Page 12 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

12 The Gazette QARANC Association
Operation Golden Orb: ‘A day we will never forget’
WO2 Cally Brunton and fellow members of the QARANC Association who took part in the Coronation of King Charles III share some of the highlights of a day that will live long in their memories.
Cally writes: “Preparations started early with recces of RAF Odium and Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and London. Individuals directly involved in the parade were at Longmoor and Pirbright for drill practice; the real life support (RLS) teams were deployed, requiring one nurse at Wellington Barracks getting some of the best seats in the house. We were on standby with the tailors to witness the arrivals of blisters and broken medal racks.
In the week leading up to the Coronation we held an overnight rehearsal of all involved, catching trains into London Waterloo and marching to Wellington Barracks and being placed into regimental holding groups in the underground car park; refreshments and blister clinics being available.
Post rehearsal, we saw every member of the parade who had required medical treatment either for sickness, fainting or injuries incurred via a bayonet until 09:00hrs, the numbers were as expected.
We had rehearsed medically as much as those on parade had rehearsed their personal drill. Extra dressings and tape were bought in as well as fluids should there have been any heat injuries. Protocols and standard operating procedures were scrutinised down to the final detail. The pressure was truly on.
Protocols and standard operating procedures were scrutinised down to the final detail.
On the day of the parade, we had troops entering Wellington Barracks in the early hours, ready for the step off. We saw everything from blisters to safety pins for medals, mild reactions to ceremonial uniform rubbing. All participants were on great form and were honoured to be in the parade marking history. Maj Thomas Johnstone was working out of Combermere Barracks, sporting some very colourful scrubs for the occasion whilst providing RLS.
I was working with SSgt Laura Barrigan who was the ERI for London Central and based in Wellington Barracks. We caught up with some familiar faces from the RAPTC, as well as Captain Aimee Roddis. I personally had a very special reunion up with a Belizian Officer who I commissioned in Belize in 2021, Lt Kimberly Garcia.”
Cpl Mollie Darwin writes: “Op Golden Orb drew together nation-wide QARANC members to form a drill detachment for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Broken down into phases: Phase 1 was located at Tidworth to perfect weapon drill and basic movements. Phase 2 moved us to RMAS to join with other cap-badges and contingents. Phase 3 was the practice rehearsals and overnight through the early