Did you know…? |
When the Midlands cities were bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1940 and 1941, it was not unusual for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to visit such cities and talk to the people amongst the massive ruins and destruction. |
Now where did their Majesties stay on these occasions in their Royal Train for one or two nights? What excitement!
We all felt something was about to happen as there were many policemen were walking around the village and roads adjacent to Hewell Road. |
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The Royal Train would arrive in the middle of the night at Barnt Green station and park on the top of the present embankment. When their curtains were drawn in the morning the King and Queen looked down on St. Andrews School, children with their bicycles and a few adults. St. Andrews’ would raise its Union Jack and others would wave smaller flags. |
| Sometimes the King would open one of the train windows while smoking a cigarette, but both the King and Queen would wave from the window as they departed on their appointments for that day.
When the King and Queen returned to Barnt Green Station by car from a visit, they would be in one of 3 cars which would drive up Station Approach. If one had been to Birmingham and happened to be walking down from the station as the cars drove up, the King and Queen would wave in such a friendly manner!
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The Station Master for Barnt Green always had to meet the King and Queen. They came several times and he was rewarded with several pairs of gold cufflinks! |
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There were many railway lines on what is now the spare ground approaching Barnt Green Station. During the war goods carriages were parked there before moving on to Bristol Docks and Evesham. Such carriages carried the supplies for civilians and H.M. Fighting Services at home and abroad. |
| When the King and Queen arrived in their train, these goods trains were moved and railway passenger coaches were parked in their place. All this afforded a very good cover from passing trains.
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These visits by the King and Queen will always be remembered with great pride!
As remembered by Sheila Parker,
2003 |
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