In St Paul’s Cathedral, where, just over eight months ago, King George drove with the Queen and their family to give thanks for his 25 years’ reign, thousands gathered yesterday to mourn him at a memorial service arranged especially for the people.

Although a number of seats were reserved for ticket-holders, the greater part of the Cathedral was open to the general public in order to give the man-in-the-street an opportunity to pay this last tribute.

“We have put seats in every available space in the Cathedral,” Canon Alexander told a reporter before the service, “because we were anxious to arrange for as many of the general public as possible to attend.” More than 3,000 seats were available for non-ticket-holders, and it is estimated that more than 5,000 people were present.

Many distinguished representatives of the colonies and Dominions attended and many societies and public bodies were represented.

Four hours before the service started people began to arrive, and although the doors were not opened until 1 30 there was a little crowd outside at 11. By noon hundreds stood waiting on the steps. Later people arrived in such numbers that the police had difficulty in controlling the crowds. For a long time after the service began people who had been hoping to gain admittance waited outside, in spite of the efforts of police to move them on and although the doors had been closed for more than half an hour.

The mourners within the Cathedral were drawn from all walks of life, and the complete absence of class distinction was the most striking feature of the service. The service, which was attended by the acting Lord Mayor (Sir George Truscott) in state was conducted by the Dean of St. Paul’s (Dr. W. R. Matthews) assisted by Canon Alexander.