UK: Addlestone Royal Naval Reservist Plays Key Role in Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Sub Lieutenant Dangerfield, 34, a Consulting Engineer with Arup in civilian life, spent two weeks training for the day with colleagues from HMS President, London’s Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit, along with ratings from other RNR units around the country.

Together they formed the Royal Guard of Honour that greeted HM The Queen when she left the Spirit of Chartwell, from which she had watched the Pageant.

The Queen was escorted on board HMS President by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE RN, and the Commanding Officer of HMS President, Commander Eugene Morgan RD RNR.

“It was a great honour for HMS President to host Her Majesty on what was such a special day,” Commander Morgan said.

“I am most proud of all the Maritime Reserve personnel who worked so hard to make the day such a success.”

The guard paraded the Queen’s Colour of the Royal Naval Reserve in the Queen’s presence for the first time since it was presented to the RNR in 2003, the year following her Golden Jubilee.

Charlotte was part of that first Royal Honour Guard also, when the Colour was paraded on Horse Guards before HRH The Prince of Wales. A junior rating in 2003, Charlotte had the key role this time of acting as second guard officer.

“It was such an honour to be one of the officers of the Royal Guard of Honour to welcome HM the Queen to our Royal Naval Reserve unit,” Charlotte said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the training with the state ceremonial parade staff. There was an air of excitement through the whole build up to the event, and I know I will remember the day for the rest of my life.”

Charlotte joined the RNR in 2001. She was mobilised to the Arabian Gulf from January to September 2008 as a force protection rating, acting as an upper deck sentry on Royal Navy warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.

She has since gained her commission as an officer, and was recently awarded the prize of Junior Officer of the Year within HMS President.

As well as the Diamond Jubilee Medal, Charlotte holds the Iraq Medal for her services in the Arabian Gulf.
Charlotte studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

She lives in Addlestone, Surrey, with her partner, Warrant Officer Paul Hurlow, who is also a Royal Naval Reservist. Paul is based at HMS King Alfred in Portsmouth.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, June 13, 2012; Image: Royal Navy