“IT will be the proudest moment of our lives.”
Those are the words of Hampshire war veteran 86- year-old Allan Beer who will represent Britain’s military history when he takes part the 1,000-strong flotilla for the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant tomorrow.
Mr Beer, from Southampton, who served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, was awarded medals for his bravery in the brutal Arctic Convoys on board HMS Belfast and DDay.
For Mr Beer it will be a proud moment when he salutes the Queen as she sails past the ship he sailed on more than 60 years ago which is now moored near Tower Bridge.
He told the Daily Echo: “I missed VE Day and VJ celebrations due to onboard duties so I am humbled to be involved.
“We are a dying breed, us vets, and this is a once in a lifetime occasion. I am honoured to have this experience.”
Hampshire’s most inspirational sailors and the county’s best boats will be at the pageant’s heart.
Record-breaking disabled sailor Geoff Holt will sail the Thames in his powerboat Wetwheels alongside children from Naomi House hospice and the Rose Road Association.
Geoff, who was paralysed from the chest down after a swimming accident yet became the first quadriplegic to sail solo around the UK, said: “I am very excited and very proud and honoured to be representing Hampshire.
The event will be spectacular and for the boat to be seen on a global scale giving disabled people opportunities is amazing.”
Meanwhile Julian Whitewright, senior coxswain of Arctic Challenge England’s historic Beaulieubased Bantry Bay gig Intégrité which will be among the first wave of ships leading Her Majesty said: “It is a privilege. One thousand boats on the Thames will be an incredible sight.”
S o u t h a m p t o n - b a s e d Tenacious, a tall ship which gives disabled and able-bodied people the chance to sail side by side, will also be in the Avenue of Sail.
Captain Simon Catterson, of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, said: “The atmosphere here is one of anticipation and there are already loads of boats gathered around us. It feels like Sunday is going to be amazing.”
Other Hampshire people taking part in the day are Romsey’s Sea Cadets, Netley Sea Scouts in their rowing boat Sir Harry and Calshot RNLI lifeboat crew member Mark Weatherhead.
Our sailors who are based at Fareham’s HMS Collingwood will greet the royal party on to the ship HMS President to watch the majestic scenes, not seen for more than 350 years, unfold.
Up to a million people are set to line the banks to watch the flotilla in scenes which have not been seen for more than 350 years.
The Queen will join Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry on the Royal Barge for the River Pageant.
Lavishly decorated with replica carvings and sporting a majestic red, gold and purple colour scheme, the vessel will be the centre of the flotilla featuring every size of vessel from past and present including Dunkirk little ships, steam boats, rowing boats and skiffs.
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