When Derby lined up to mark royal deaths
SEARCHING through the archive for photographs of people queuing – mainly in the Second World War for food and ration books – which appeared recently in Bygones, there were some other photographs with queuing as the subject.
They included as intriguing image of a line of people snaking along Exchange Street, round to the left towards the then poultry market and back down toward Tenant Street.
Some investigation revealed it to be a very respectful queue which had formed to allow people to see the wreaths of flowers at the then council offices in Tenant Street which were being sent by the town’s corporation for the funeral of George V in 1936. The photograph was taken on January 26. The other photograph of the same queue was taken in the opposite direction looking away from Tenant Street towards the junction of Albert Street and Albion Street with the former Corn Exchange, later Northcliffe House on the extreme left of the photograph.
Scanning the archives further, it is clear that Derby people have taken part in mourning associated with royal deaths several times over the years and it has been faithfully recorded by the astute photographers.
On February 15, 1952, the funeral of his successor George VI was held – he had died on February 6 – and Derby paid its own tribute with a parade of soldiers and civic leaders and the town also sent a wreath which was viewed by queuing people at the Council House.
A service was held in Derby Cathedral to mark the King’s passing. The Derby Evening Telegraph marked both the death and funeral with bold front page headlines and photographs.
Of course, the biggest outpouring of grief nationally was the untimely death of Princess Diana in 1997.
As our photograph shows, great numbers of flowers were laid in the Market Place, a special service was held at Derby Cathedral and a book of condolence was opened at the Council House. People queued for hours to pay their respects in writing.
From the moment she stepped on to the world stage upon her marriage to the Prince of Wales in 1981, she had become the “People’s Princess”.