
The Elgin Military Museum joins in celebrating the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee with a special exhibit. An open house and opening kicked it off on Saturday (June 23).
The exhibit is housed in the Royal Heritage Trust Gallery, which showcases monarchs of Canada and their involvement with the Canadian Military as well as their role in Canadian history. The Monarchist League also has a presence at the Museum because of the Royal connection with military service.
Above: Exhibit opening.
Above: Charles McMillan, EMM manager of IT services & Diamond Jubilee event coordinator; Sujin Chang, EMM curator’s assistant. Sujin will be returning to 2nd year at Carlton in Public Affaris & Policy Management.
Above: Don Baxter remembers his participation in Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Parade. He is one of the men in a photo on exhibit - it was taken just before the parade, and Don's description of the experience is also included:
Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Parade
1953
All Regiments and Corps, Royal Air Force, & Navy both in Britain and the Commonwealth were allotted participation in the parade according to the size of their unit. The RAVC being one of the smallest units in the British Forces were allowed only one row of personnel which amounted to eight personnel, and one officer.
The parade route itself was twelve miles long, and took a total of five hours to march. The crowd, estimated at over three million never once ceased its jubilant roar for the entire route.
The photograph on the opposite page shows the eight personnel, and officer selected to represent the RAVC in preparation on the square ground at Melton Mowbray, prior to going to London to participate in the Coronation Parade.
A few days prior to Coronation Day, we were transported to London to Olympia Building which was just full of two tier bunks. With no privileges for rank, were were all allocated a bunk, side by side with the RSM, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant, Corporal, Lance Corporal and Privates.
L/Corporal Baxter D.L.
1953
All Regiments and Corps, Royal Air Force, & Navy both in Britain and the Commonwealth were allotted participation in the parade according to the size of their unit. The RAVC being one of the smallest units in the British Forces were allowed only one row of personnel which amounted to eight personnel, and one officer.
The parade route itself was twelve miles long, and took a total of five hours to march. The crowd, estimated at over three million never once ceased its jubilant roar for the entire route.
The photograph on the opposite page shows the eight personnel, and officer selected to represent the RAVC in preparation on the square ground at Melton Mowbray, prior to going to London to participate in the Coronation Parade.
A few days prior to Coronation Day, we were transported to London to Olympia Building which was just full of two tier bunks. With no privileges for rank, were were all allocated a bunk, side by side with the RSM, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant, Corporal, Lance Corporal and Privates.
L/Corporal Baxter D.L.
Visit the Elgin Military Museum website at http://www.elginmilitarymuseum.ca/.