There’s been a lot in the news recently commemorating the 50th anniversary of Churchill’s death in 1965. But Our Winnie’s not the only great statesman who died around this time of year. February 6 marked the 63rd anniversary of the death of King George VI.

Back in those days, the Watford Observer’s front page contained classified adverts, everything from used cars “1936 Jaguar 2½ litre saloon, beautifully kept, £345” to, if four wheels were out of your pocket, “Cycle, gent’s, excellent condition, £7 10s” and more besides. For the edition of February 8, 1952, the ads were interrupted, right in the centre of the page, by a solemn, black-bordered box headed (all in capital letters) DEATH OF OUR MONARCH.

The single paragraph reads: “As Watford and West Herts mourns with great grief the passing of His Majesty King George VI, we reproduce on page five pictures of the late King, Queen Elizabeth II, and members of the Royal Family as our readers have seen them on visits to our district or on ceremonial occasions of national importance.”

And so, after another page of adverts and a couple of pages of local news, we finally get to the dear old King, who had died two days earlier on the Wednesday.

The page features a number of stories, several of which I’ll reproduce here, beginning with how the Observer announced the news itself. Under the headline “Herts grieves but recalls times of great joy” it reads:

“The unexpected news of the King’s sudden death came as a profound shock to West Herts. His loyal subjects were the more stunned as they were still rejoicing at their beloved Sovereign’s apparent splendid recovery from his recent illness.”

Although not mentioned in the Observer’s article, understandably at a time of mourning, the King, a heavy smoker, had developed lung cancer among other ailments, and his health had deteriorated after the war. He was well enough to open the Festival of Britain in May 1951, but a few months later his left lung was removed after a malignant tumour was found. On January 31, 1952, despite advice from those close to him, the King went to London Airport to see off Princess Elizabeth, who was going on her tour of Australia via Kenya. On the morning of February 6, George VI was found dead in bed at Sandringham House, Norfolk. He had died from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep at the age of 56. Anyway, back to the article.

“No sooner had the news been released over the radio than readers, obviously distressed, began telephoning this office for confirmation or otherwise. From then on, however, as the tragic truth spread and overshadowed the domestic and industrial life of the whole district, many tearful housewives visited neighbours, shoppers and workers gathered in clusters to share their deep sorrow at the country’s loss and their genuine sympathy with the bereaved Queen Mother, and the new young Queen, so many miles away from home. Instinctively, a number of people, overcome by the sad tidings, made their way into nearby churches.

“Flags flying at half-mast from council offices, church towers and other public buildings brought the first intimation of tragedy to many people, and within one hour one dress shop in Watford High Street had subdued their colourful window display to one of sombre black and grey.

In Watford County Court, Judge J MacMillan stated that he had a “grave announcement”. His Honour then broke the news and, after standing in silence for two minutes, the Court adjourned.

“Meanwhile the newsvendors were beseiged for the latest editions of the black-bordered evening newspapers pouring into local towns and villages with fuller details of how the King had passed peacefully away.

“During the day, the Mayor of Watford (Councillor L.E. Haines) was consulting with the Town Clerk (Mr A. Norman Schofield) about arrangements for the official proclamation of the new Queen’s accession to the throne and for the memorial service which is expected to take place in Watford Parish Church on the day after the King’s funeral. Similar arrangements are planned for other towns in the West Herts area.

 “On Wednesday afternoon a brief memorial service was held in Abbots Langley parish church and at Watford parish church in the evening. At both churches bells were rung half muffled.

“Theatres and cinemas closed for the day. Some shopkeepers added black crepe to their windows as a sign of mourning and some men’s outfitters sold out of black ties within an hour of news of the King’s death.”

But while life stopped in many places, although only briefly, when the news broke, by no means everywhere. In an article headed “Why the show went on”, it was revealed that a wrestling show at Watford Town Hall, which was being enjoyed by 1,000 people, carried on regardless.

Many people protested at this apparent disrespect – so many, that the Watford Observer tracked down Johnny Dale, a director of Dalemartin Promotions Ltd of Brixton, who had put on the show, to find out what had happened.

He said that as soon as the news was known, they tried to contact the Town Hall authorities to see what the position was, but failed to do so. “To save the public inconvenience it was considered the best thing was to go ahead,” Mr Dale said, adding that at the show, the audience stood in silence in the King’s memory.

A spokesman for the Corporation said that, having agreed to allow the event to take place some months earlier, they could have been in breach of contract had they insisted it was stopped – so they left the decision to the organisers.

Meanwhile the Welsh, of whom there were “several thousands” in West Herts, were reported to be “eagerly looking forward with pride to once again having their own Prince of Wales, which  little Prince Charles, as heir to the throne, will ultimately become.” They had to wait quite a while, though. In February 1952, Prince Charles was only three years old and although created Prince of Wales in July 1958, his investiture was not until July 1, 1969.

The leader of the Watford Observer in that edition of February 8, 1952 – just two days after the King’s death – was suitably sombre. Headed “The King’s passing”, it reads:

“In accord with all lands and nations of the great Empire, the passing of His Majesty King George VI is mourned here in Watford and West Herts with solemn and profound regret.

“The keen demand in Watford High Street and elsewhere for early editions of newspapers carrying the announcement was in itself an indication not merely of the public’s attitude towards big and tragic news, but of their affectionate interest in, and regard for, our consitutional monarchy.

“Hertfordshire has reason for special affection towards the Royal Family, claiming as it does, a close tie with Her Majesty the Queen Mother [she was born and grew up at St Paul’s, Waldenbury near Welwyn].

“At this solemn moment in our national life, our readers will recall joyous and exciting moments when His Majesty the King and other members of the Royal Family visited or drove through this corner of Hertfordshire. Infrequent visits, it is true, but always to a spontaneous welcome from ordinary folk.

“Great by virtue of his inheritance, his manliness and kingliness, ever manifest on his public appearances in West Herts, won him a place in the hearts of thousands. And at this moment of sorrow there can be but few of his subjects locally who will remember not his imperialism but his fight against difficulties and the manner in which he overcame them.

“At a time like this, the deepest sympathy will go out to the sorrowing Court – to the Queen Mother and to Queen Elizabeth II, on whose young shoulders must rest great responsibility while grief is in her heart.”