I don’t know if any of my relatives ever paid the ultimate price for their country as it was not something ever talked about in our family and now there is no-one left to ask. I know my husband’s uncle was a Japanese POW and suffered dreadfully in what he saw and what he experienced. Thankfully he came home and eventually became a Chelsea Pensioner. We had the privilege of visiting him at the Royal Hospital in the 1980s and meeting other veterans.
What I also know is that two of my brothers and three nephews spent careers in the army and all have seen action in conflict zones including Northern Ireland, the Gulf wars and Afghanistan. Thank God they have all come home but again, it is not something they talk about. Personally, I never went to any conflict zones but I did nurse soldiers who were “casevaced” back to the UK following some dreadful injuries sustained whilst serving their country.
I always watched the Remembrance Sunday Parade with respect for those who did pay the ultimate price and for those taking part. It never crossed my mind however, that I might take part myself until four years ago when my brother told me that he had been accepted to take part in the parade. My heart burst with pride for him and I looked forward to trying to find him as he marched past the Cenotaph. Unfortunately, he was very unwell on the day and was not able to take part and he doesn’t believe he will be fit enough now to ever do it.
From then on, I felt I needed to take part for him and on behalf of my wider family. Things got a bit delayed with Covid but I decided 2022 was going to be my year!
The application process was easy enough but then it’s a waiting game. Numbers have been greatly reduced since Covid and I knew there was no guarantee I would get a place. When the email came through confirming I had been accepted, I was so excited.
In preparation, I took advice from other members of the QA Association who had marched in the past. I was advised to wrap up warm and wear good shoes as I would be standing about for hours. I also realised that I needed to get a beret and a Corps scarf. When my beret arrived, I tried it on….lets face it, I never suited my beret when I was 18 and trust me, I still don’t suit it now at 66! But then again, they are not designed to be a fashion accessory.
The big day eventually arrived and I made my way to Charing Cross station. I had an idea of where I was going but if I had any doubt, I realised I just needed to follow the other berets! I joined the queue at Admiralty Arch at 08.10 and the place was buzzing. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know anyone in the queue as everybody was talking to everybody. Old friends were meeting up and new friends being made.
Once the gates opened, I quickly found B39 where 2 other QA veterans were already waiting. Soon we were 28 and for most of us, it was our first time taking part. Although I didn’t meet anyone I knew, it didn’t matter as everyone was chatting and reminiscing about their time with the QAs. The sense of camaraderie and belonging was palpable.
Yes, we were standing around but time did fly by. The next time I looked up, Horse Guards Parade was packed with thousands of veterans. Everyone was very respectful and it was moving to see the Chelsea Pensioners arrive and the applause which greeted them.
We had to ensure we were in our columns and ready to march out of the parade ground at 10.00. For some reason, I thought we would get more instruction than we did but after we were asked for volunteers to be drill leader and wreath bearer, we were simply told rows of 5. Column B led the parade this year so we were the first into Whitehall. I was shocked at the number of members of the public just outside the parade ground and the amount of clapping and cheering that went up for every contingent as they emerged into Whitehall.
Again, we waited in Whitehall for ages just chatting amongst ourselves and with members of the public. At this stage, I had the honour of meeting Brenda. She had joined the QAs as a trained nurse in 1952 and at the age of 93, decided she would like to take part in the March Past. It was wonderful to listen to her story of her life in the QAs back then.
While we waited, we couldn’t see the Cenotaph and there were 38 contingents in front of us so we didn’t really know how far away we were. We did have a large TV screen beside us so we could see what was going on up ahead and were able to see King Charles III place his wreath.
While we were waiting and watching the screen, there was a bit of a commotion right beside us and when we turned to see what was going on, an urban fox appeared from behind the railings. It sauntered up and down beside us as if inspecting the ranks and virtually posed for photographs! It probably wondered what on earth was disturbing his Sunday morning. It stayed with us for several minutes before disappearing again.
When all the dignitaries had laid their wreaths, we could see the March Past begin on the TV screen and then suddenly we were off!
I have to say that our marching left a lot to be desired at first! Afterall, it had been many years since most of us had marched anywhere…48 years in my case! What didn’t help was that although our drill leader was calling instruction, we were a small contingent and we could hear clearly all the other instructions being given by all the other drill leaders who were often on a different foot from us! After a couple of minutes, our drill instructor changed and left us in no doubt which foot we should be on! Things improved after that…she had clearly done this before!
It was an incredible experience going past the Cenotaph with all the poppy wreaths on one side and then the Salute being taken by Prince Edward on the other side. As we marched, members of the public cheered and clapped and I do believe the cheering got louder when the QAs went past!
As we arrived back into Horse Guards Parade, there was what seemed like a guard of honour with serving soldiers and volunteers clapping and cheering the veterans as they arrived back onto the parade ground. It was a very moving experience.
After the parade, photographs were taken, new friends shared contact details and we prepared to make our way home.
I believe that remembrance is a very personal thing. It is right that the nation formally remembers those who have paid the ultimate price but I also think about those who have served and seen action in conflict many of whom continue to live with their experiences every day and may never be the same.
On reflection of taking part in the Cenotaph Parade, I take away how moving the whole experience was and the respect in which I believe our Armed Services are held. I am proud to have taken part and I will remember the day always.
May the annual parade always continue……….Lest We Forget.
Eileen Nolan – CMH 74-75
BMH Rinteln 1975-1977
Royal Herbert/QEMH 1977-1978
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