The Queens Funeral procession

[Doc Vernon]

With Thanks to Malcolm
THE MERCHANT NAVY ASSOCIATION


The Queens Funeral procession
Monday 19 September 2022

For your information

The Merchant Navy contingent will parade at the head of the Civilian Services. This is at the express wish of the Palace.
Representing the Merchant Navy Association
Captain Charles Woodward AFNI MN Lead
Captain Martyn James
Captain Matthew Easton MNM CMMar FNI
Zak Coombs
Ashley Ryder

Representing Trinity House
Captain Ian McNaught CVO MNM
Captain Henry Barker MNM

Representing The Honourable Company of Master Mariners
Captain John Freestone MNM
Captain Philip M.P.L. Cave

Also included in this Civilian Services Contingent (CSC) are the following:
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
National Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Police
Fire Service
HM Prison Service
The Ambulance Service
The British Red Cross
The St John Ambulance
The Royal Voluntary Service

The Uniformed Civilian services Coordinator is Alan Cook
The CSC Commander is Chief Constable Gavin Stephens

The total number of personnel representing these various services is 88.

The Merchant Navy is both privileged and proud to be represented thus, we have not been forgotten. We give our thanks to those named above who have given of their time to take part in this prestigious event which included a week of practice & rehearsal.

Good health Shipmates
Fair winds & calm seas
Yours aye
Malcolm

[Doc Vernon]

An update on the Procession Lads

An update to the list of Merchant Navy personnel who will represent the Merchant Navy in the funeral cortege of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Captain Ian McNaught has withdrawn, having accepted an invitation to attend the service in Westminster Abbey, that vacancy being taken up by Captain Chris Locke MNM
Representing the Merchant Navy Association
Captain Charles Woodward AFNI MN Lead
Captain Martyn James
Captain Matthew Easton MNM CMMar FNI
Zak Coombs
Ashley Ryder
Captain Chris Locke MNM
Representing Trinity House
Captain Roger H. Barker MNM FNI
Representing The Honourable Company of Master Mariners
Captain John Freestone MNM
Captain Philip M.P.L. Cave

The Merchant Navy contingent will parade at the head of the Civilian Services. This is at the express wish of the Palace.

We have had some complaints from members that the MN contingent consists mainly of Captains.
In Response
The List of Volunteers was compiled from people who could meet the requirements laid down by the Lord Chamberlain, Buckingham Palace (basically fit, free & uniformed for rehearsals over four nights from 2200hrs – 0600hrs and at very short notice) responding from associations, companies and individuals connected with the MN.

We could not ask the general membership as Operation Tower Bridge was planned with national security restrictions. The List included volunteers from most uniformed positions. Unfortunately, non-uniformed personnel could not be included.

When the call came all those on the list were contacted en-bloc and the list of participants, because of the urgency for an immediate response to Buckingham Palace, was compiled on a first come first served basis. There was NO favouritism involved.


Also included in this CSC are the following:

Royal Fleet Auxiliary. National Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Police, Fire Service.,
HM Prison Service, The Ambulance Service, The British Red Cross,
The St JohnAmbulance, The Royal Voluntary Service

The Uniformed Civilian services Coordinator is Alan Cook
The CSC Commander is Chief Constable Gavin Stephens
The total number of personnel representing these various services is 88.

Yours aye,

Malcolm