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Holmston Pages

December 2001 Update

A Letter from the King, 1946

After the War had ended, every pupil in the country was given a letter from the King, George VI, the present Queen's father.

The copy on the right was given to Jimmy Brown, a 6-year old boy at Holmston, in class Infants 2, similar to today's P2.

The King's letter reminded all children of the hardships and dangers they had shared in a total war, the triumph at the end, and the courage, endurance and enterprise of their families.

The King hoped they would have the same courage, endurance and enterprise when they grew up, to help to bring peace.

He signed the letter "George R.I." - "R.I." is short for "Rex et Imperator", Latin words meaning King and Emperor. In 1946 the King was still Emperor of India as well as King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Many in India had wanted to be free of British rule. In the next year, 1947, Britain gave independence to the Indian Empire, which split into today's India and Pakistan.

Today, the Queen signs letters "Elizabeth R." - "R." is short for the Latin word for Queen, "Regina".

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