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The recollections of Tony Mills - Midland Area Rep
Our National Secretary was made aware of an invitation from the charity The Not Forgotten for six tickets for ROCA delegates, and their guests, to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The event, held by kind permission of His Majesty The King, was to be held on Friday, 17 th May 2024 in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
Interested applicants’ names were entered into a ballot and I was both amazed and delighted to learn that my name was one of the six names selected. I decided my guest would be my wife Isobel who has always supported me in all my endeavours and my service with ROC/ROCA.
To be on the safe side we booked a room in a hotel in Victoria for the Thursday. The weather was atrocious with a cold wind and heavy rain. However, come Friday morning the sun was shining and the temperature had risen considerably. As we had the morning available we took the short walk to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. It was performed by the RAF King’s Colour Squadron supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Colour Squadron is made up exclusively of Officers and Gunners of the RAF Regiment. A very smart performance.
Just before two o’clock suitably booted and suited we made our way to the Centre Gates and were very quickly processed through the security process by the police.
The days event was, in part, to commemorate and pay tribute to the success of the allied invasion of D-Day and honour the servicemen who took part. As part of the invasion armada the nearly 800 embarked ROC ‘Seaborne’ force helped protect it and its crucial airborne elements by expert aircraft identification and gun fire direction against enemy air attacks.
The lawns were magnificent as people gathered around the Grand marquee where sandwiches, cakes and pastries were served with tea or iced coffee and fruit juices. Due to a bit of advanced planning our contingent were able to gather to share the afternoon.
At precisely 13:00 the National Anthem heralded the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. After the initial formalities Her Royal highness and Vice Admiral Tim moved through the garden visiting pre-designated groups of guests. This gave the ROC members the opportunity to take photographs and get to know one another better.
ROCA was well represented with members from 4 Group Colchester, 7 Group Bedford, 8 Group Coventry, 15 Group Lincoln, 17 Group Wrexham and 31 Group Belfast. Eight of our party were former serving ROC members and we were especially privileged to count among our number June Jay. June’s late husband Peter was one of the ‘Seaborne’ members. He sailed with the invasion fleet at the age of 18. On his return he was called up for training with the RAF as an air gunner.
In the later afternoon the Yeoman of the Guard paraded to escort Her Royal Highness from the meeting and greeting of guests. The Beating Retreat was played by the band of the Irish Guard under the direction of Captain Peter Brydon. The Salute was received by her Royal highness The Princess Royal accompanied by Admiral of The Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst.
Guests began dispersing at 17:00. A wonderful experience that will live long in the memory.
Our National Secretary was made aware of an invitation from the charity The Not Forgotten for six tickets for ROCA delegates, and their guests, to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. The event, held by kind permission of His Majesty The King, was to be held on Friday, 17 th May 2024 in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
Interested applicants’ names were entered into a ballot and I was both amazed and delighted to learn that my name was one of the six names selected. I decided my guest would be my wife Isobel who has always supported me in all my endeavours and my service with ROC/ROCA.
To be on the safe side we booked a room in a hotel in Victoria for the Thursday. The weather was atrocious with a cold wind and heavy rain. However, come Friday morning the sun was shining and the temperature had risen considerably. As we had the morning available we took the short walk to Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. It was performed by the RAF King’s Colour Squadron supported by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Colour Squadron is made up exclusively of Officers and Gunners of the RAF Regiment. A very smart performance.
Just before two o’clock suitably booted and suited we made our way to the Centre Gates and were very quickly processed through the security process by the police.
The days event was, in part, to commemorate and pay tribute to the success of the allied invasion of D-Day and honour the servicemen who took part. As part of the invasion armada the nearly 800 embarked ROC ‘Seaborne’ force helped protect it and its crucial airborne elements by expert aircraft identification and gun fire direction against enemy air attacks.
The lawns were magnificent as people gathered around the Grand marquee where sandwiches, cakes and pastries were served with tea or iced coffee and fruit juices. Due to a bit of advanced planning our contingent were able to gather to share the afternoon.
At precisely 13:00 the National Anthem heralded the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. After the initial formalities Her Royal highness and Vice Admiral Tim moved through the garden visiting pre-designated groups of guests. This gave the ROC members the opportunity to take photographs and get to know one another better.
ROCA was well represented with members from 4 Group Colchester, 7 Group Bedford, 8 Group Coventry, 15 Group Lincoln, 17 Group Wrexham and 31 Group Belfast. Eight of our party were former serving ROC members and we were especially privileged to count among our number June Jay. June’s late husband Peter was one of the ‘Seaborne’ members. He sailed with the invasion fleet at the age of 18. On his return he was called up for training with the RAF as an air gunner.
In the later afternoon the Yeoman of the Guard paraded to escort Her Royal Highness from the meeting and greeting of guests. The Beating Retreat was played by the band of the Irish Guard under the direction of Captain Peter Brydon. The Salute was received by her Royal highness The Princess Royal accompanied by Admiral of The Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst.
Guests began dispersing at 17:00. A wonderful experience that will live long in the memory.
The recollections of Richard Elliott - 4 Group
ROCA Representatives:
Mr Nigel Crockard and Mrs Tracey Malcolm - 31 Group - Belfast
Mr Richard Elliott and Mrs Carol Elliott- 4 Group - Colchester,
Mr James Gould and Mrs Heather Gould - 8 Group - Coventry
Mr Andrew Môn Hughes and Mrs Judith Farrar - 17 Group - N Wales- RAF Wrexham
Mrs June Jay and Mrs Jean Holmes - 15 Group - Lincoln
Mr Anthony Mills and Mrs Isobel Mills- 7 Group - Bedford
On a fine Friday afternoon 17th May '24, following several days of bad weather, (not unlike like D Day 1944) the contingent of six fortunate ROCA members & their guests who were successfully selected as Association representatives, joined many others at the 'Not Forgotten' Garden Party at at Buckingham Palace. All coming together to commemorate & pay tribute to the success of the Invasion and honour the Servicemen who took part.
As part of the Invasion armada the nearly 800 embarked ROC 'Seaborne 'force members helped protect it and its crucial airborne elements by expert aircraft identification and fire direction against any enemy air attackers.
Order of Formal Events:
At 1345 Buckingham Palace gates opened and in smooth good order the pre-checked visitors were given entry.
At 1415, serving of the tea commenced in the Grand marquee.
At 1500, the National Anthem announced the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
After the initial formalities Her Royal Highness and Vice admiral Tim moved through the Garden visiting pre-designated groups of guests.
The food & drink provisioning as would be expected, was excellent, tea, iced coffee & fruit drinks, with lovely sandwiches, cakes pastries and tarts in ample & continuing provision. Later in the afternoon a range of flavoured tubs of ice cream were brought around for the assembly as well as further beverages.
In the course of the afternoon The Yeomen of the Guard paraded and the band of Irish Guards played by kind permission of Major General James Bowder OBE, General Officer Commanding London District and Major General Commanding the Household Division, performing under the direction of Captain Peter Brydon; as well as several hard-working & staunch, accomplished bagpipers.
At 1640 Band of the Irish guards then performed Beating Retreat. The salute was received by HRH Princess Royal accompanied by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst.
Although scheduled to depart at 1650 HRH Princess Anne Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence stayed with us and other guests until much later, with the visitors generally leaving much closer to 1730 than the stated 1700!
Click on images for full size
ROCA Representatives:
Mr Nigel Crockard and Mrs Tracey Malcolm - 31 Group - Belfast
Mr Richard Elliott and Mrs Carol Elliott- 4 Group - Colchester,
Mr James Gould and Mrs Heather Gould - 8 Group - Coventry
Mr Andrew Môn Hughes and Mrs Judith Farrar - 17 Group - N Wales- RAF Wrexham
Mrs June Jay and Mrs Jean Holmes - 15 Group - Lincoln
Mr Anthony Mills and Mrs Isobel Mills- 7 Group - Bedford
On a fine Friday afternoon 17th May '24, following several days of bad weather, (not unlike like D Day 1944) the contingent of six fortunate ROCA members & their guests who were successfully selected as Association representatives, joined many others at the 'Not Forgotten' Garden Party at at Buckingham Palace. All coming together to commemorate & pay tribute to the success of the Invasion and honour the Servicemen who took part.
As part of the Invasion armada the nearly 800 embarked ROC 'Seaborne 'force members helped protect it and its crucial airborne elements by expert aircraft identification and fire direction against any enemy air attackers.
Order of Formal Events:
At 1345 Buckingham Palace gates opened and in smooth good order the pre-checked visitors were given entry.
At 1415, serving of the tea commenced in the Grand marquee.
At 1500, the National Anthem announced the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
After the initial formalities Her Royal Highness and Vice admiral Tim moved through the Garden visiting pre-designated groups of guests.
The food & drink provisioning as would be expected, was excellent, tea, iced coffee & fruit drinks, with lovely sandwiches, cakes pastries and tarts in ample & continuing provision. Later in the afternoon a range of flavoured tubs of ice cream were brought around for the assembly as well as further beverages.
In the course of the afternoon The Yeomen of the Guard paraded and the band of Irish Guards played by kind permission of Major General James Bowder OBE, General Officer Commanding London District and Major General Commanding the Household Division, performing under the direction of Captain Peter Brydon; as well as several hard-working & staunch, accomplished bagpipers.
At 1640 Band of the Irish guards then performed Beating Retreat. The salute was received by HRH Princess Royal accompanied by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst.
Although scheduled to depart at 1650 HRH Princess Anne Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence stayed with us and other guests until much later, with the visitors generally leaving much closer to 1730 than the stated 1700!
Click on images for full size
