| Main Performers | M T J Gueritte,
General Charles De Gaulle - speakers |
| Set List | 'La Marseillaise',
'God Save the King' (The National Anthem),
Speech (Charles de Gaulle) |
| Performance Notes | In 1942, there were two big gatherings of the Francais de Grande-Bretagne in the Albert Hall, on the 18 June and the 11 November. At both events Charles de Gaulle addressed the company present. The 11 November speech was particularly important in that it was three days after the Allied landings in North Africa, from which the Free French had been excluded.
The event was broadcast on the radio to the French people.
"Several thousand Frenchmen and Frenchwomen attended a great patriotic demonstration which was addressed by General de Gaulle, leader of the Fighting France and president of the French National Committee, at the Albert Hall yesterday...Held as before on Armistice Day, this year's demonstration happens to have fallen at a moment of developments in the war that must mean for France fresh trials, but also a great quickening of hopes for her salvation. An unusual excitement was manifest throughout the afternoon among the assembly, which so far as could be seen filled the vast building.
Tricolours decked the platform and every gallery. Men of the fighting French army, navy and air force, and women in the uniforms of the auxiliary services, occupied seats on the platform, right and left of the band of the Irish Guards. When General de Gaulle entered, to music from French trumpets and drums, all the audience rose, and stood while the Marseillaise was played."
(The Times, 12 November 1942) |
| Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1942/121) |