Page 29 - RADC 2017

MILITARY MATTERS
The Sovereign’s Parade Sandhurst
Sgt Candice Bridgeford, RADC
On Friday 11th August 2017, Dental Centre Camberley attended the Sovereign’s Parade. Commissioning Course 163, comprising Normandy, Burma and Alamein Companies, was the Senior Course passing out this Summer Term.
His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al- Hussein of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was the Sovereign’s Representative. Not only a former Officer Cadet at RMAS but his son, HRH Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah, was also commissioning today, having spent the past year as an Officer Cadet at the Academy.
I also had the honour to host the Chelsea Pensioners, for which RMA Sandhurst reserves 10 seats on every Sovereign’s Parade. I met and greeted the Chelsea Pensioners at 0900hrs in the Sgts Mess, where they were welcomed with coffee and Port. They were then escorted to their seats which were located at the front of the stands for ease of access. The Parade consists
of a lot of standing up and sitting down throughout so my Dental Nurse, Miss Emma Ross, kindly assisted with the Chelsea Pensioners during the day.
At the end of the Parade the Academy Adjutant, sitting on a white charger, led the commissioning cadets up Old College steps and into the building whilst the military band played Auld Lang Syne.
After the Parade, I took the Chelsea Pensioners up to Old College steps for their pictures to be taken with the Public, Permanent Staff and Officer Cadets, they commented on being made to feel like celebrities.
The day ended back at the Sgts’ Mess where the Chelsea Pensioners were treated to drinks and a three course meal, followed by coffee and more drinks.
It is always sad to say goodbye around 1500hrs after such a lovely day, hearing their military stories and what excursions they go on whilst in the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
RADC BULLETIN 2017 27