Tiddly on Queen’s pilfered bubbly!

CaLLED up for National service in september 1951, i went to catterick where, after basic and trade training, i qualified as a Royal signals radio mechanic. i was posted to serve with the signals troop attached to the Royal horse Guards in the household cavalry barracks in Windsor.

the troop had the job of maintaining the batteries and wireless sets in the Daimler armoured cars and scout cars and supplying back-up with wireless operators when the regiment went on exercises. however, it performed other signals-related duties such as firing up lights and manning the regimental switchboard. thus it was that the troop was involved when the Queen attended a dance one Friday evening in the officers’ mess in the summer of 1952, about a year before the coronation. i shared the job of standing outside the mess in phone contact with the guard room, ready to summon the guests’ cars when they were required. as a reward for these duties, those involved were exempted from duties the following saturday morning. a small group of us decided on a trip to London. as the train pulled out of the station at Windsor & Eton Riverside, one of the group produced a bottle of champagne he had ‘borrowed’ from the guests’ refreshment tent on the lawn outside the mess. When the bottle was uncorked, we each took a swig. it did cross my mind at the time that ‘borrowing’ the champers might be thought of as contrary to good order and military discipline. too late for jankers (punishment) now!

Dr Bryan Hart, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.