Page 122 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

120 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Cavalry Memorial parade
Combined Cavalry Memorial Parade
and Service
This year’s Cavalry Memorial Parade held
on the 12th May was of special signif-
icance as it marked its centenary. To
commemorate this prestigious milestone
all of the regiments carried their Colours,
so our Regimental Standard and Party
were front and centre, closely followed
by LCpl Emrys Forlan Jones and the
Farrier Major, Dave Way carrying the RCA
Banner, Chris Gibbons the Wreath and the
Colonel of the Regiment smartly stepping
us off on our march past the Cavalry of the
Empire Memorial to the Bandstand.
This year the salute was taken by His
Royal Highness, Prince Edward, The
Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel in Chief of the
Royal Dragoon Guards. Once again, we
were graced with good weather, comple-
menting our cracking turnout, over 200
comrades, old and bold along with a
coach load of the serving Regiment, I
believe our marching contingent was
so strong that we even surpassed the
Household Cavalry in numbers! It was
great to see so many of our families in
attendance, supporting and cheering
us on, ably shepherded into the right
place at the right time by our CCOCA
Committee Members, Lt Col Stewart
Burman, Andy Bowtell and Robb Chubb.
Following the parade our camara-
derie continued with a Regimental
RV at the Audley Public House, once
again wonderful to see so many familiar
and new faces raising a few glasses of
London’s finest well into the evening.
The 2024 Field of
Remembrance
Westminster Abbey
The Royal British Legions, 96th Field of
tradition that has grown over the
Remembrance at Westminster Abbey
decades, with a sea of scarlet poppies
was opened at 11 o’clock on Thursday
now covering the Abbey grounds each
7th November by Her Royal Highness
November. This year Andy Bowtell
the Duchess of Gloucester. This
and John Morris were front and centre
annual event, which marks the start of
of our Regimental Plot to greet HRH
the nation’s Remembrance commemo-
Princess Birgitte as she toured the
rations, has been held every year since
field, in attendance were the Colonel of
1928, when the Poppy Factory brought
the Regiment Brig Richmond, Lt Gen
a tray of poppies and a collecting tin
Mayall, Lt Col Brace, Lt Col Parry, Mr
to the grounds of St Margaret's Church.
Bowtell, Mr Chubb, Mr Way and Mr
Only a handful of poppies were planted
Morris.
around a single cross, but it began a
The Field of Remembrance
Westminster Abbey – Regimental Plot