Up at 7:00am., Breakfast at 7:30am. And then down in the foyer of the Travel Inn Hotel at the County Hall Hotel. Peter Cousins brought the wheelchair and the Wreath I was taking on behalf of 202 Squadron Association, down from my room and sharp at 8:30am Peter Girling, a part time London Black Cab Driver picked Peter and I up and drove us to Horseguards Parade, where we assembled ready for the March Past. Thanks for the free ride Peter!
Whilst waiting for "Fall In" we had the opportunity to chat to other waiting Vets. One gentleman I was talking to was actually stationed at Gibraltar in the equipment section sometime after the time we, (202 Squadron) left Gib for Castle Archdale! I was able to offer to send him picture of a Catalina in the Slipway at Gibraltar taken August the 3rd 1944 and although I am unrecognizable, I can be seen in charge of the beaching operation. I am sure it was me as I supervised the majority of Beaching/Launching Operation at that time.
10:20am we started to move off and we marched through Horseguards Arch on to Whitehall where we stood with the other "9,999 Vets" waiting for the Queen. Sharp on 11:00 as Big Ben struck the first chime of the hour the Gun was Fired to mark the beginning of the 2 minutes Silence. I was amazed at how loud it was; it actually set the alarm off in a car! Then followed the laying of the wreaths and the short service conducted by the Bishop of London. While we were waiting I noticed St.Dunstans was to our left, The Chelsea Pensioners to our right and following us were the RAF Police (The "Snowdrops").
Following the laying of the wreaths by the "Royals" and Dignitaries followed by the Religious Service (during which "Oh God Our Help in Ages Past! was sung.This Hymn I always find so touching in such circumstances). The National Anthem was sung. The Queen and dignitaries departed and the March Past was started.
I was amazed how many spectators were there. They lined the whole mile plus Route, down Whitehall, along Parliament Square and up Horseguards Road. They were applauding all the way. Even the Metropolitan Police on crowd control were applauding. I felt very honoured and humble. ( I am in the wheelchair with the white panel)
At the end of Horseguards Road the Princess Royal and her supporters took the Salute as we marched past on to Horseguards Parade where we fell out.
On Horseguards Parade was a St.John's Ambulance Van and a Salvation Army Van serving us a free cup of tea and a biscuit which as very welcome on the chilly day but blessed with bright sunshine making it very pleasant. After enjoying our cup of tea we made our way back to Whitehall through Horseguards Arch where we walked down as far as Downing Street where the Pavement was barred. Evidently they were moving the barriers. After a bout 5 minutes the pavement was opened and we were able to get to the Cenotaph to view the wreaths. They were about six deep and a lady appeared and said "Do you want to get to the front" and we replied "yes" and she pushed her way through to a Policeman and pointed to us and he called "Make Way please and the crowd parted for us like the Parting of the Red Sea! Here we took photos of the Royals wreaths. (see Photograph below) We then carried on to the other side of the Cenotaph where the same lady again appeared with the same actions! we took a picture of the a Association Wreaths.I said to the policeman there "You are all doing a wonderful job" and he replied "We all think it is an Honour for us to be here sir". It almost brought a lump to my throat!
We then made our way to The Central Hall of the Methodist Chapel where we met Peter's Wife, Ann, who organized everything and had a soup and a roll, before proceeding to view the Fields of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. I was particularly touched by the amount of crosses on the Field for the Bomber Crews.
Before finishing I must voice my grateful thanks to Peter Cousins for providing me with the human motive power for my wheelchair and for his wife Ann for her wonderful efforts of organizing the whole trip, The British Red Cross Society for the loan of the wheelchair.Also complement the British Legion for their superb arrangement of the whole Parade. The whole thing went off so smoothly whithout the slightest hitch.
George Smith
ASSOCIATION WREATHS
FRANK FROM THE COASTAL COMMAND ASSOCIATION CHATTING TO ME BEFORE THE PARADE.
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