King George VI

George VI (1895-1952), born Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor, became King of the United Kingdom on the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. His reign saw one World War and the gradual dismantling of the British Empire: he was therefore the last Emperor Of India and the first Head Of The Commonwealth. His death at the comparatively young age of 56 was due to his being a heavy smoker (his left lung was removed as his health deteriorated) and drinker: his daughter Elizabeth (II) succeeded him to the throne.

One of the King's most well-known characteristics was his stammer: he was a shy man who was reluctant to become king (although he was also a conscientious and dedicated man who worked hard at the role once he assumed it) and dreaded public speaking, so he had speech therapy for many years with an Australian-born speech therapist, Lionel Logue (a period dramatised in the film The King's Speech). The success of this treatment allowed the King to make a historic speech on Christmas Day 1939, a few months after the outbreak of war, continuing a tradition of the reigning monarch making a Christmas address that survives to this day.

Peel obviously had a great deal of respect for the man: he remembered that the only records available in his study at Shrewsbury School were Zadok The Priest, taken from George's coronation, and the 1939 speech, which JP grew to like so much he included it in the Peelenium 1939, the only spoken word recording in the entire Peelenium list. John also recalled being the only boy in school to cry when the King passed away on February 6, 1952. ,

Festive Fifty Entries

 * None

Peelenium

 * 'Christmas Message' (Peelenium 1939)

Sessions

 * None

Other Shows Played

 * 12 August 1999: 'Christmas Message' (Peelenium 1939)