“My abiding memory of Prince William was that he was always late for circuit training, so I always had to give him extra press ups! Looking back on it now it’s amazing to think that I took the future King for circuit training.” Aaaaaaah!
Duke of Cambridge.... “a genuine bloke.”
The Royal Wedding has come and gone, but what do you know about those who added colour and grandeur to it? Armed Forces Personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force path lined the route out of Westminster Abbey as HRH the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cambridge emerged as husband and wife.
Vigilance learnt authoritatively that the 24 personnel were chosen either because they have a personal connection to the Duke, or because of their outstanding contributions to their Service. They lined the path outside of the Great West Door as the couple emerged, 12 on each side.
They were:
ROYAL NAVY:
- Lieutenant Steve Clarke, HMS Vanguard.
- Lieutenant John Crow, Royal Marines - 40 Commando RM.
- Lieutenant Jason Hannigan, HMS Daring.
- Chief Petty Officer Sharon Cummins, HMS Wildfire.
- Sergeant 'Bernie' Manning, Royal Marines - 40 Commando RM.
- Leading Physical Trainer Gavin Rees, RoyalNavyLeadershipAcademy.
- Able Seaman Dennis Brown, HMS Wildfire.
- Able Seaman Eldon Hughes, HMS Astute.
Leading Physical Trainer Gavin Rees who is currently working on the Fit For Life Team in Royal Navy recruiting was Prince William’s Physical Training Instructor on HMS Iron Duke in 2008. He revealed: “My abiding memory of Prince William was that he was always late for circuit training, so I always had to give him extra press ups! Looking back on it now it’s amazing to think that I took the future King for circuit training.”
Rees added: “I’m really pleased I’ve been given this once in a lifetime opportunity to be among the privileged few to line the path in to Westminster Abbey. It’s a great honour and a memory to look back on and tell the grandchildren.”
He also said Prince William was a really genuine bloke, who got on with everyone and was great fun.
ARMY:
- Lieutenant Colonel Brian O’Gorman, Irish Guards.
- Captain Max Dooher, Irish Guards.
- Warrant Officer 2 Leigh Anderson, Blues and Royals, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Warrant Officer 2 Shaun Fry MC, Life Guards, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Warrant Officer 2 Byron Gibson, Life Guards, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Staff Corporal Stephen McWhirter, Blues and Royals, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
- Warrant Officer 2 Parke, Irish Guards.
- Guardsman Williams, Irish Guards.
While Captain Max Dooher, Irish Guards enthused: “It is an honour to represent the Regiment at the wedding of our Colonel, Prince William. As Colonel, he has both sympathised and celebrated with the 1st Battalion during our recent deployment to Afghanistan, so it is appropriate that fellow Micks are there to celebrate and mark this special day.”
Dooher said: “Lining the path for a newly married couple is an honour at any military wedding, and on this occasion the significance is even greater. Every Irish Guardsmen wishes to celebrate the wedding of Colonel William and his new wife; being chosen to be one of the few to show this support from the Regiment is a great personal honour."
ROYAL AIR FORCE:
- Wing Commander Kevin Marsh, RAFValley.
- Flight Lieutenant Tom Benson, RAF Leeming.
- Warrant Officer Peter Hainsworth, RAF Coningsby.
- Sergeant Kristian Harrison, Headley Court.
- Sergeant John McClymont, RAF Brampton.
- Corporal Karen Edwards, RAF Lossiemouth.
- Lance Corporal Darren Luke, RAF Northolt.
- Senior Aircraftsman Johnathon Freeman, RAF St Athan.
Wing Commander Kev Marsh mentored Prince William during his time spent with the Royal Air Force in 2008, when he learnt to fly and gained his RAF Wings, said:
“It is an amazing honour and a privilege to be chosen for such a distinguished, once in a life time duty. My wife and I are very excited to be attending the wedding service, and our children and their grandparents will be looking out for us on TV.”
More than 1,300 personnel from across the Armed Forces played key roles in the ceremonial elements of the Royal Wedding. These included Guard duties, lining the processional route, musical support through ceremonial bands, and a spectacular seven-aircraft flypast from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and two Tornado and two Typhoon fast jets.
Representing all of the Armed Forces inside the Abbey were: Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Peter Wall and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
Other members of the Armed Forces attended the wedding service in a private capacity.