A Right Royal Time

A general rummaging through some boxes turned up some Durban memorabilia. Two souvenir programmes for ‘Royal’ occasions in Durban; one for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937 and the other for their visit here in 1947.

The Programme for the Coronation Celebrations sets out the start of proceedings.

“Tuesday, 11^th May, 1937

4.45 pm – A Special Meeting of the City Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Municipal Buildings, to pass Loyal Resolutions.

5.00 pm – From 5 pm the Durban Municipal Orchestra under the direction of the City Musical Director will render appropriate selections from the Porte Cochere of the City Hall.

A Guard of Honour of the Royal Durban Light Infantry under the command of Captain H.H. Grant, with King’s Colour of the First Battalion, Regimental Band, and the Drums of the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions, will be mounted in Church Street, in front of the City Hall, at 5.25 pm.

His Worship the Mayor (Councillor Fleming Johnston) will be present and be accompanied by members of the City Council……..and other prominent citizens.

The Mayor will then inspect the Guard.

On returning to the dais, the Mayor will direct the Town Clerk to read the Proclamation. On conclusion of the Proclamation, the Guard will present arms and the Mayor will cry ‘God Save the King.’ The Band will then play ‘God save the King’ on conclusion of which the Guard will order arms and remove headdress, whereupon the Mayor will call for three cheers for His Majesty the King.

The Drums will then beat Retreat after which the Evening Hymn, ‘Abide with Me,’ will be played and the Drums will then sound the Call ‘Retreat’ and the Flags lowered.

The Guard will then march past, His Worship the Mayor taking the salute.”

The festivities lasted until Saturday 15^th May and included more parades, ‘Flannel’** dances in the City Hall, Grand Concerts, a Coronation Ball, Sports Meetings, Schools Days, Ex-Servicemen’s Parades, a Historical Tableau and special attractions at the ‘Ocean Beach’.

Included in the programme are some notes of pride on Durban including “by the efficiency of its municipal undertakings, Durban has long since earned for itself the name of ‘Model Borough.’ In the general planning of the town, the layout of its broad streets and parks, esplanades and gardens, and its electric light and power services, its pure water supply, its tramways and telephones…….the Corporation has satisfactorily solved problems which have daunted may older municipal bodies.”

That reads in stark contrast to the reality of today after having endured 4 breaks in the water supply, and five breaks in electricity (two today) during the past two weeks.

(**’Flannel’ refers to the term of the day for men’s light trousers - not being part of a suit. Thus a ‘Flannel’ dance is a less formal affair and does not have the status of a ‘Ball’ where a Dinner Jacket would be worn by men.)