King George VI’s speech rehearsed ‘over and over’

A 94-year-old retired policeman has described how he overheard George VI rehearse a Christmas Day speech “over and over and over again” more than 70 years ago.

Larry Lamb, of Barton Turf, Norfolk, said he was on duty at the royal residence at Sandringham, Norfolk, during World War II when he heard the King practising as he patrolled past a window.

Mr Lamb said seeing the award-winning film The King’s Speech, about George VI’s struggle to control a stammer, reminded him of the incident.

“I was a police constable on duty at Sandringham guarding the Royal Family,” he said. “I’m pretty sure it was the Christmas of 1939.”

He added: “In daylight we had to avoid passing any window but after dark we could cover completely around the house ...

“Passing by a window, I was surprised to hear the King speaking. He was practising for his speech the next day. He was speaking rather loudly.

“Each time I passed that window, I heard him. I stopped to listen and was impressed by his persistence in getting the speech right. It was over and over and over again.

“The words of a verse he used stayed in my memory. They were: ‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year’ ... etc.

“Later, I told my mates this would be in the King’s speech on Christmas Day. Naturally they did not believe me but were surprised to hear it when the King spoke.

“I never revealed the source of my information as I was not sure I should have listened.”