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HMS OCEAN ALBION - A GRAND
DAY OUT
I was surprised and delighted to he in receipt of an invitation to attend a
reception on
HMS Ocean in July which would also he attended by HM The Queen.
Having accepted the invitation I eagerly awaited the day. Sadly a few days
before the event was to take place we were advised that due to the outbreak
of a potentially contagious respiratory infection being discovered on board
HMS Ocean she was to remain at sea in quarantine. However all was not lost
as HMS Albion had been ordered to deputise and host the reception at
Greenwich.
After an early start Major Mayhead. the Regimental Sergeant Major, RQMS and
our guests founds ourselves at Greenwich and after some stringent security
measures we were taken onboard a pleasure craft out to the ship and ushered
up the steps onto the vehicle deck for light refreshments.
After a short while it was up on to the flight deck to watch the marching
display by the sea cadet band completed just before the Queen arrived by
helicopter. Once she had inspected the guard of honour all in attendance
were invited back downstairs for a buffet lunch whilst the Queen circulated
amongst the guests. I was privileged to be one of those she stopped to chat
to and we discussed life in Windsor and the fact that the musket shots from
the re-enactment society participating in the association day at Victoria
Barracks the previous Saturday had startled her dogs!
Once the final musical display had been completed and the impressive rope
climbing display by the sea cadets had finished it was time to depart for
home having had a grand day out!
Major R J HOWICK Company Commander HQ Company
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