Page 81 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

Arrival in London All for One

The day started off in true British summer If ever there was an advert for solidarity
time fashion - torrential rain, but this within serving Royal Military Police
did nothing to discourage the spirit of soldiers and serving/veteran Association
the ten thousand attending guests who members and the importance of and
queued patiently. Upon our arrival, I benefits of integrated membership,
was greeted with a free goody bag and it was this day. The enthusiasm and
hamper containing specially selected reaction of all members from across the
British food and drink. Whilst guests different United Kingdom branches was
sat down for lunch, the parade, that truly inspirational, of whom, despite
contained themed sections to represent Serving and retired members of the Royal Military Police not necessarily all knowing each other,
the different decades of the Queen’s reign the Mall. What had started off as viewing conversed and came together for a group
and affiliated organisations, passed various members of the Royal Family photo as if they had known each other
through the Mall and surrounding area. from afar, then unexpectedly culminated for years. This included a serving civilian
I took the opportunity to fully take in the in having a very brief conversation with police officer into the mix for good
occasion. It was pleasing to see that a good His Royal Highness Prince Edward, who, measure.
number of guests that sat on my table noticing our Corps and Royal Military
and surrounding tables were veterans, Police Association ties, enquired as to A wonderful attribute I have observed
including those from various branches of what they each represented. It seemed so far in my army career is the ease of
the Royal Military Police Association with that wearing my Association badge which serving and ex-serving personnel
a few serving Royal Military Police soldiers and tie proved incredibly useful. I never can meet in groups, drink, talk and laugh
mixed in, including myself. I felt incredibly would have imagined I would ever be together, whereby the fact that they have
privileged to attend this event. only just met barely affects the situation,
in a situation of talking to a member of reminiscence or mood at all. Civilian
the Royal Family, but our respective ties’
Meeting the Royals distinctive, iconic pattern, along with onlookers might be forgiven for thinking
the accompanying corps ties from fellow that we had known each other all along.
Shortly after lunch, various members of serving soldiers and more importantly, the A truly remarkable day was had by all
the Royal Family walked across the stretch historic reputation they upheld, clearly who attended. The journey home gave me
of the Mall to greet guests, who by now proved worthy of acknowledgement. It is time to reflect and feel the honour of my
had lined the railings to view the Queen for this reason that they remain just as attendance.
and Duke of Edinburgh being driven down sacred today.

The two ladies in pink met randomly at the event. They had completed basic training together

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