When Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning English monarch on September 9, many memories came to mind.
At that time I was serving on the HMCS Swansea, which was designated as one of the Canadian warships that was to participate in the “Spithead review” by the Queen after her coronation. The review was to be held in the greater basin of Portsmouth Harbour in England.
We had proceeded from Halifax via Iceland, where, as we approached Iceland, we witnessed a volcanic island being born off the south coast. We were then directed to Depford on the Thames next to London where we remained for the coronation as many of the lower deck had been outfitted and drilled as backup to the Canadian Colour Guard.
When the coronation was over we proceeded to Portsmouth where I did double duty as signalman liaison to the Australian carrier Sydney and as a clearance diver for our own ship.
I was on deck waving my cap and cheering when her Majesty went by in the review.
We then returned to Halifax. I can’t recall the time lapse but shortly after our return all members of the colour guard were called to the Stadacona in Halifax where we were informed that the Queen would be stopping in Halifax and we would be reviewed.
Then one of the most memorable days of my life occurred.
As I stood at “present arms” with the chrome bayonets flashing (in the middle file) the Queen, with Prince Philip following closely, suddenly stopped directly in front of me and turned towards me.
I immediately thought that she was going to speak to me. It was not to be. She turned her head to look over her shoulder.
Prince Philip spoke sharply: “Carry on.”
“But he may be hurt,” she replied, referring to a guardsman who had collapsed. Our orders were that if you became dizzy or collapsed, you stay down and stay still.
Prince Philip then uttered the words seared into my memory: “Don’t be a sausage. Carry on.”
The Queen gave him the “look” and carried on.
There is much more to that year and especially in 1954 and 1955, and there is much I can no longer recall, but that moment I will never forget. Among the many things that stuck with me was the Queen’s love for Philip and her compassion for her subjects.
God save the Queen. May she reign for many more years.
Ross G. St. John
Kamsack
