Coronation: More than 200 take part in parade
GUERNSEY’S Coronation celebrations began with a parade of serving and veteran military personnel from Fort George to the Castle Emplacement.
Grey overcast skies mirrored those in London, as the parade set off at 10.15 at the same point as the King began his journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Cathedral.
Before leaving the combined forces were inspected by the Deputy Bailiff, Jessica Roland.
‘With the Bailiff away at the Coronation, it has been my honour to be involved in these celebrations in some small way,’ she said.
More than 200 people took part in the parade, including a contingent from 201 ‘Guernsey’s Own’ Squadron, veterans, cadets, scouts and visiting military personnel from the Gurkhas, and HMS Puncher.
Major Bob Place, of the Royal British Legion, was one of the event organisers.
‘The Lt-Governor and Bailiff asked us to get involved. We very much wanted to give everyone a special memory of where they were on Coronation day.
Veteran Joules Morris, who served for 12 years in the Royal Navy, said he had especially wanted to take part as the march went down Le Val des Terres.
‘We have never marched down there before, so it’s a very special occasion, we probably won’t have the chance again until the next Coronation.’
His comrade, Ian Batchelor, of the Royal Corps of Transport, was one of the men who would miss King Charles’ crowning to fire the 21 gun salute from the Crown Battery at noon.
‘There will be seven guns each manned by three men. It will mean missing the actual Coronation moment, but I’m sure to see it later.’
