Page 125 - RSDG Year of 2022 CREST

SCOTS DG at the Platinum Jubilee
Lt A Todorov
The Platinum Jubilee was a welcome celebration for the entirety of the UK, but meant even more to SCOTS DG as we celebrated the reign of our Colonel-in- Chief. The significance and singularity of celebrating a 70-year reign had led to feverish excitement in the SCOTS DG marching contingent that soon parked up their Jackals, bulled their boots, and were thrust into practise by Cpl Miller and Cpl Maguire, before making their way to the All-Arms Drill School in Pirbright to see what our Guardsmen colleagues had in store for us.
There was certainly a fear of the unknown as we arrived, Capt Forat, OC drill school, who previously was the RSM at New College at RMAS, and quickly had Capt Lambert and Lt Todorov on their toes, rumour has it, he’d given one of them ROPs. It quickly became clear that Pirbright Camp looked nothing like Birdcage Walk or Pall Mall, but it would serve its purpose as a turgid loop to turn amateurs in to the professional drillers HM The Queen deserved. The highlight of the initial rehearsals was being joined by the Commonwealth contingents from around the world, seeing the differences in their drill, and their pride in attending such a momentous occasion.
Through the many rehearsals, there was plenty of down time, and a lot of fun was had. Of note, was SSM Tom Ah-Sing’s 40th birthday, an accidental all-ranks affair, that featured his first Espresso Martini, thanks to SSgt Stewart, a Guildford night club that rhymes with shopworld and the SSM FINDing Scotland Rugby Player Huw Jones and commandeering his night out. Making the most of being where we were, Tpr’s Cameron, Ferrier and Imrie went for a day out in London, and Tpr’s Andre, Atkinson and Auras, dressed in matching Hawaiian shirts and shorts, spent a day at Thorpe Park.
The pinnacle of the rehearsals came with the full run-through, this had a clandestine feel as it was conducted in the dead of night. We departed Pirbright at 2030hrs, took a wrong turn on the A4 at 2130hrs, arrived at the Wellington Barracks underground car park at 2230hrs, “got ready” by 0300hrs and stepped-off at 0400hrs... This was perhaps the most surreal, and incredibly Army, experience of our lives, the over-engineering, the length of time sat waiting, the rollover hot dogs, and the fantastic brew station, this was an experience to remember. A delirious night of no sleep, followed by marching at sunrise through the deserted heart of London, it will live long in the memories of those who participated.
Finally, the pinnacle of our rehearsals were put to the test, and thankfully, unlike the Royal Lancers, some lengthy coverage of the SCOTS DG contingent on the BBC, I’m certain I could see HM The King mouth the words “jolly smart” as the SCOTS DG contingent were given the words of command, ‘Eyes Right’, as they pasted The Queen Victoria Memorial. The 3-mile continuous loop was taxing, but the electric atmosphere of the 100,000 onlookers kept the arms shoulder high, and necks pushed to the back of our collars. Hearing the Pipes and Drums following closely behind us, with a muted “hoowee” when Black Bear was played sent shivers down the spines of all marching, Regimental pride flowed and the experience was undoubtedly one to remember.
Lastly, if anyone managed to find a video of Capt Lambert, almost passing out at the Cenotaph, I would be eternally grateful.
EAGLE AND CARBINE 133
Jubilee Parade