Image ID: 14148

King George V Inspecting the guard in front of the Town hall during the Royal Visit to Retford

Market Square
Retford
England

King George V can be seen walking centre left in front of the troops. Queen Mary is standing at the top of the steps holding her walking stick and a basket of flowers. The King and Queen seem to have be on a Royal Progress tour of Nottinghamshire for a few days. On the 24th June they visited a factory in Nottingham's Lace Market. They then visited Hucknall Mansfield and Shirebrook on the 25th June. On the 26th of June they visited Retford ( all of these pictures can be seen on this web-site). These Retford pictures show the King looking very tired (and it should be remembered that these visits were only 3 months before the outbreak of World War 1). King George's cousin was the German Kaiser (with whom George had been meeting around this time). Note the King's serious expression as he contemplates his troops. King George V (1910-36 AD) was born June 3, 1865, the second son of Edward VII and Alexandra. His early education was somewhat insignificant as compared to that of the heir apparent, his older brother Albert. George chose the career of professional naval officer and served competently until Albert died in 1892, upon which George assumed the role of the heir apparent. He married Mary of Teck (affectionately called May) in 1893, who bore him four sons and one daughter. He died the year after his silver jubilee after a series of debilitating attacks of bronchitis, on January 20, 1936.

Date: 26/06/1914

Organisation Reference: NCCN000549

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