Armed Forces Day

On Armed Forces Day, 28th June my Mistress and I attended a Drumhead Service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen to commemorate the service given by London Reservists.  As the troops formed up the heavens opened and it was umbrellas up; mine dripped into the lap of Master Builders’ Merchant seated behind me.  Others were less well prepared; the Master Marketor and his Mistress had to scurry into the Cloisters.  Fortunately the skies cleared as the Royal Party arrived and we were able to appreciate poignancy and solemnity of the occasion.  Afterwards there was a reception for those who attended and participants.  The President of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Sir David Brewer CMG JP, made a short speech and we were able to meet a number of Livery and military friends.  Fortunately the refreshments were plentiful because as the heavens opened again we were ‘trapped’ in the marquee until a break in the weather thus the reception went on longer than anticipated and were in a genial frame of mind for the journey home - by train.