Page 7 - QARANC Spring 2024

‘Huge Remembrance event in London was a personal milestone for many’
In November, His Majesty King Charles III led the nation’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration at the Cenotaph, joined by members of the Royal Family and representatives of the UK Armed Forces and the Commonwealth.
The Royal British Legion organised a march with over 9,600 British and Commonwealth former military and civilian Service personnel honouring the fallen of the British Armed Forces involved in the two World Wars and all conflicts since.
The march was expanded to the widest cross- section of the Armed Forces community which meant that veterans who were not affiliated to a military association were invited to take part for the first time. Caroline Whittaker from Welsh Branch reports.
2023 represented some personal milestone for me. It was 40 years since I was commissioned into the QARANC, 20 years since deploying on Op Telic 1 and 10 years since my last tour of Afghanistan and for this reason I applied and was accepted, to march at the Royal British Legion Cenotaph Parade Sunday 12 November Horse Guards Parade. At the time, of the application, I gave my consent for my contact details to be being passed to the BBC and much to my surprise, I was contacted by them some weeks later and informed that they wished to interview me, after the parade.
To ensure I represented the Corps to the best of my ability, I drew on the Values and Standards “Discipline” as it depends on high personal standards and helps one to control fear. Therefore, I went out very early in the morning with the dog to practice my marching and eyes right before anyone could see me. This proved helpful as not knowing London very well I had no context as to the route or length of the
To ensure I represented the Corps to the best of my ability, I drew on the Values and Standards “Discipline” as it depends on high personal standards and helps one to control fear.
march and I certainly felt fitter.
Having brought back some Harris Tweed from
Scotland in 2022, I found a wonderful Tailor who made me a perfectly fitted jacket, that would hold the weight of my medals steady, and I hoped would look smart.
When I arrived on Horse Guards Parade and found our QARANC contingent of 25, it was fantastic to see so many friends/colleagues that I hadn’t seen for years and whom I had the pleasure of serving with. For those who have not been there before, there are so many different Military and Civilian groups represented and there was such a great atmosphere, the place was buzzing. There was also plenty of facilities for obtaining warm drinks and hot food and it was all very well organised.
Luckily the bleak weather that largely predominated 2023 largely held off, as we set off marching passing the Cenotaph and lastly paying our respects to Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, as we marched back onto Horse Guards Parade. At this point I was met by representatives from the BBC and taken to their broadcasting area where I was “microphoned up” and then I was introduced to the newsreader and broadcaster Sophie Raworth.
I was not particularly briefed on the interview questions, so had to think on my feet as she asked me what it was like to attend the event and what I was thinking about as I marched past the cenotaph. For those who have not attended before then I would certainly recommend going it’s a great experience and very thought provoking
Caroline Whittaker RRC OStJ
The Gazette QARANC Association 7