CORONATION DAY 1953

We were told that our little unit was to attend the Coronation Day parade at the the football stadium in Dusseldorf. So, up all night doing the usual bullshit and then when we arived there next day we found that we were only to be spectators while the Guards held the parade - no inspection or anything - someone up the line had got it wrong (once more)!
Anyone else have memories of parading that day.

I was watching a programme about the coronation earlier this evening and, to revive an old subject, I noticed that all those on parade, including the Guards, were marching with their arms waist belt high.
The Drill Book dictated that arms were to be swung to that height, so how did the stupid swinging to shoulder height creep in ?

Coronation Day I was part of the 20 Armoured Brigade Signal Squadron contingent, took the Salute through the 'bren hatch' on the brigade signal centre - now that was a BS parade even for the Signals, we polished and painted our vehicles, even burnished the radio antenna, wheel nuts on vehicles red, white and blue - the 17/21 Lancers looked superb in full dress and when they dipped their guns in unison on the 3 brigade HQ tanks they got a hugh round of applause from the locals. Also on parade that day, were the 17/21 Lancers as a unit, 2nd Tanks, KRRC, and I believe the RHA. Still waiting for my Coronation Medal - Dream on Boy, Dream on.

Len (Ciphers)

I was doing my NS training as an Electrical Mechanic (Air) at RAF Melksham.

As far as I recall there was no parade on the camp, I was supposed to be "working " in the cookhouse, but -and don't tell anyone, I was in Trafalgar Square trying to watch the goings on. All around were gnomes with cardboard periscopes which went up each time something went by.

Result-hardly saw a thing, so I went back home and watched the rest on the girlfriend's TV.
Much more exciting.

I was 7 years old, living in Glasgow. My mother knew someone who lived in Milngavie who owned a television. Four tram cars and three buses later we arrived just in time for the Coronation, unfortunately my mothers friend was the only person in Milngavie who had a TV so, the whole street were invited to watch on what seemed like a 12in screen. I also recall an enterprising chap taking the kids for a ride on his pony and cart, he was probably a Rag and Bone man, but when I think about it there weren't many Rag and Bone men in Milngavie!

Out of Polperro on the Duggie and Sunbeam S8, the Coronation ceremony could be heard from the open windows of the cottages as we left for Newquay. Got in digs run by two old maids who said we didn't need a key as they didn't lock up until 10 pm.
Disaster ! We tossed up for who would go back early & let the other two in...... Dennis lost, said fair do's we'd have to buy the pop all night....... Coronation Ale it was, very potent stuff in half pint bottles. One swig and he wanted another.

Dennis duly sneaked us in, but he'd had his fill & more. He tripped on the top step of the staircase and puked, We cleared up most of it with some stuff (might have been curtains ! ) from the bathroom. Breakfast was traumatic. Conversation stopped when we went in, wives were nudged when husbands growled "That's them !". It had been a good night though !

You sure you were only 7 Sheldrake !
My wife's grandfather was a rag and bone man in Paisley - plenty of em there, she tells me.

As an 8 years old, at a boys boarding school in the north east of Scotland in 1953. Three of the teachers had black and white TV sets in their houses that were on the School grounds sevral groups of the boys were invited in to watch the Coronation on small black and white sets.

I can remember a few weeks after the actual Coronation, the whole school, 90 boys and staff etc were taken to see a colour film of the Coronation and the Everest expedition of Hunt and Tenzing. It was a really treat back then, when the UK was still in the grips of forms of rationing - clothes and sweets were still on ration, so I seem to recall.

[quote="Cliffo"]You sure you were only 7 Sheldrake !
My wife's grandfather was a rag and bone man in Paisley - plenty of em there, she tells me.

[/quote


6years and 11 months to be exact, Cliffo - I remember him, my mother got my first suit (And a goldfish) from him!!