My finest memory - Peter Potter

My finest memory - Peter Potter

Peter tells of an incident whilst he was training Prince Albert, and how the Prince's stutter impacted certain actions.

One page printed document

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-16

To conclude I leave my finest memory to last.
On one occasion whilst training Prince Albert (later to
be King George VI) we were crossing the Thames when
a steamship was bearing down on us. As Prince Albert,
being a Royal, he was senior to me, although only a
midshipman, he had to give the order to change
course, I advised him to order hard to starboard, which
he attempted to do. However, his stutter took over
and he was showing signs of distress, as the ship was
closing fast, I did the only thing left to me, I struck him
smartly on the back whereupon the order came out
clearly and the danger was averted.
Then Albert turned and thanked me. I am very proud
to have struck a King of England and been thanked for
doing so.
George Potter