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1 of 253523 objects
King George V, King of the United Kingdom (1865-1936)
King George V's message to the troops, 1914 1914
Printed paper | 36.0 x 23.5 x 1.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 69467
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On 12 August 1914 Britain and France declared war on Austria-Hungary, having declared war on Germany eight days earlier. King George V sent a personal message to the troops of the British Expeditionary Force, which was the official name used by the British armies on the Continent during the First World War.
This is a framed photograph of that message and reads:
You are leaving home to fight for the safety and honour of my Empire.
Belgium, whose country we are pledged to defend, has been attacked and France is about to be invaded by the same powerful foe.
I have implicit confidence in you my soldiers. Duty is your watchword, and I know your duty will be nobly done.
I shall follow your every movement with deepest interest and mark with eager satisfaction your daily progress, indeed your welfare will never be absent from my thoughts.
I pray God to bless you and guard you and bring you back victorious.Provenance
Formed part of King George V's War Museum at Windsor Castle, established to display his collection of First World War souvenirs; the King was assisted by the Royal Archivist & Librarian John Fortescue (1859-1933). Many of these objects were loaned to the Imperial War Museum in 1936 at the suggestion of King Edward VIII.
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Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Printed paper
Measurements
36.0 x 23.5 x 1.0 cm (whole object)
Subject(s)
