George VI of the United Kingdom

“ In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to all my people, both at home and over seas, this message with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at War. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. ”

“ But far more than this the peoples of the world would be kept in bondage of fear and all hopes of peace and of the security of justice and liberty of nations would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which concerns us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear and of the world order and peace it is inevitable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. ”

“ There may be dark days ahead and war is no longer confined to the battle field but we can only do the right as we see the right and reverently commend our cause to God. If one and all be resolutely faithful today, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, with God's help we shall prevail. ”