Open Writing

The party from the northeast met at Newcastle Railway station the morning before the Coronation and we travelled to London in reserved seats. The train was crowded with representatives of many organisations, all going to the same place. The array of different uniforms and dress provided a near carnival atmosphere on the train.

After the seven-hour journey, we eventually arrived at King's Cross Station. The party was met by a representative from a church in St John's Wood, where it had been arranged we would spend the night. The church had been fitted out with a dozen military type beds. We were also thankful for a cooked evening meal.

There was not much sleep that night. We were all excited about the following day, when we had to be up at 5 a.m., and in our places outside Buckingham Palace two hours later.

While getting ready, I caused some more unplanned excitement. I had brought a new white shirt with a separate collar, but with not being used to wearing this type of shirt, I forgot the two essential collar studs. Without these, the new shirt and collar were useless. I had visions of coming all this way and missing the main event.

My inefficiency stimulated much teasing by my colleagues. Somebody said, "Get an early train back." and another commented, "Wear a scarf!" and a third offered a safety pin. Fortunately one of my tormentors had brought some spare collar studs although he didn't tell me until the last minute. Was I the only person who attended the 1953 Coronation in a suit on loan and some borrowed collar studs?

The Boys Brigade contingent was allocated an area on the pavement facing the Victoria Monument outside Buckingham Palace. It was very crowded, but we had a first class position for seeing everything arrive and/or leave the Palace. The downside was that we were standing all the time and not a great deal happened before 10 a.m. We then saw the many distinguished and colourful processions leave for Westminster Abbey - then another long wait. We soon consumed the food and drink we had brought with us and decided to explore the adjacent area of Green Park and the Mall.

Unfortunately it started to rain. We had plastic raincoats but sought a more permanent if illegal shelter under the stands that had been erected to accommodate the visiting crowds. These stands had been assembled using open planking, which meant that anyone looking up from below had a worm's eye view of the flared dresses and skirts which many ladies were wearing. Somebody shouted, "Don't look up or we will be arrested!" while another said he could already see the headline in the News of the World: "B B lads find something better than the Coronation procession to watch!" We beat a hasty retreat even if we did get wet!

We eventually saw the Queen and the long Procession return to Buckingham Palace in the pouring rain. The adverse weather didn't seem to make any difference and everywhere there was colour, gaiety and cheering. A massive cheer went up as the Queen's Coach went past and the procession of distinguished guests seemed endless.

All the open-top coaches were closed except one. This carried the Queen of Tonga, who seemed unaware of the rain. She got an extra loud cheer for braving the elements.

At last the magnificent procession did end and as the cheering crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace, we reluctantly made our departure. Under the instructions of a guide, we fought our way to King's Cross Station and caught a late afternoon train back to Newcastle. Our seats were again fortunately reserved, because the train was full of standing passengers wearing every uniform imaginable. Brian and John Taylor and I changed trains at Newcastle and arrived back in Shields about midnight, after a very long, wet and fatiguing but wonderful two days.

To celebrate the big event, a special Coronation Social was held at St Andrew's Church the following night. Being a Presbyterian Church, much of the dancing during the evening was of a Scottish nature. The Gay Gordons, Military Two-Step and the Dashing White Sergeant were very popular. Not being brave enough to attempt these, I waited for the more sedate Bradford Barn Dance. Two forward, two back and two to the side was just about my limit.

It was during this dance that I met a young girl from the Cleadon area of the town. She was called Joan and was with another girl whose family attended St Andrews. I remember walking them to the bus stop in Harton Lane, and building up courage to ask Joan for a date. She accepted and I went home very excited.

Joan had a Saturday job at Woolworths, so I met her after work and we went to the nearby Odeon. While waiting in the queue I got my first telling off. Unknown to me, she was wearing a new pill-box type hat and I had not noticed it.

On our second adventure out together I was about ten minutes late arriving at her house and she was gone! Fortunately, I caught up with her in the queue at the Regent Cinema.

Joan and her friend also used to come to the evening service at St Andrew's on a Sunday. They then used to mysteriously disappear into the night without saying a word. In spite of these rebuffs, we went out together for a few weeks and I recall meeting her parents and older sister. It was my first relationship and from my side, could have gone on a long time.

Then much to my disappointment, I got a "Dear John" letter. This said she already had a long-term boyfriend - whom she had never mentioned - in the Merchant Navy and he soon would be coming home.

Looking back, I remember Joan as an extremely attractive young girl with a disarming smile and the confidence of a Five-star General. At fifteen years of age, she assured me she was going to marry a Ship's Officer and have lots of money. I know she did the first, and the last I heard they were working on the second in London!