1934: Sir Harry’s paws for reflection

RUSSELL LEADBETTER

HIS name was Prinz Von Riga. He was a large brown-and-white St Bernard, he had baskets of fruit strapped to his back, and he was the star of the 18th annual Flower Sunday children’s procession in Glasgow, from Blythswood Square to the Royal Infirmary.

The 20,000 children, accompanied by more than a score of bagpipe, brass and silver bands playing hymns popular among the young, were carrying flowers and gifts of fruit for the city’s hospitals. Thousands of people crowded on to Sauchiehall Street and Parliamentary Road to watch the colourful pageant. One group of little girls were dressed in nurses’ uniforms; another group of boys and girls wore an assortment of colourful national costumes.

When the parade reached the Royal, a service was held in the square outside, and among the notables who took part was Sir Harry Lauder, the celebrated Scottish entertainer. A substantial quantity of fruit was then handed into the Royal, to be shared amongst other hospitals and infirmaries across Glasgow.