A formal parade

Having watched the Queen’s Funeral today, I just wondered if anyone had taken part in a similarly formal military-style parade/event?

I have been fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on your view) to have been involved as a street liner, and although that was exhausting in itself, it didn’t involve any real engagement, of course.

I’ve often wondered about how those taking part feel about such events and some of the things that go on behind the scenes, before, during and after.

1 Like

I haven’t but would love to see photos of anyone who has - in the parade of course :lol:

Also sorry to sound dim, but what is a street liner? :upside_down_face:

Not dim at all, sorry. I should have been more specific. The police have street liners at a big event like today - basically the officers who stand along the route in front of the crowds.

1 Like

I remember my Son being Air Cadet on Parade for Remembrance Day Parade in Town , Does that count ? While watching the Funeral , he did say he was the one that had to call out the Left -Right .to keep in step .

Not a parade but CND marches (not very military)
The term street liner was new to me BUT I did manage to work it out :grinning:

1 Like

Yes, that counts! Hope he enjoyed the experience.

1 Like

I imagine the CND marches were very well attended.

They were and well behaved,no trouble for the police. :grinning:

1 Like

I do have great admiration for all those who take part in events such as yesterday’s state funeral. The precision, ceremonial compliance and sheer endurance during such a long day is very special to witness, let alone be involved in. So well done to all those who played their part.

As I said in the initial post, my involvement was minor as I was a street liner 20 years ago, but it was special to be there and see the events at close quarters. The biggest chore from my perspective was getting there so early and there was a lot of hanging around before we took our places. Then the duty was incredibly long and tiring, even though we were pretty much standing still the entire time, so goodness knows how tiring it must be to spend the time marching and parading whilst daring not to lose concentration for even a split second.

The problem with just standing still in one spot for hours on end is that you start thinking about food (especially when people in the crowds are tucking into chips and burgers … the smell is a killer!), and having a nice cool drink. You also really notice how much your feet are aching, and how badly you need to go to the toilet, too!! All those feelings get intensified when you look at your watch and see you’ve still got two hours to go before being relieved.

The other irritation is when you finally get stood down and all you want to do is sit down, have a cuppa, take your shoes off and have a wee. But so do hundreds of others, all at the same time, and the last thing you want to do is stand in a massive queue!

But that’s as a relative outsider and from a policing perspective. It must be 50 times more intense from a military viewpoint. How long do they have to wait in formation before setting out? All the things I mentioned must undoubtedly be in the minds of the (mostly young) guardsmen. And their stints must last for more hours than any of us can imagine. And yet they carry out their duty with incredible professionalism and stamina.

I’ve often wondered what the scenes are when they finally get back to barracks? Something else to behold, I’d imagine!!

1 Like

Yes while watching yesterdays Parade the Toilet Saga passed through my mind ,also
thought they all must have had a hearty Breakfast to keep them going .

So you must have been talking about The Queen Mothers Funeral , that you was street liner for …?

Can i ask if you had a choice ,did you volunteer or was you going to be on Duty that Day any way at home .

It was actually the Golden Jubilee event, which was in June 2002. The Queen Mother’s funeral was a few months earlier than that, and although I wasn’t involved in that, I was in central London a few days before the funeral when her coffin was moved to the Abbey. That was a big event, but nothing like the Jubilee - I’ve never seen crowds like it and I think everyone, including the authorities, were a bit caught out as to how many people turned up.

From what I recall, we were all just assigned duties rather than being asked to volunteer.

1 Like

The troops may well have been given ‘hearty breakfasts’ (although they can cause their own issues!), but we were just given large cups of coffee and bottles of water!

1 Like

Participated at a visit to Newcastle in 1977 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip who arrived in style on the Yacht Britannia, with a lot of very young and proud soldiers who were still in training.
We practised, then we practised some more, we parade for a parade to practise the parade
I think it was the silver jubilee, but not sure.


I am in there honest
she waved, no inspection.

1 Like

That’s fantastic Vlad. What a great reply. I was hoping someone would be able to respond with that type of experience. It sounds like a superb occasion and it must have been regarding the Silver Jubilee, as that was in 1977. I remember the street parties!

The practising and rehearsals over and and over again must have been a chore, but so worthwhile if it all went to plan on the day, as I’m sure it did.

Is it true what I suggested, about having to line up in readiness ages before the event got underway? And the sense of immense relief when it was all over, I’d assume?

What would you say was your biggest challenge?

  • fear of being the one to get something wrong?
  • making sure you kept hydrated so as not to risk passing out?
  • aching limbs after carrying the armoury and standing so rigidly?
  • rumbling stomachs? (lol)
  • your bladder!! (LOL)
  • losing focus or concentration?

I’d guess when it was all over there would have been a sense of sheer relief and incredible pride.

My policing experience was memorable, of course, and it was good to be involved, but I expect my recollections are far less significant than yours.

@Stosca , thank you for your work as a police officer. People like you do what you do, so that people like us can live our lives feeling a bit safer.

Aawww. That’s a nice comment.

I think the only thing that is at the forefront of anyones mind is committing a major cockup like dropping your rifle, The rifle was a bloody beast a 7.62 mm SLR weighing just short of 10lbs which I hasten to add I was not carrying, I had my drill stick being a SNCO. :grinning:
The lads had been at attention for some 15minutes before the Royal couple had disembarked then into a Royal Salute for about the same until they drove off, as you can see in the pic.
A long time for anyone never mind 16/17 year old lads.
Disappointed by the lack of inspection but apparently the Royals were running late due to tides I believe.

@Vlad I can certainly understand what you say.

I note from the above posts that you are/were a copper?
I have had some very serious booze ups with your lot in various Sgts Mess’s
Especially the SPG lads, that will take you back a good few years…one of them expedited my application for a firearms license. Good times. Fond memories

Yes, I was.

I can certainly imagine some of the sessions. I’d guess they got a bit messy on occasions! Especially with the group you mention!

I never have been a real ‘boozer’ but I knew plenty who were. All that backhanded stuff is a thing of the past now, and probably just as well. We had some good laughs though. As I’m sure was the case with you, things happened that unfortunate people never, ever heard the last of!