1959-02-28 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1959.

The most intimate and revealing story yet of our royal visitor

PRINCE PHILIP

by his friends

Beginning fairly near his beginning, at Gordonstoun, where Philip went to school..

'WAS in the same dormitory. He was a chap who could go off to sleep amazing- ly quickly.-John Bartholomew, Edinburgh. BACK

ACK in that summer of 1937 I remember he would sleep under a single sheet, refuse to have a pillow and never wear a pyjama top.

The boys used to say; "Poor Philip, he's so

hard up he can't afford a pyjama top."

They say you can tell a man by his friends. Now friends of Prince Philip, from all over the world," have — for the first time told of their best remembered moment with him.

Men who were at school with him, men and women who have worked and played with him... between them they ́have built up a fascinating, intimate picture of the man who today is one step behind the throne.

I asked him who he was and

batten."

Come to think of it he did seem pretty short ho saki "Lieutenant Mount of cash in those days.-John D. Clark, of Edinburgh.

We had a game of skittles, He drank beer. in hulves. He said: "I hear you are called THERE

Joe May I call you Joet

was no fear in that boy. He'd swarm up a mast like a monkey. He'd go right to the top of the topmast and he was a dab hand at rig- ging.

sign it.

but Phillp was determined that enthusiastic about it as we should have our swim So schoolboy.. we climbed the fence-Philp tearing his shirt on it-to get

1л.

Ho had this streak of boyish high spirits. But he had dignity too Ho always looked a princo to me.

When I first met him he had

D

He worked very hard at It He read up all he could' about the places he was to visit. And he asked when he got there

and though questions. enough. things to complete tha visited А picture. When we

And after he had seen the death throes of a whale which had been harpooned in not quite the right spot Td say he came away on the side of the..whales.

n beard bright rod it was whaling. factory he asked to and I thought it spolled his sail in a whale catcher. Off ha went and saw· whole being loplus...

He and Mike Parker, another killed, at eicse quarters, benstledebhstarter. workod several prodicul jokes' by 'pre- *tchding that enots was the other, Philip put up with a lot of banter about his background the fact that the had no MT-

The tour took us to seven of 'Greece."

slations in the Antarelle. The Australlo Duka made no secret of the fant On his first vis!! as a.midshipman he spent his that he would have liked to get leaves working as a jackaroo, much nearer the South Fale, sort of apprentice cowboy an even, to visiting. Fuchs' base. a cattle station in Queensland,

One of my strongest memories of Philip is of the Prince in a

Racing bores him stiff. Palo steer a alcady course making card and asked the Duks to name and was simply "Philip he can't get enough of, He's due allowance for tide....He's not a stylist but he's fast and the best man I've salled with tough.

nt that better than I am at that difficult branch of sailing,

If he

and sail colud steer

matter when

He fleked the menu back I don't and said, "I'm afraid give autographs."

The man withdrew abashed. as much as ordinary men he'd The Duke turned to, me and be one of the best helmsmen asked, "Who was that?" I tokt

able to him, we've got. It's being

wrong he's quite happy. — Col, yachteman,

He insisted on helping with

took the menu and signed it. back. apologised charmingly, too, but nobody had the courago

At the end of the meal ono.

But we might have been trap- ped by ice in the Weddell Sea. It was a risk he would have taken gladly.

All the same the. Court could

When I am umpiring one of his games I offen havo to My name is Philip. I like Pealise him for a foul. Some my friends to call me Philip. times he acts innocent and esks, I hope you and I are friends." "What's that for?"

size up all the wind and tidal "Do you think he'd be sure pinny. The day he called to say If he's not satisfied he may conditions swiftly that makes to anake no improper use of it goodbye he was going to raise the

we're him so good. He has good hands if I gave him my autograph?" the wathing up after parties not face the prospect of him A real bred-in-the-bone seem to have any great plans London for his wedding my all having a drink afterwards, and eyes, wonderfully

discreet.

with a pinafore round his waist, for a year so wo. did not ga sallor-Jack Findlay, boat for the future.

Sometimes when mother was potatoes.

wife was in the kitchen peeling Once he knows what he did dinated.-Uga Foz, the famous cald. I cald he would be and used to stand at the sink caught in an Antarctic lee blocks

So the Duke called the man He would have done the cooking too far south.

Prince Philip made the tour a builder, of Hopeman, near ticking me off he would make She said, "It's dreadful you Sidney Kennedy, Chier Umpire, Around and about Gordonstoun.

pleasure cruise for his close 10 let him try. faces at me from behind her catching me like thist" He said, Hurlingham Polo Club. It was hard to keep a straight Why not?

He really appreciated any companions. I started one game I shared B

I've done room with face. Mrs M. Etherington, of the damn things myself,"

enough He is a tough, uncompromis- ing player. For me the main

Sir Andrew Murray, ex- of the company sang for us. Ho te dodness. He was thrilled by giving us all bird names. Philip at school. He was a

The Princo Great Cheverall, Wilia,

He wasn't fussy about clothes, object in riding a to stay on Provest of Edinburgh recalls;

was the Royal had a nice voice and wo were to get a bundle of books from

I became tha year younger than I, but Philip Was determined to I've seen him in mufit in the horse.

I was at a dance in the Edin- all applauding in dimified "Uncle Dickie" (Eart Mountbat- Crested Philip.

Lesser Polar Backchat, had such a masterful man-

get into Dartmouth the hard clothes I wouldn't be allowed From what I have scen of burth Assembly Rooms at way when the loudest and most ex) on his birthday.

Judy Fallon, also a friend of He managed to way and not take advantage of out in.

got in som ner that he was always the his position. My husband kept

the Duke he has the same idea. which Philip and Pricess Eliza plercing whistle I've ever heard

his in Sydney. She says J

sport the most sirentious The Duke never forgets; old He has a sense of humour, beth wero present. The Eight shattered my eardrums. boss.

his nose to the grindstone- felends. About a year ago he 's the sort of game where some reel came on. I was wear Looking up I say the Duke always hard-up novel-outenant would be playing hockey on a

I remember Philp as a young, possible. In choppy seas ho and he pussed – the nexumpam pato a formativist to the Royal you need one -- and ho takes ng the City Jewel. I wis always losing my Hes Mercer, widow of the man Arthur.

with two fingers In his mouth-

Improvised-pitch-at-the-mtern A his falls well. Jimmy Edwards, Philip looked at the borrowing penells and

heavy about to let fly with a gecondi Australia his. who coached him.

When the fleet sailed for the ship.. I said to Whenever he caught me doing

him: "I'm sorry the comedian,

chain round my neck and said: car-splitter,

The Duke took part in a race you've flown here because - if I've got a job nny girl would "ra like to see you do an

I raid: "Good heavens, sir, Japan for the Japanese surren this lie would grab me by the The young öffteer you hid a car my wife would give anything hayo. For elalsome feet wide that da

Ive been trying for years to dar as cryone but Pattie was meeting in the Frikland Islands have liked it it you could have six years Tve been looking after

excited because they were malt and won a rank bulad I funked it.

do that but I can't." cailed to noo her."

the Duke's ponies. He's a won-

He went crocolllle® hunting in Philip couldn't do it. He sald; "I would have call-

the Gambla--and' shot three.

arm, punch me, on the shoulder, three times and snatch wack his pencil.

I don't recall that he was particularly good at sport. He was rather too plump for that.

He was captain of the cricket team because of his naturul

At 25. after war service in the Navy. Philip was stationed

A

at H.M.S. Royal Arthur, ed if I'd had a car. But the training estabilalment Rear best I can do is fly over your Corsham, Wilts.

home In the High Street,"

Mias Lots William,

01

He flow right over my house,

of the My wife was thrilled when I told her it was just to let her know he hadn't forgotten her,- Joe Daymond, Corsham,

The scene changes to Malta,

Hinds Head Hotel, Biay leadership ruller than skill at Thames, recalls the game. He preferred the school'a seamanship course to drink on his way to town, anything" else.

In

Ho

used to drive up for a

I ended by calling in 'Sir of order," he said. William Boliko, Penzaner.

tok Philly: "One day you'll marry Princess Elizabeth. Ho roared with laughter and sald: You're talking trips."- James Black, former barber to the Gordonstoun boys.

I told him I was going up to town. "Hop in," he and I'll give you a lift

cald

·MONDAY:

More vivid memories of Prince Philip

by his friend.

drinks late."

ca

He was excited because

long cruise gave him a chance

He laughed and sald: "I learn- tag history.

it the hard way-getting taxis in the London blackout.

Donald McHardy, head ataik- er, Baimerais,

He's the Attest man who ever went into Balmoral forest. He's very straight and nice to work

a woman

But the oddest experienco to save enough money to hire was the tennis match the Duke, an old car on his next leave. Mike Parker, an American and Philip was handsome in a I played on ice at Base W boyish sort of way. I eyes Loubet, in the Antarello. were the first noticed. They were violet blue ever played so far south and

thing

was the first tennis matchi with. Very talkative too.

against his' deeply tanned face. He's a good fisherman and

the four of us became founder- Be was Janky good shot. But he's got a long

and thin, not members of the Antarctic tennia the shoulders club-an exclusive club with its way to go to catch up with tho a broad across queen as a rifle shot,

own.de, idea of a really good (Continued on Page G, Col 0) Girl's eye view night out was a few houra .on

A

s now.

1tís

WAE

her as his "girl back home.”

Around the world

He had a little sports car I was his personal steward Phillp always jeered at

those days and no more aboard the destroyer Chequers derful boss. But the job has its So we sat it out together "huracy" types until the head-

drawbacks.

while Princess Elizabeth wag master ordered him to learn to money than the average young in 1050.

Naval officer.

He was a very good cater. rido as well as the other boys.

We have to be up at six whisked off by a group of ex- In 1047

there were come of Mest of all he loved spaghetti, a.m. at Windsor. I have

only met Philip

port dancers,

When

a young the dodgems and scenic railway сп the worst floods h the Thames He would eat spaghetti orico since his marriage, I camo

Phillp Hla present to mo last Christ- Once I complimented him on

was on service In at the Sydney funfair. He was neroas him by chance in the Valley for years. In the middle every possible occasion and ho mas was an alarm clock, the case, with which he made Beutenant headquarters of the National of all he turned up in his was an expert. He used to wind Pam Donoghue, head stable girl, his speaches. He smiled. "I'm Australia, before his marriage fond of food with plenty of gar

often escorted

discouraged Sandra llc. He said, it' glad it seems that way. But I'm he Playing

Association, car. He said he was in a hurry it round with his fork, like an Royat Mews, Windsor, Flelds

Ill guarantee to sell out any really rather "nhy."

Jacques, of Sydney. She says strangers from speaking to him. "Good God, Billy," he said, but just had to call to see if 10an.

We Malleso were surprised boxing show the public know

dato When he received the Free On a we were all right.

was embarrassed to be with Philip you He "what are you doing here?"

I began by calling him Phillip through on

a prined and "I've been

get that he did not put oh weight-he'z going to attend. trying to

dom of the city he began his could be sure of an cort who frented as tho

all-Chief Petty Officer Vincent phono

Ito's But I detected a new note of

more of an attraction speech: "Doubtless the citizens noticed that different hair-lyte annoyed when a girl curlseyed

to him at a party.. 1. than the boxers. I only wish of Edinburgh were surprised on or new dress. authority in his manner. And morning but the line la out Peolla.

he was a figliter. I could mako

Ho was thrilled to get lotters If a previous occasion to co the The sportsman

was a fancy fussy dress a lot of money if I could and Provost and myself go arm-in- he wouldn't like it. Theatres from Princess Elizabeth. Any- The Army had a full-scale a fighter with the Duko's arm to the train. The explana and cinemas did not appeal to body could too that he regarded exercise on and Marines were personality, - Boxing promotes tion is that the train was ave him. With him the chances 4 got up to London faster in the set of landing on Malta's Jack Solomons. than I've ever done it before beaches.

I met the Duke when he said afterwards, thinking were that you would end up at or since.

Philip and some polo com- care to open the gliding chap. of all the dignitaries who were a cocktail party or night club: Philip must hold the record panlons were exerclaing. their plonaliips about

a year ako. premont, **That was a very in a night club he liked to

In 1950' Prince Philip set 'out; for ho 07-mile drive from Ponies. He saw the morines The soaring conditions were funny story but don't you think get on the dance floor.

I found him a good dancer, on a round-fle-world Common- Corsham to London.

and decided to take counter poor but we went up together it was a bit riskyyn The young man He told me one day that he action,

In a tigh performance two- Ito laughed and said: Well, light on his fect and mine ovalth tour. Sir Raymond had done it in well under two Putting saucepans on thele senter,

it was my wito who thought of but refusing to take dancing Priestley, former President of

deriously. Ho ignored waltzes the British Association Just before his eighteenth hours, I used to tell him, "You'll heads and wielding their mal- Ho did the talce-off. There it"

Antarctic explorer, who, went birthday: Phillips left - Gordon~ break, your neck.".

lets they charged.

was a bit of a wing dip but John Snappe, the commen- and he wouldn't jitfortug.

He, was fond of Duke Fling- with him, tells the story: stoun so enter the Royal Naval The day he called to zay Pidity roared: Wo oro the he was very quick in correct tator, tolle what happened at a

ton's muele prid: hla' theme song The Commonwealth tour did College, Dartmouth.. Bus firat.. goodbye before leaving for knights of Malia and we wil ing it. He did everything, dying dinner party.....

It was those days was, "All of a lot of good. It was a chance “Ho sit. Dext, to ine, He came to stay with our Lordon for his wedding I defend the island!" Then they in circles, staliipy, tying Found

for him to enjoy hilmasif in in- forally at Cheltenham whlio was blackleading the kitchen were in a general mix-up with clouds,

an eventful, evening. First of Sudden My Heart Singa'

doing the Ife was to be with," An formal company was coaching' him grate. I was blacie na 'a tinker, the invaders.

as, a all a walter, spilled a glass of my father

Ha 13 above average for the entry exam' to the But he insisted on shaking Next morning a very sub- pilot and I regarded him as mile down my dinner jacket, dash came up after one all things ho wanted to do, college, He didn't seem to have hantara Nora Buckle, who dued Philip left the office of would any professional in the said the Duke - Inndly: "The night party he led a few of un Aman: of his energy and much, money and he was not a used to serve him with peirot at to commander-in-chier, Ad- air-Darele Piggott, chief to least they can do is buy you a down 10 arwim in a part of active minst indiak, be frustrated

·Bydney* - Hinsboing, I netted: Cost, by having in play "Number bit spoilt die was a very jolly Corsham,

miral Gir Arthur Power,structor, Latham allding centre, now jacket,”

againatharagudes Men Pond Two sola: suvofión, a They did.. boy who loved jazz -- fie and

Nante, I had gone into the lounge "Philip Tilney, Malta.

The place was not' open to The round-the-world tour the floor, gramophone en of the Methuen Arms. A young

Taking a boot acrpes the tida A little later an eminent whenever he could. He didn't man asked me to have a drink, "Arriving on March 6

milli m free wind you should man came Over Wilh. « menu the pubile until sight d'clock was 'bla 'Idea and, ho' was: as

and

CHESS NEWS

by LEONARD BARDEN

America's boy bar, 10-year old

· Bobby Fischer, is in the chum i1oadlines again. The mort critical game of the current United Blatos championship. wan encounter with Samuck shovaky, considered by turny the greatest player in the world outside Russia. – Neshavsky, just his queen and the game in only Zurire 210FON.

Hero to the game tutaoben, White P-R4, TQ14; PRP K+=> 1-KK14:16 'Ki-13; 7 B-QB4, O ̈0:

QRIT the shouldi play PCR); 9 P-E5, ED-E 10 1xP ehf K×B;, If K6=E

+

20 th followed by mate 1300. Rabensky resigned the -hopelos game thirty moves inter,

Solution No. 5671; 1 Q×P KXQ 2 R-R$ ̈ch. K ==K

KIG, R—KDE: 4 B--R8 on). K-DE: 6 RBI māte.

Londes Kipresì Kerelor.

Page 5Page 6