Jubilee marks 70 years since Newark pledged loyalty to the new Queen

The following paper, on February 13, carried reports of the “sudden and grievous” news spreading across Newark and district.

It said: “The short words were spoken ‘The King is dead’ and they were received by people who were so stunned that they could not believe their ears. Folk wanted confirmation. It could not be true. But it was only too true and the message was passed on.

“There was a peculiar stillness. Faces were solemn and there was a pall of sadness. ‘This is terrible’ was the comment as people went to their homes or stood in shocked groups to learn further details.”

The town went into mourning, with church services were arranged, flags lowered and events cancelled, and telegrams of condolences were sent to the new Queen.

A reply to Newark’s telegram of condolence to the Queen was received by the Mayor of Newark, Councillor J. A. Marwick, was reported in the Advertiser: “Signed by a private secretary it stated: ‘Her Majesty has deeply appreciated your message of sympathy.’”

Southwell Rural Council also sent a message of sympathy and loyalty to the Queen.

Chairman Col. G. H. Vere-Laurie said: “It has truly been stated that he died in his service to this country. He will go down in history as one of the greatest heads of a family that there has ever been.”

On February 8, crowds gathered for the proclamation. An Advertiser report described the occasion: “‘God save the Queen’ declaimed the Mayor of Newark, J. A. Marwick, from the balcony of Newark Town Hall, ‘God save the Queen’ echoed the loudspeakers across the market place.”

Three proclamations of accession were made in Newark, at the Town Hall, at Beaumond Cross and at Beastmarket Hill and flags were raised to the masthead for the first time since the King’s death.

At 11am at the Town Hall the Army guard of honour were drawn to attention, and five RAF trumpeters sounded the declamatory fanfare.

“The fanfare died away across the marketplace and rifle butts crashed on the asphalt as the guard ordered arms. The mayor began to read... ‘Whereas it has pleased Almightly God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lord King George the Sixth of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Crown is solely and rightfully come to the night and mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary,’” read the report of the day.

Among the crowd were Carlton, Muskham and Magnus pupils.

The Advertiser report describes: “Women with shopping baskets and mothers wheeling perambulators joined the crowd. Upstairs windows in buildings around the Market Place were vantage points for many more spectators.”

The procession moved to Beaumond Cross and Beastmarket Hill, where the Town Clerk, Mr Greaves, read the proclamation, standing on a stool used for every proclamation since George IV in 1820. The stool was originally a desk stool in Tallents and Co.’s offices.

Traffic was held up by police for both the clerk’s readings.

On the day of the King’s funeral, Friday, February 15, church services were held across the district.

Larger services were held in Newark Parish Church and Southwell Minster. On the morning of Friday, February 15, mourners crowded into Southwell Minster for the memorial service. It was attended by the Dutchess of Portland ­— but not the Duke, who had been called away to Windsor.

The congregation was addressed by the Bishop of Southwell, Dr P. R. Barry, who said: “The multitudes thronging the streets of London, and the men and women in their homes, have been mourning, not only for the passing of a great Sovereign, but for a man whom they loved and revered, who had been their friend and their lover and their shield.

“This day, with all the ceremonial pomp of Royalty, in such haunting contrast to the man’s mortality, he is buried in the sepulchre of Kings.”

In Newark Parish Church, a memorial service for children took place in the morning, followed later by another attended by the Mayor and many residents.

The Advertiser reported a constant stream of people, predominantly women, filling the church. Some were in deep mourning, others wore a touch of mauve or grey, many came in everyday clothes from their shopping and housework.

A civic procession, including the Mayor of Newark, Newark MP Mr George Deer OBE, the Town Clerk, borough aldermen and councillors, the coroner and Mr R Youngs, Police Superintendent.

Canon Clarkson, Vicar of Newark, addressed the congregation, in which loyalty was pledged to the Queen: “For the sake of the love which we owe to her mother, we must give every ounce of loyalty, of intelligent service and mutual trust to nourish the vitality which is her life.”