Post by ngatimozart on Jun 2, 2013 12:15:00 GMT 12
Among the military belongings and papers of the late Captain James Gatland Gilberd of Napier there is a six-page manuscript simply titled HM Queen's Coronation 1953.
Until fortnight ago, his daughter, Glenys, had never read it, although she knew about her father's involvement with that colourful and celebratory day.
"We knew he'd got a commemorative coronation medal from the Queen but didn't know a lot about it."
After James Gilberd died in September 2001 and was given a full military funeral in Napier, his belongings were stored away.
She said to her sister only recently it was time they sorted everything out - and the timing could not have been better as the anniversary of the coronation was approaching.
"He never really talked about it and reading what he wrote of the occasion after all this time was quite special."
The manuscript was uncovered in his vast collection of old newspapers and magazines from the 50s.
Captain James Gilberd was the right man for the job of making sure the horsemen would do Queen and Empire proud on that day.
Full story
Until fortnight ago, his daughter, Glenys, had never read it, although she knew about her father's involvement with that colourful and celebratory day.
"We knew he'd got a commemorative coronation medal from the Queen but didn't know a lot about it."
After James Gilberd died in September 2001 and was given a full military funeral in Napier, his belongings were stored away.
She said to her sister only recently it was time they sorted everything out - and the timing could not have been better as the anniversary of the coronation was approaching.
"He never really talked about it and reading what he wrote of the occasion after all this time was quite special."
The manuscript was uncovered in his vast collection of old newspapers and magazines from the 50s.
Captain James Gilberd was the right man for the job of making sure the horsemen would do Queen and Empire proud on that day.
Full story
