HM The Queen - Head of the Armed Forces for Seventy Years by Jan Westbury

We are just about to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of our Queen over the weekend of the 2nd to the 5th June 2022.  After two years of the COVID19 pandemic the United Kingdom and wider Commonwealth will look forward to four days of celebration, pomp, pageantry and street parties. 

Her Majesty succeeded to the throne on the death of her father, King George VI on 6th February 1952.  His passing resulted in the delay to the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Military Nursing Service on 27th March 1952.        

The Coronation of the Queen took place on the 2nd June 1953 after months of planning.  Sadly the Queen lost her grandmother, Queen Mary, just a a few months before.   Queen Mary was the Colonel in Chief and Patron of the QARANC and the parade for the QARANC Corps Day was cancelled, as her funeral took place on 29th March 1953. 

The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey and the Matron-in-Chief and Colonel Commandant represented the Corps.   Major Margo Turner (later to become Dame Margo Turner) led the QARANC Detachment in the Coronation Procession, where The Gazette reported that anyone from the Association would "purr with pride in their smart turn out and superb precision of drill".  (QARANC Association Gazette Vol. 2 No. 3 August 1953 | British Army Nurses)

Dame Margo later went on to describe how they marched for miles and having thought they would celebrate that night in London were far too tired.

A Coronation Medal was issued in 1953 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne.  This was not issued to all the Armed Forces as only a limited number were produced.  Those in the parade received the medal.

Further blogs will follow providing reflections of those who served during the Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees respectively.

By Capt (Rtd) Jan Westbury

TA & Regular Service