Page 186 - The Bugle 2018

PRIVATE MURRAY, IN PARTICULAR, HAD AN AMAZING INTERACTION WITH THE YOUNG PRINCESS CHARLOTTE WHO POKED HIS LEG ONE DAY AND SAID “HELLO SENTRIES”
weekends. Members of LoE 1 also participated in a number of multinational sporting events, namely the Polish Armed Forces Day sports competition, the Canadian Army Shadow Run, and two powerlifting competitions.
United Kingdom Public Duties 2017
Article and photo courtesy of Corporal Jay Ekin and Captain Josh Kyrejto
It was a hot and humid day on 18 June 2017, as members of Second Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2 PPCLI) formally donned their new ceremonial scarlet uniforms for the first time. Members from 2 PPCLI acted as the incoming guard during the changing of the guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, commonly referred to as mounting the Queen’s Guard.
In mid-2016, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sent an invitation to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to conduct public duties in recognition of Canada’s 150th anniversary. The task was ultimately given to 2 PPCLI and training began in May 2017. The soldiers, primarily comprised of Alpha Company, 2 PPCLI, were instructed and mentored by two drill instructor Sergeants (Sgt) of the British Army’s First Battalion, Coldstream Guards. The troops’ personal drill was already crisp following the recent conse- cration of the Queen’s Colour parade, allowing for the British instructors to focus on the sequencing and finer details of the tedious guard tasks.
Once training was complete, it was but a few
short days until the contingent departed for London, United Kingdom. On 9 June 2017, the contingent from 2 PPCLI, along with the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, landed 50 kilometres northwest of London at Luton Airfield. It was a short drive from Luton to Cavalry Barracks, where the 119 person contingent would stay with the First Battalion, Irish Guards. After a day of acclimatization, the members of 2 PPCLI began rehearsing their duties in prepa- ration of their fit-for-role inspection. The inspection was conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel David Hannah, Brigade Major of the Household Division, who formally declared the Canadian contingent ready and worthy of mounting public duties parades at Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, Winsor Castle, and the Tower of London.
The Queen’s Guard conducted their first mount on 18 June 2017, and then conducted mounts close to daily from 26 June to 4 July 2017, including a mount on 1 July 2017 to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary which was spectated by an estimated 33,000 people. On 28 June 2017, 2 PPCLI made history as Captain Megan Couto became the first female officer to ever lead the Queen’s Guard. She did so with honour and distinction, making inter- national headlines and bringing a spotlight to the Regiment and the CAF as a whole.
The Windsor Castle Guard mounts were timed perfectly as they occurred during the week of Royal Ascot from 20 June to 25 June 2017. This meant that the castle was bustling with activity as most of the Royal Family was in residence at the time. The guard was honoured to have the experience of performing their mount ceremonies in the Quadrangle, the Queen’s personal courtyard. The Windsor Castle Guard also had the incredible opportunity of interacting with the Royal Family during their comings and goings. Private Murray, in particular, had an amazing interaction with the young Princess Charlotte who poked his leg one day and said “hello sentries,” while he was manning his post at the Sovereign’s gate. Further, the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers and Officer of the Windsor Castle Guard were also granted a private tour of the grounds, including time in Frogmore Cemetery where they were able to pay their respects to Princess Patricia at her resting place, a cherished moment of their time in Windsor.
While conducting public duties, the contingent was informed of the passing of our second Colonel- in-Chief, Lady Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mount- batten of Burma. Members of the contingent who had already completed their scheduled duties were given the solemn honour of acting as the bearer party for her funeral. The funeral was attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, The Prince of Wales, and several other members of the Royal Family. Upon the conclusion of the service, His Royal Highness, Prince Charles shared his thanks for the hard work and dedication shown by the members of 2 PPCLI for both the mounting of the guards, and the conduct of the funeral service.
The efforts and hard work shown by the soldiers and officers of 2 PPCLI during their time in the United Kingdom did not go unnoticed by the members of the British Ministry of Defence and Royal Family, and is a testament to the discipline and dedication of the men and women of the Regiment and the CAF as a whole.
The Second Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Bearer Party move Lady Patricia from the St. Paul’s Church following her funeral service. (Photo by: Cpl Jay Ekin)
192 ALLIANCES
THE RIFLES