The other King’s Speech

Whilst going through our archives to celebrate our 90th birthday we found this amazing piece of national history.

We are truly honoured to have a presentation box containing the original 78rpm His Masters Voice recording of The First Empire Broadcast Message by His Majesty King George V form Christmas Day 1932.

The blue gatefold box is hand signed by his majesty and was presented to our founder Sir Ernest Beachcroft Beckwith Towse VC, KCVO, CBE, a blinded Boer War veteran. After serving in the First World War as a staff officer working with the wounded in hospitals in France, he turned his energies to the service of the blind community.

The recording despite being almost 90 year sold has some messages and themes that will no doubt resonate with listeners today. This is an amazing piece of not only our charity’s history but that of our nations.

You can hear the full broadcast message below.

As His majesty says at the end of the message. God bless us each and all.