“This is the first broadcast made by a British monarch on radio. King George V opened the British Empire Exhibition on 23 April 1924. In his speech, broadcast by the BBC, he thanks all those who worked to deliver such a ‘magnificent result’, despite challenges such as the ‘unfavourable weather’.” (British Library website.)
“As well as being the first live radio broadcast made by a British monarch, it is also the earliest surviving recording of any radio broadcast. It was made by EMI at their Hayes Studios, and is credited as being a broadcast that impelled many people to buy a wireless set.” (British Library website)
Downton Abbey: Series 5. The Earl of Grantham opines that the wireless is a fad that won’t last. A Gilbey ancestor of mine, a mail coach operator between London and Cambridge, had the same opinion of the railways. Nevertheless Lord Grantham is persuaded to hire a wireless set for the King’s speech.
A technician in a long brown coat sets up the apparatus in the hall. Lady Rose wonders why it is called a wireless as he fiddles with lots of wires. The staff join the family to listen to the historic broadcast. Mrs Patmore, the cook, wants to know if the king can hear them if they speak. The staff stand throughout but the family rise to their feet for the national anthem. Later Lord Grantham relents and keeps the wireless. It is installed in the small library.
To this day the grander St James’ clubs do not have wireless or television in important rooms. If they are there at all, they are tucked away. In the Second World War Boodle’s acquired a wireless so members could keep abreast of war news. It was placed in a small room on the first floor now used as a bar before private dinners upstairs. This room is still called The Wireless Room although the set has long gone; another of the charming idiosyncrasies found in clubland.
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