O.S.J.J. Annual Report, 1931

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REPORT OF THE CHAPTER:aGE N ERAL FOR THE YEAR 1931. THE CHAPTER-GENERAL has the honour to submit to the Members and Associates its Report for the year 1931. CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS. The outstanding event of the year was the celebration of the Centenary of the re-establishment of the Order in England. The week occupied by the Celebrations was characterized by perfect summer weather. The Celebrations themselves were honoured throughout by the presence of members of the Royal Family. Additional interest was also lent by the fact that many t. J ohn members came to London from practically every part of the Empire, and for a large number of these it was their first visit to England. The official Celebrations were as follows :-On the night of Monday, June 22nd, a Banquet, followed by a Reception, at St. James's Palace. On Tuesday, the 23rd, His lajesty the King held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. On \Vednesday the 24th (St. John's Day), a cer monial service was held in Westminster Abbey, followed by th e Annual General Assembly in the Great Hall of Westminster School, kindly lent for the occasion by the Head Master. On Thursday the GranJ Prior gave an Afternoon Party at St. James's Palace to member of the Order, the t. John Ambulance Association and the St. John Ambulance Brigade both at H ome and Overseas. On Friday, the 26th . were held the Empire First Aid Competitions, at the Wharncliffe Rooms, Great Central H otel, ~larylebone, and on Saturday, the 27th, the Review of the Brigade at Home and Oversea.s was held in Hyde Park. THE BAXQUET A TD RECEPTIO_-. The Banquet wa pr sided over by H.R.H. the Grand Prior, and the guests numbered 110. At the Grand Prior's table, in the centre of the hall, were the chief representatives from overseas, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Prelate of the Order, and the Sub-Prior. Each of the twelve mall tables was presided over by a senior member of the Order, either a Bailiff Grand Cross or a Knight of Justice. Evening dress, with decorations, was worn. There were no speeches. Immediately after the Banquet the Grand Prior held a Reception, receiving the guests in the Tapestry Room. The occasion was also honoured by the presence of Princess Helena Victoria and the Lady Patricia Ramsay. The room used on this historic occasion were the Armoury, the Tapestry Room, the Queen Anne Room, the Levee Room, and the Gallery, where a buffet supper was served. The string band of the Grenadier Guards played during the evening. The Grand Prior shook hands with every guest as he or she wa announced, some 900 being present.


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