS. Airman who fainted being taken off. LS. King inspecting squadron. MS. & LS. King inspecting airmen. LS. King walking back to saluting base. MS. The King speaking at presentation ceremony - natural sound: 'I am very glad to present the Lord Esher Trophy this year to the winning squadron 604 Squadron of the RAAF (Royal Auxiliary Air Force). I congratulate all the officers and men who have raised to so high a level the efficiency of the unit. SCU. 'We realise that your efficiency has been won at the cost of absence from your homes and families and we are glad to acknowledge the sacrifices which they, as well as you, have made to achieve it. In so honouring you, today, we are paying tribute to the whole of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Your Squadron, born 20 years ago, has a history of which it has every reason to be proud. Four times in the fourteen years, in which it has been awarded, you have won this trophy. It is given to the Squadron considered to be the most efficient and judges by operational standards... (part missing) Squadron was well enough prepared to undertake night fighter operation and its score of well over a hundred enemy planes destroyed is a tribute to its outstanding efficiency.' King switches off microphone. Officer walks up to receive trophy from King. Slightly confusing section showing King and Queen consulting what to do next. Man turns and marches off without trophy. Various shots of the march past of the winning squadron. MS. King and Queen and others watching march past, King salutes. Several shots of the families of the men watching march past. MS. The King, Queen and Princess Margaret chatting to families of men of 604 squadron.

(Comb.Lav.)

Date found in the old record - 22/06/1950.