Paul Coleman (1991) Paul is a serving Police Officer with Thames Valley Police and has been for over 26 years. He has several experiences of working with the Royal Family over recent years, including supporting security operations at large scale royal events – weddings and overseeing private royal visits across his force area. Paul’s most significant contribution came following the death of Her Majesty the Queen in September 2022. He was the lead Tactical Firearms Commander (TFC) for the policing operation for the elements of the funeral held in Windsor. He had command of over 200 specialist firearms officers, brought together from across England, Scotland and Wales. Paul’s team provided a comprehensive security operation to complement the wider policing operation in Windsor to ensure the funeral was a safe, secure and dignified event. He had been involved in the planning of this operation for many years, so was proud when he was asked to deliver what was the largest firearms operation Thames Valley Police had ever delivered. Paul is currently an Inspector for the Thames Valley Police Protection Group so continues to oversee the protective security operations for nominated Protected Principals as they live in and visit the Thames Valley Police area. Thomas Herford (2001) and Hugh Cutting (2015) Thomas and Hugh sang at a pre-service concert with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir. They had a special rehearsal in the presence of His Majesty. In the service itself, Thomas sang alongside the Abbey Choir, as one of the eight singers representing the Monteverdi Choir, of which Charles has always been the patron. “We rehearsed for the service for two weeks, and it was an amazing experience watching everything come together in the building.” Max Martin (2019) Coronation Procession 6 May is a day that will stay with me for the rest of my years. The call for volunteers went out before the end of term, with training starting only a few weeks later. The majority of the training was conducted at Sandhurst, one of the few military bases which had the space to facilitate over 2000 British and Commonwealth soldiers and officers. The roads and parade squares around were transformed temporarily into Wellington Barracks. The first true test of preparation was at RAF Odiham; all bar the mounted elements of the procession were rehearsed. It was a long, 12-hour-day, rehearsing the exact route we would take. Although by the end of the day the route was growing tedious, the sheer size of the procession and the spectacle of four-thousand troops marching in step spurred a renewed wave of excitement within me. On the day of the Coronation itself, the atmosphere at 7.00 am was palpable. Streams of people made their way to Westminster. We waited at Wellington Barracks until our detachment was called forward for inspection, before starting our processional route at The Mall. The following hour and a half were rather soggy, but the adrenaline and the atmosphere of the day made standing still for such a long time bearable. At 13.00 pm, the National Anthem sounded from Westminster Abbey signalling the imminent departure of the procession. It was certainly a welcome sound. The roar of the crowd and the mass bands erupted, and I felt a tingle down my spine as my right foot followed my left, my body brimming with pride. The march down The Mall was certainly special but nothing, no amount of practice, could have prepared me for the events in the garden of Buckingham Palace. Once the King was in position on the terrace, the officers gave a Royal Salute; I have never stood so tall in my life. Rewatching the events of 6 May the following day, I was reminded how proud I am to be British. God save the King! Members’ News OAs involved in the Coronation of King Charles III GRIFFEN 2024 | 31
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNTM1