The Duke of York visits Chennai
The Duke of York began the fifth day of his Diamond Jubilee visit in Chennai, which is home to one of three officer training academies for the Indian Army. His Royal Highness was received by Commandant S.S. Jog, and given a briefing on the structure of the training programme, the activities involved and the academy’s relationship and similarities with the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. The Duke of York was escorted to the Academy Memorial and on a tour of the campus and its facilities and was given the opportunity to meet with some of the cadets. The visit reinforced the close links between the British and Indian Army and highlighted the quality of training that Indian Army Officers receive.
The Duke of York visited the Madras War Cemetery where he took part in a wreath laying remembrance ceremony at the Madras 1914-1918 Memorial, which serves as a memorial to British and Indian soldiers who died in World War I and World War II. After the ceremony, His Royal Highness met with war veterans and High Commissioners from the Commonwealth nations. The Duke of York was escorted on a tour of the graves by Mr Rajaran of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
To mark the Diamond Jubilee, St Mary’s Church held a Thanksgiving and Commemoration Service, overseen by The Rt. Rev. Dr V Devasahayam, Bishop of Madras, Church of South India, and attended by His Royal Highness. The Service included prayers for the Jubilee, the Commonwealth, country and the church. St Mary’s Church, consecrated in 1680, is the oldest Anglican Church East of the Suez Canal and the oldest British building in India.
A Reception to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee was held at the British Deputy High Commissioners Residence, Cottingley, for members of the Chennai community. The reception included an exhibition of Royal memorabilia and photographs, curated by Mr P M Belliappa.