On Sunday 8 November 2015, Ben Gillett, St Martin's Crew Manager for the Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service, took part in the National Service of Remembrance in London. We're delighted that Ben has shared the following fascinating account of his experience which you can read in full below.
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Each year a member of the Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service gets invited to join the Civilian Services Contingent at the National Service of Remembrance. This year I had the great honour of being the ‘chosen one’.
We find out whether or not we have been accepted to attend in August/September as the security is very strict and they have to do a lot of background checks. This also gives us time to acquire the correct uniform from the Cornwall Fire Service.
Nearer the time you receive reams of paperwork all stamped with: ‘Official-Sensitive’. This outlines what is expected of you: what to wear and all the dos and don’ts. Although initially quite daunting it is obviously organised with military precision.
Travel-wise you have to muster at a pre-booked London hotel by a set time on the Saturday before the event. Fortunately this pretty much coincided with our return from the half term holidays so as I was already up country visiting family. We were therefore able to save the Council any travel expenses from Scilly to London, though I must apologise to Maddy for messing the dates up on more than one occasion!
Upon arriving at the very smart Thames side hotel, you book into your room and are then photographed and signed in as a member of the Civilian Services Contingent (CSC15). You then have time to find your room and sort out your uniform ready for the next day. There is a mandatory briefing on that Saturday evening which you must neither miss nor be late for.
Arriving down for the briefing (smart clothes only, no jeans etc. allowed) you enter a large conference hall with around 240 other fellow CSC delegates from all walks of life, from all corners of the country and of all official ranks from your top brass to civilian volunteers. Despite this mixture we all have something in common, no one knew anyone else we did not know what to expect and we were all somewhat out of our comfort zones.
After having a few orders barked at us we were all seated and the briefing began. This involved a description of what will happen on the Sunday, photos of previous years, the history behind the CSC and the different services involved. The main contingency was probably Police, then us Fire service followed by Ambulance, HM Prison, Red Cross, and the St. Johns Ambulance. There was a short presentation by the Defence Medical Welfare Service who was the chosen charity for this year’s event.
Throughout the briefing it was made perfectly clear that what we were told was HOW it was going to happen and there would be no discussion, whatever your rank. They need to get all 240 of us working as one, in perfect unity, as the public eye (and YouTube if it goes wrong!) will be watching us. After the briefing a buffet meal was laid on, giving us the chance to relax a bit and chat with fellow delegates.
Breakfast was laid on from 0530 as we had to check out of our rooms ready to leave the hotel by 0615. Once again breakfast was a well-oiled machine and went like clockwork. Mind you, we were now all in our parade uniforms and terrified of spilling baked bean juice or tomato ketchup down our fronts. After breakfast it was up to your room (careful in the lifts not to tread on each other’s highly polished shoes) for a final check that you have everything and that all your medals are straight and in the correct order. Then, poppies on and down to reception to return your room key/card. We congregate in our pre-arranged detachments to await some very eager sniffer dogs. Once clear of security, we board the coaches for the short journey to Whitehall. This journey in itself was an experience as being so early and with all the security in place the streets were totally deserted, especially around Buckingham Palace and The Mall. Finally we arrive at the Foreign and Commonwealth office where the fun really begins.
Two hundred and forty-ish men and women of all ages, who have never worked together — many of whom have never had to be on parade — and we must be a smart, cohesive marching detachment ready to be inspected by a member of the government and then march out and be presented to the public, television cameras and our Queen. All this in a matter of a couple of hours and with only three drill sergeants to teach us… and it has just started to rain.
By 0930 we are not looking bad. The drill sergeants were hoarse, but have tactfully positioned the no-hopers between the more adept ones and with their brilliant military instructions and enforcement have got us looking and sounding pretty good.
Very hard work. Concentrating, marching, turning about, standing to attention, at ease, stand easy time and time and time again. All in total silence, only the sound of the drill sergeant, the united stomp of feet and the jingle of numerous proudly worn medals, all on a cobbled courtyard in the inner sanctum of the Foreign Commonwealth Office.
We are finally lined up and stood to attention to be inspected by this year’s two dignitaries: Sara Thornton, Chair of National Police Chiefs, and the Rt Hon. Greg Clark MP. They slowly walk up and down making small talk to the selected few. I had a bit of a chat with Greg Clark as he saw my identity badge and he holidays on Scilly each year (mind you, surprisingly, he didn’t take up my offer of pitch on our campsite this summer!).
Inspection and speeches over, we march past the dignitaries. ‘Eyes Left’ ‘Eyes Front’ and out, down King Charles Street and into the public eye. No going back now; at least it has stopped raining.
As we march to the beat of the Royal Naval Band, we are suddenly aware of the hundreds of people and ex-servicemen all along the pavements, the television cameras, Union flags waving, police (covert and not so covert), the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Royal Navy all in their wonderful ceremonial finery, and all with the amazing backdrop of London architecture. You can’t help but smile and soak it all in.
Down Whitehall, ‘turn to the left’, ‘Eyes Front’, ‘Stand at Ease’ and that’s it. From now on you do not move, you do not twitch, you certainly do not look around. If someone next to you faints, you do not move (the army will race in and scoop them up). All you can do is wiggle your toes and look with your eyes.
We are brought to attention as Big Ben strikes 1100, and instantly everywhere falls silent leaving each of us with our own personal thoughts. We are then brought around again by the sound of the big guns and the ever evocative Last Post. ‘Stand at Ease’ it is good to move to a different position, but after a further two and a half hours stood at ease we are all starting to struggle. I watch as my neighbouring colleagues subtly try to alleviate the leg pain by rocking from one foot to the other, gently raising and lowering their stiff shoulders, and gently rolling their heads, hoping that no one has seen. My feet and legs were not too painful (probably as they are so short) although my shoulders were very uncomfortable, but when you think of what we are up there for and what others have gone through, having to stand still and be uncomfortable for 4 or so hours really isn’t much to ask.
Finally, after all the veterans have finished their march past, it is the turn of the Army, Air Force and Naval bands to march off. Then it is the turn of the CSC15. We get to march past the Cenotaph, ‘Eyes Left’ as a sign of respect ‘Eyes Front’ and march on past the crowds, heads held high marching to the beat of the Royal Naval band. And so back to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, back to attention for some final words, including a big pat on the back for all of us for not disgracing ourselves or the organisations we represent. A huge vote of thanks to the drill sergeants and for all of the people who organised the whole CSC15 event.
After the final dismiss we had the opportunity to pop through the archway to Downing Street and have an official photo taken in front of Number 10. Then time to change back into civvies, pack away the uniform and off you go. That’s it, you are back to being a normal member of the public.
I decided to walk back to Victoria Station and stop at Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey just to soak up a bit more of the atmosphere and make the most of such a special occasion.
If anyone is still awake after reading all of this rambling, the one thing I would say is that if you ever get the opportunity to go to the Remembrance Day Ceremony, and especially if you can be part of the parade, do it. It is a once in a life time opportunity. Yes you will be anxious, yes it is uncomfortable, yes it can be cold and wet, but the sense of honour and pride you will feel certainly brings a lump to your throat.