Trooping of the Colour, Platinum Jubilee - By Fiona Thompson

 

Thursday 2nd June 2022

Two of us, retired QAs, applied for tickets through the ballot being run by the Royal British Legion, for the Trooping of the Colour. We were successful and each took a guest. We knew we would be in for such a treat and I was so excited.

The week before our trip, my neighbour knocked and said her mother (ex WRAC), had told her to come and check I was alright? Slightly bemused, I said “Yes?”. She had heard about the partial collapse of one of the stands and worried that I may have fallen through the floor. Reassuringly I replied that I was going the next week so thankfully I had not ended up being treated by any co-workers.

We joined the queue in Green Park with so many ex-service compatriots. Medals were in abundance and it was such a welcome feeling to be with the military humour and warmth again, having left the Corps in 1992. I wore my first Gulf war medal with pride, along with my metal RBL poppy pin with QA Corps badge attached. We were determined to ensure that we could be recognised by our fellows for the QAs we were. The weather was great and we moved quickly to our seats in the North stand in front of Buckingham Palace.

We watched the troops, bands, vehicles, Royal family, coaches, 200 horses, Irish Wolfhound-Seamus, artillery, 400 musicians, police et al pass in front of us. The colours, sounds, excitement, precision, grandeur, were iconic. The flow of the spectacle moved before us and all around were clapping, cheering and happy comments. The sea of scarlet tunics, shining metal breastplates, bearskins, head dresses, very shiny boots, meticulous marching, shouted commands made me so proud to be part of the British Army. 

The sound of the horses’ hooves seemed reminiscent of a night time podcast you might listen to, to be lulled to sleep. Once the parade arrived in Horse Guards, the large screens set up around the Queen Victoria Memorial gave us front seat pictures (sound followed after 10 minutes!) Truly exciting was the fact that we knew we should see the pageant again on their return to the Palace. The horses were beautiful and fantastic and both of us had ridden Army horses in Germany and Sandhurst, so remembered stories of mounting 19 hand high horses and praying not to fall off. I never did, but had a few hairy moments, including a billy goat at one of the BAOR stables..............

I remembered the bands men and women who had supported us in 33 General Hospital as stretcher bearers while I watched the talented and colourful musicians march past. I was reminded how we had to take on unfamiliar roles in a new environment with new threats during Op Granby.

The Queen came onto the balcony to receive the salute, followed by others of the Royal family to join her in watching the Fly-Past. The aerial display was second to none and lived up to the anticipation of everyone around us. The sense of camaraderie was lovely, and I realised how much I miss Army banter and the dry sense of humour to be heard on all levels.

The British Legion looked after everyone terrifically. Water, tea, coffee, lunch boxes, nothing was too much trouble. I am so glad I had this opportunity to be a special part of the Queen’s Jubilee. A day never to be forgotten, and a privilege to stand amongst so many of the Armed Forces Community.