National Remembrance Day in the UK 11th November 2012

On Sunday, 11th November 2012, I marched on British Legion's Remembrance Day.

The BBC recorded the ceremony on TV, as it has always done, and when I returned home later in the day I spotted myself marching past the cenotaph. I'm the white bearded old chap, top right, one rank down.

I suppose the simplest way to record the day is to set it out as timetable so, while it is still fresh in my memory, here goes.

07:30
I left home, by car, and drove the few miles to Totteridge & Whetstone Tube Station where I parked and caught the first train to Leicester Square. I normally would have used Cockfosters Stn which is just minutes away from my home but typically for Armistice Day it was closed for track maintainence so it had to be Totteridge.

07:50
On the first train, and was immediately, because I was dressed ready for the march, taken into conversation by someone who wanted to know about my ww2 service and said that although he could not be at the march he would be paying his respects at a service in the Guards chapel in Birdcage Walk.

08:25
At Leicester Square where I called into a very civilised coffee bar where I stoked up with a coffee & Danish before the 10 minute walk downhill to Horseguards.

08:50
On the parade ground looking for the AJEX meeting up point with it's D4 marker.

09:00 to 10:45
A bloody long wait, necessary I suppose, because of the large numbers of would-be marchers but sensibly there were places where one could get a hot drink or respond to calls of nature.
It was very interesting to see the various groups forming up including a fairly large group of Chelsea Pensioners who marched onto the parade ground presumably having arrived by coach and had been dropped off at a nearby stop.

10:45
We marched of, now being 27 in number, went through the Horse Guards Archway and promptly, to my surprise, turned sharp left so that we were heading towards Trafalgar Square. After a hundred yards or so we right wheeled so that we were now facing towards the Cenotaph.
There was then much shuffling forward until we reached our designated position, bang opposite the Whitehall entrance to Horse Guards, and although we were within sight of a large TV screen I realised that once again I would have to wait until my return home before I could really see what was taking place.
We had all been handed a tiny sheet setting out the religious service but I couldn't help thinking a list setting out all the marching groups would have been equally appreciated,

11:45
As our column, D, was one of the last we waited patiently for our turn to march off but the time was well spent applauding the other groups as they marched off towards the Cenotaph.

12:00
We finally passed the cenotaph where the AJEX wreath,in the traditional shape of a Shield of David, was handed to the ushers for it's placement.

As we proceeded along Whitehall, the noise of appreciation coming from the spectators was quite un-believing. I can't remember any time in my life when I was so conscious of this type of support and I have to admit that to a large extent this and the stirring music from the bands was the only thing that kept my now aching legs moving!

13:00
Back in Leicester Square I rested my aching limbs on a park bench and used my mobile to call home

13:48
Home again, with the realisation that next Sunday (the 18th) I have a repeat performance with AJEX's own Remembrance Parade. Fortunately for me there should be less standing around and a shorter marching route.

So that's about it......

By some queer chance, our spot in Whitehall for the 2012 ceremony was exactly opposite from where I had watched the 1946 parade and from where I had also taken a picture looking back towards Trafalgar Square !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/40/a4768040.shtml

Ron

 

Thanks for sharing your photos, Ron. I spotted you right away in the photo of the television broadcast.

That is quite the coincidence. Almost seems like a kind of metaphor, though I'm not sure for what.