Evening star., 1939-06-08
Meeting Royal Couple
To Be No Novelty
For Admiral Rodman
Retired Navy Officer
Saw King George
Assume Throne

When Admiral Hugh Rodman is
presented to King George and
Queen Elizabeth at the Embassy
garden party or the White House
the name should strike a familiar
chord in the royal memories.
Because Admiral Rodman, now
retired, has been presented to them
two or three times when they be-
came their majesties, which is just
another way of recalling he was one
OF the United States delegates to
the cornation of the King in May,
1887.
Not only that, but he commanded
the American battleships attached
to the British fleet in the North
Sea during the war and in that
capacity knew the Kings late father
and Queen Mary, Indeed, as he put
1t, Il was practically an admiral in
the British Navy"
Impressed by Kings Dignity.
II was very much impressed with
the dignity of the King" he re-
called. and the Queen, seemed
particularly lovely character"
Admiral Rodman has no illusions
as to whether the royal pair will
remember his face. In fact he
admits to hatred of persons who
appear with wide grin and say,
II know you don't remember me-"
Il always say I don't" he said
In his terse way.
But he does think that hearing
his name may recall him to their
majesties, although they do have
to meet thousands of persons"
Frankly, the admiral does not care
for official parties and the like, but
he is well pleased about the in
formal dress to be permitted at the
Embassy garden reception
THAT just shows how really
democratic the Lindsays are" he
declared. why, in England they
would not think of attending such
a function in anything but the
clothes prescribed by rigid eti-
Quette."
He was also strong in his praise
OF Sir Ronald as a real fellow"
olNcH Every AttentiOn.
At the coronation, Admiral Rod
man said, nothing was too good for
him. A private car was placed at
his disposal, list of engagements
put in his hands and a British
admiral attached to his staff. And
he also had an excellent seat at
the actual coronation exercises in
Westminster Abbey. 1t was the
organization of the coronation pro-
gram that impressed him most.
Il have never seen anything like
It," he stated positively, as he de-
scribed the welding into an Efficient
ly functioning ceremonial of all the
traditional rites, together with the
music, professional and other events
OF the occasion.
The admiral admits he can spin
q yarn with the best Of them and
this is the tale he told of an in
cldent which impressed upon him
the mutual friendship of Britain
and the United States.
Signals Garry Message.
AS the final review that cnmaxed
the coronation ceremonies ended
at Spithead and the King was on
his way back to London, the ad-
miral headed his ship into the
setting sun, homeward bound. Sud-
denly he noticed off his port bow
a British aircraft carrier whose
captain had served under him dur
ing the war. Up went her signal
flags with this message:
Il should esteem it a pleasure to
sail under your command and for
nation"
The admiral signaled back his
pleasure and the ship fell in be-
hind the United States vessel for
many miles. Early the next morn
ing the British captain again sig
nailed requesting permission to
leave and carry out his appointed
task.
Admiral Rodman, at the West
moreland Apartments, 2122 Califor-
MIA street NV, remembers, though
their majesties may not.