Page 35 - QARANC Vol 14 No 8 2014

THE GAZETTE QARANC 33
An experience never to be forgotten
On the Thursday 8th November we travelled to London, to prepare and rehearse for the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Personnel were selected from each service; RAF, Navy and the Army all gathered together to show their respects and remember those that had made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
It was the best experiences of our lives, I never felt so proud to be nominated to represent the Army, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps and MDHU Northallerton, alongside my colleagues SSgt Quigley and Cpl Scott.
Cpl Scott;
“I found out that I’d been selected to participate in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall whilst I was away in Germany luging with the GB team. I felt privileged to be nominated and I was looking forward to attending. I had watched it on TV previously so knew what an honour it was to take part.
Unfortunately whilst I was away, I crashed on the luge track and injured my knee. I thought that I would not be fit enough to participate as I could not walk, let alone do drill. But with 2 weeks of physiotherapy I was able to bend my knee and march down the famous stairs in the Royal Albert Hall.”
For the two days leading up to the event, there were a lot of rehearsals; during this time we took the opportunity
to mingle with other serving personnel’s and other QARANC members. We also hadthepleasureofmeetingtheChelsea Pensioners and other retired personnel.
The day of the big event came, the audience gathered and took their seats, whilst the camera crew set up and our nerves began to set in. When the time came to march down the stairs, we had to be very careful to keep in step with each other. Standing shoulder to shoulder with our fellow service men and women we all felt full of pride and emotion.
My final and proudest moment was when we did an about turn to face Her Majesty the Queen and had the privilege to sing God Save the Queen to her.
It was an honour and privilege to be nominated for this event and it makes me realise what it means to be a member of the British Army, we are all very proud.
Cpl Scott LCpl Singh
service. If you are not in time for the service you can still go in and pay your respects in your own way. I would recommend that at least you go in and take a look as you are passing by.
Friday 19th July
The last day, only 26 & a bit miles stood between me and finishing & I was so determined to finish as otherwise I would have to come back and do it all again and I was determined not to be coming back. I looked at myself as a Chesney (Hawkes), this was going to be the “ one and only”. I did have to dig deep but my team was there with me. When we reached the field where we received the medal before going onto do the last 5km into town it was a great sense of relief as the crowd, music & fellow marchers carry you. Seeing the crowds of people that lined the street made it feel like a National homecoming team returning to their country after winning a World Cup. Seeing the finish line banner coming ever closer was such a fantastic feeling, as I knew my medal was mine and I had done it.
We got bussed back to camp, as it would have been another 5km to walk back. The Nijmegen shuffle had taken hold of others and me around the camp. Shower, food and feet up were in order and then pack for departure on Saturday morning. We did make it to the Brit bar on camp as that was because it was only 100m from our room.
You cannot fully explain the atmosphere of Nijmegen so if you are curious about it then start getting a team together, start training and go for it. It is achievable for anyone with training. You are not doing it on your own. Your team supports you as you do also to your fellow team members. It is not a race it is about getting your whole team around and for everyone to experience that “YES I’ve done it” feeling and have achieved one of the goals you set yourself. There are some that will want to come back and do it again & again and add to your medal collection from Nijmegen and these people are to be admired in my book. If you have read this and want to do the 98th Nijmegen March it will take place in July 2014 get organising and training as you need to qualify for it. If 2014 is to soon then there is always 2015. The 100th Nijmegen March will be in 2016 so that could be a one to do.
Capt Marion Creagh
256 City of London Field Hospital