The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11
by Martin Willcocks

At the time, we had just moved out of London, in January 1953, about when my grandmother died in Walthamstow. We had lived in South Woodford during the war years, and the December 1952 smog had put grandma in the hospital, where she learned she had terminal cancer. She had long suffered from what is now called multiple sclerosis, and was pretty much totally disabled.

In around April 1953 my mother found a cottage in Ashdon, Essex, and we were able to move in some time in May. Our chimney was equipped with a TV aerial, the only one on our street, as we had bought a fringe model TV about four years earlier. I was going to school at Newport, Essex, and the school arranged a special trip to London for the Coronation. The rest of the family were able to watch it all on TV. It had been an exciting period before the event, with Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing's conquest of Mount Everest just days before.

The party from our school travelled to another school in the London area - could have been Ilford, though I'm not sure exactly where it was. We slept in the gym, having brought sleeping bags etc. Early on the morning of the Coronation, we were taken to a supreme spot just outside Westminster Abbey, where we stood until the ceremony was over. It was, of course, pouring with rain for at least six hours, that day! We had all come prepared with raincoats and umbrellas.

For an hour or two before the actual ceremony, we saw visiting dignitaries arrive, and they were announced over the "Tannoy" loudspeakers placed strategically around the Abbey. Queen Salote of Tonga was one that I remembered particularly. Eventually, the Gold Coach passed by us, with the Queen waving. and then, the ceremony started.

"Vivat!, Vivat Regina Elizabetha!" Magnificent music like "Zadok, the Priest, and Nathan, the Prophet, anointed Solomon King" by G. F. Handel, and the anthem "I Was Glad" (from which the Vivat! came), Walton's "Orb and Sceptre" march, and so much more. And of course the commentary on what was happening inside the Abbey.

After the ceremony, the Queen again passed by us in the Gold Coach, on her way back to the Palace. We were, as I learned later, at the one point on the route around Westminster Abbey where we could see Her Majesty both coming and going! And then, for about another hour, the crowds gradually dispersed, and we were bussed back to the London school, and then to our original school, arriving home before the end of a most memorable day.

I am very grateful that I was able to participate, and to take away a memory of that glorious day. Since then, of course, we have been treated to film footage of the Coronation on TV, and of many other Royal events; the marriage of Prince Charles, that of Prince Andrew, the Princes Trust concerts, etc., but there is nothing like the excitement and sense of occasion of actually being present at such an historical occasion, truly once in a lifetime for many of us.

(Copyright (c) 2006 Martin Willcocks, used by permission.)

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The Queens Coronation

by Jean Williams

I was in my last year at Primary School so was 10 years old. The Embankment
had been reserved for schoolchildren from all over the country and each
school was allocated a small number of tickets. In my school, they put all
our names in a hat and I was one of the lucky ones. It was a very wet day
(as usual!) and we set off early in the morning to take up our places. The
whole of the route was lined with policemen and soldiers and we had to sit
on the pavement behind them. As I was very small, I remember thinking that
I wouldn't be able to see anything as I had a policeman right in front of me
but when the procession started, I was allowed to move to the front and had
a lovely view. It was all so exciting as I had never seen the Queen or any
member of the Royal Family in my life. When the King had died, that morning
we were all brought into the hall for a special assembly. The Head teacher
announced that the King had died the night before and she was crying. I
remember thinking that she must have known him really well as she was so
upset! Of course, now I know different but then I thought she must be his
friend!!

At the Coronation we were all given a small pack of sandwiches, a cake and a
carton of Kiora orange juice. The gold coach that carried the Queen was so
beautiful and she looked like a bride. I had a really good view of her.
Once the procession had passed we had a long wait until it all came back
again and we ate our lunch. Everyone had flags and there was cheering and
waving.

When I got home, a street party had been organised but as it was so wet, it
was moved into the school. We had lots of races and competitions and were
all given souveniers - I still have my cup, saucer and plate that every
child in the country was given.

I have never forgotten the day as you can see and I was so lucky to have
been chosen to go.

Jean Williams

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