Page 46 - QARANC Vol 14 No 8 2014

44 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Millbank Branch
Chairman:
Lt Col Retd Josephine Jones Secretary: Allison Johnson
As a Branch our members mainly live in the Home Counties and London so any events we organise in London are well attended. The Military events which we can attend the information sadly does not seem to filter through to the Branches in sufficient time for us to attend. The point in case is the Inter-Services Tennis matches played each year on the First Monday and Tuesday of August. You will see by Josephine’s report that it was certainly a great day out and one you to may wish to join in the future.
Anyone For Tennis?
What could be more in keeping this summer but to visit Wimbledon on a lovely sunny day? This is exactly what a few of us did in order to witness the yearly contest of the Armed Forces and of course in particular to cheer on the Army team.
Our Guide, Lt Col Tessa Grieves advised us to enter at gate 13 where we were greeted and tagged! First port of call was a coffee and meeting up with the Army team including the
QARANC players.
The tournament is arranged over two days and the first day
had to be rained off in the late afternoon and play was delayed on day two for the courts to dry out. Then the contest began with us supporters cheering on the Army players and getting very stressed if the Navy or the RAF were winning!!
We saw some excellent play on all the courts both with the men and the women. However the game we watched with Ben Rogers and Lawrence Tere (who was obviously suffering from an injured elbow) representing the Army against the
St Paul’s Cathedral
A service of remembrance with the commemoration of the fallen remembrance sunday 10th November 2013.
Christine Duschene and two escorts, Ann Phillips and Marie-Louise Gibson, carried the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps, Millbank Branch Standard.
We were met by Colonel Burford, Old Comrades Association (OCA) at 9 am, who lined us up with other members with their Standards at the West End of the Cathedral for a practise before The Aldermen and Alderman Fiona Woolf, The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent arrived at The Great West Door.
The service began at 0955 when the Aldermen proceed to the Quire. The Chapter leaves the Dean’s aisle and proceed to Great West Door where they meet the Lord Mayor. The Choir and College of Minor Canons then move to their places in the Quire. Their Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were greeted by the Lord Mayor and escorted to the Great West Door where they are received by the Chapter who escort their Royal Highnesses to their seats under the dome. As Their Royal Highnesses pass in front of the Standard Bearers all Standards were dipped.
The Standard Bearers and Escorts were marched, headed by Colonel Burford OCA, to the High Altar and the Standards were received at the High Altar. The Readings and Hymns were appropriate for the occasion. The Organ Music and Choir were quite magnificent.
Following The Lords Prayer and the Collection being taken, The Standards were returned to the Standard Bearers. We
three and the other Standard Bearers and Escorts marched through the Quire to a designated place under the dome.
The Standards were lowered at The Last Post. Silence was kept for two minutes, after which Reveille was sounded. It was hugely emotional.
More Prayers were said and The Blessing given by The Dean. At the end of the Service, The National Anthem is sung by the Choir and all present in the Cathedral.
The Chapter escort Their Royal Highnesses to The Great West Door of the Cathedral. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen proceeded from The Quire to the Great West Door. The Standard Bearers and Escorts who left from the North Transept Door to take part in the march followed them.
The Honourable Artillery Company provided a Marching Detachment. The Band of The Corps of Drums led the march of The Old Comrades Association and others to The War Memorial at The Royal Exchange.
Here, HRH Prince Michael of Kent laid Wreaths along with The Lord Mayor, other dignitaries and current serving members of the Armed Forces commemorating lives of London’s men and women in the Second World War.
Following The Wreath laying the Parade marched to the Mansion House.
QARANC representatives mingled with other members of the Parade. A delicious Curry Lunch, paid for by The Lord Mayor, was served and much enjoyed in spectacular surroundings.
It was a very special day. We were honoured to be part of it. The weather was unique. It was not too cold or raining.
The Parade was organised by the Federation of Old Comrades Association of The London Territorial and Auxiliary Units of which The Millbank Branch is a member. Marie-Louise Gibson
QARANC Millbank Branch.