“For Queen & Country” (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Earlier this morning I heard the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen ElizabethⅡ.

For almost all of my 73 years the Queen has been a constant presence in my life and also many millions of others in the UK and around the Commonwealth.

Among my earliest memories was her coronation in 1953 when we had a huge ‘Street Party’ in our street where every house and tenement building was festooned with ‘Union Jacks’ and red, white and blue bunting traversed above the street itself between opposite buildings.

As a kid what was even better was the endless supply of lemonade, ice cream and sweets (candies). Every child was presented with a ceramic mug with the Queen’s portrait on the front plus a little plastic model of the ocean liner ‘Queen Elizabeth’ filled with more sweets… Back in the early 50s, Britain still had ‘rationing’ eight years after the end of the war!!!

What a great day.

Many years later, as a Royal Marine, I took part in a parade to mark the 30[SUP]th[/SUP] Anniversary of D.Day in 1974.

One parade took place in Portsmouth, where many of the ‘Overlord’ ships and landing craft sailed from while a second parade took us to Normandy.

I was fortunate to march past the Queen and Prince Philip on both occasions and I’m sure myself and all the other ‘bootnecks’ taking part marched a little more proudly knowing the Queen herself was watching us.

Britain has been blessed by having this amazing woman as our monarch and head-of-state.

Politicians come and go and the Queen reigned through 15 different Prime Ministers… From the greats like Churchill and Thatcher to some of the bloody awful incompetents that all too often afflict every great nation.

Through all the trials and tribulations as Britain and the whole world changed around us the Queen was a steadying ‘hand-on-the-tiller’.

Within her own family there has been no shortage of scandal and disappointment but never has the Queen let her people or country down… or her God.

Alas, we will not see her like again! May she rest in peace… God bless Queen ElizabethⅡ...God Save The King!

Sincerely,
Andy

 

[Grey Heron]

Thanks Andy for your service and kind thoughts. As a former soldier of 27 years service I was proud to march with our colours blessed by the Queen. I'll pray for her eternal peace.

God Bless the King!

 

[villagehorse]

A very nice sentiment Andy. Everybody is feeling the loss, certainly here in Australia. We are all guilty of taking things for granted until they are taken away and than the realisation hits home on how much in this case, the Queen was so significant in our life. So many fond memories to reflect on. A wonderful reign. Robin.:salute::

 

[Northgate Woods]

Andy mate,

What a great and fitting tribute to a Great Lady. I like you have only known Queen Elizabeth as my Monarch for my adult life.

God Bless The Queen and may she Rest In Peace.

Cheers Howard:salute::

 

[Terp152]

Andy mate,

What a great and fitting tribute to a Great Lady. I like you have only known Queen Elizabeth as my Monarch for my adult life.

God Bless The Queen and may she Rest In Peace.

Cheers Howard:salute::

View attachment 290814

Reminds me of a favorite memory of Queen Elizabeth riding horseback during a review of the troops. A would be assassin fired shots at her. Her horse reared and bucked but she didn't panic and maintained control of her mount and continued the review. And she was riding side saddle! We will not see the likes of that again. RIP

 

[Barkmann]

Nice tribute, I served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, 40 Commando RM 1981 to 1995. Was 4 times on parade when she was there, only saw her from many yards away. We always said ‘Madge’ is coming down for a visit, get the kettle on, best cups out and don’t forget the biscuits. I always think she must have thought the world smelt of paint, as the few days and hours before she visited anywhere there was someone painting everything.

She was a constant in our lives, I remember hearing a US President once say when he was in her presence, he realised he was not, as normally is, the most important in the room, she was the most important, even when in a room in the US. I challenge anyone to name a more respected Human Being than Queen Elizabeth II, never put a foot wrong, the personification of elegance. People tend to forget she was not born to a Queen, it was circumstance that made her Queen, but she stepped up and was willing to put her head above the parapet and serve her Country and the then what was the Empire, now the Commonwealth [which is now still 30% of the World’s population].

May She Rest In Peace and be with Prince Phillip, surrounded by her Corgi’s, with a Gin her hand, watching the Horse Racing. Those were her passions.

God Save King Charles III

 

[MLH13]

Nice tribute, I served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, 40 Commando RM 1981 to 1995. Was 4 times on parade when she was there, only saw her from many yards away. We always said ‘Madge’ is coming down for a visit, get the kettle on, best cups out and don’t forget the biscuits. I always think she must have thought the world smelt of paint, as the few days and hours before she visited anywhere there was someone painting everything.

She was a constant in our lives, I remember hearing a US President once say when he was in her presence, he realised he was not, as normally is, the most important in the room, she was the most important, even when in a room in the US. I challenge anyone to name a more respected Human Being than Queen Elizabeth II, never put a foot wrong, the personification of elegance. People tend to forget she was not born to a Queen, it was circumstance that made her Queen, but she stepped up and was willing to put her head above the parapet and serve her Country and the then what was the Empire, now the Commonwealth [which is now still 30% of the World’s population].

May She Rest In Peace and be with Prince Phillip, surrounded by her Corgi’s, with a Gin her hand, watching the Horse Racing. Those were her passions.

God Save King Charles III

Beautifully said.

Indeed, the entire world has a great sense of loss, and we feel it here in The States as well.

Mark

 

[bromhead]

best wishes

 

[Barkmann]

Beautifully said.

Indeed, the entire world has a great sense of loss, and we feel it here in The States as well.

Mark

Cheers, i went over to the US, while serving in the Royal Marines in the late 1980s. Joint training exercise and was asked by a US Ranger, Larry, [with whom i was in the coordinating team with] that could i bring over any UK magazines etc with pictures in or articles on the queen etc. He said his mother and aunt loved her and they did not collect stuff on the queen they 'harvested it'. I took over a pile about 4 inches thick of our 'women's glossy' magazines etc and he said when he took him to him mum and aunt they were stunned. That was the affect the queen had on people, the UK, US, Africa, China, i think she was loved and in decades and hundreds of years those studying history will, i think, be more able to realise the affect she had on the world. Putin sent a personal message to King Charles III,

Putin said: “Your Majesty, Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

By the way i continued to send the Royality stuff for around 12-15 years, until they had both passed away. At one point i found a lifesize cardboard cut out of the queen and sent that. Larry told me once she was so appreciative that his father was worried that if she ever met me her appreciation would overflow and he was worried about their marriage with the consequences. Lost touch with larry when i left the Royal Marines, but i hope today he is raising a glass to the Queen and his dear old mom and Aunt who got such joy from a wonderful Human Being, Queen Elizabeth II.

 

[theBaron]

She was a great example of grace, class, and of doing one's duty for others. We won't see her like again, I'm afraid.

Prost!
Brad

 

[damian]

She was great

 

[HAWKEYE]

it brings a tear to ines on knowing she has gone. i saw her passing down the mall back to buckingham palace after the trooping of the color

 

[King & Country]

it brings a tear to ines on knowing she has gone. i saw her passing down the mall back to buckingham palace after the trooping of the color

When it comes to ‘Ceremonial Parades’ like ‘Trooping The Colour’…nobody does it better than the British!
Of course as a former ‘Bootneck’ I am more than a wee bit biased!!!
All the best Guys,
Andy.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Great post Andy. She will be sorely missed and for many an inspiration. Below is a recollection by a former Aussie PM which says it all about Her Majesty.

Paul Keating recounted his first meeting with ER II when he was Prime Minister. He met her at Sandringham and they were discussing thing into the afternoon when the Queen asked Keating if he wanted a formal sit-down dinner or a barbecue that evening. Keating chose a barbecue and the Queen loaded up the land-rover and they headed off.
Prince Phillip was already at the barbecue site and he cooked the meals then excused himself and went off back to the house. After the Queen and Keating had finished their dinner, she loaded the plates, cutlery, etc. back into the land rover and she drove them back to the house.
When they arrived back at the house it was late and all the household staff had retired for the night. The Queen unloaded the gear and took it into the kitchen and asked Keating if he preferred washing up or drying the dishes. This surprised Keating so he said he’d dry the dishes and the Queen was scrubbing them in the sink. Keating said that he’d always have this memory of ER II up to her elbows in suds in the kitchen sink.

 

[King & Country]

Great post Andy. She will be sorely missed and for many an inspiration. Below is a recollection by a former Aussie PM which says it all about Her Majesty.

Paul Keating recounted his first meeting with ER II when he was Prime Minister. He met her at Sandringham and they were discussing thing into the afternoon when the Queen asked Keating if he wanted a formal sit-down dinner or a barbecue that evening. Keating chose a barbecue and the Queen loaded up the land-rover and they headed off.
Prince Phillip was already at the barbecue site and he cooked the meals then excused himself and went off back to the house. After the Queen and Keating had finished their dinner, she loaded the plates, cutlery, etc. back into the land rover and she drove them back to the house.
When they arrived back at the house it was late and all the household staff had retired for the night. The Queen unloaded the gear and took it into the kitchen and asked Keating if he preferred washing up or drying the dishes. This surprised Keating so he said he’d dry the dishes and the Queen was scrubbing them in the sink. Keating said that he’d always have this memory of ER II up to her elbows in suds in the kitchen sink.

Terrific story Brett, many thanks!
The Queen had this amazing ability to put people at ease whether they be high or low… And never afraid of hard work either.
All the best and stay well,
Andy.