Page 76 - QDG 2022

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1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Op Ballam
On Thursday 08 September 2022, after 70 years of glorious reign and at the age of 96, Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest serving monarch died peacefully at her home in Balmoral, Scotland.
During a time of profound national and international mourning, B and C Squadron 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards were dutifully called upon to assist with her majesty’s state funeral and the preparations for the event. A ten-day national mourning period began following her death during which the Dragoons grate- fully deployed down to London to help the proceedings over a number of days, ably helping members of the public attend various sites across the Capital as part of the funeral whilst also aiding the Metropolitan Police with some of their duties during a difficult period. The Squadrons were also generously visited by General Sir Simon Mayall KBE, CB during their time in London. Before departing, the Dragoons were truly honoured to have the opportunity to pay their final respects to the Queen as they watched her funeral parade pass by out of London and be able to salute her one final time.
“I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice, but I can do something else; I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of
nations.”
Queen Elizabeth II, on her first Christmas Broadcast, December 1957.
May she rest in peace.
SRBM
Lt Gen Sir Simon Mayall, KBE, CB visiting B and C Sqn.