The parade to mark the celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s 93rd Birthday 2019 in the 67th year (Sapphire Jubilee + 2) of her reign took place at the Salem Park on (Whit) Monday, June 10, beginning promptly at 8.00 a.m.
The parade brought together most, if not all of the uniformed bodies on Montserrat with visiting units from Antigua and St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, that came out and put on a good showing, although officials and commentators thought that the crowd did not match.
The usual Guard of Honour was drawn from the ranks of: Two Units from the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF); One Unit from the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS); One Unit from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF); One Unit from the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF); One Unit from the Royal Montserrat Police Service, and the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) Sea Cadets; and One Unit from the MSS Cadet Corps (MSSCC).
The parade’s armed guard was joined by the following organisations: Montserrat Fire and Rescue Service; Her Majesty’s Prison Service; Boys and Girls Brigade; Girls Guides; Brownies; Red Cross Fist Aiders; and Seventh Day Adventist Path Finders.
The parade fell-in with the lead flags of the Royal Standard, the Union Jack and the Montserrat Flag, with featured flags, the RMDF Unit Flag, the RMPS Unit Flag and the MSSCC Unit Flag.
The Antigua and Barbuda Police Band and the RMDF National Marching Band provided the musical accompaniment for the parade, under the command of Capt. Peter W A White, OBE ED. Assisting the Commander – the Platoon Commanders – Capt. Colin H T Fergus, ED, Lt. Glenroy W Foster, RMDF, 2nd Lt. Darion Darroux, RMDF, Inspector Keniel Murrain, RMPS, Lt. Robert Labadie, ABDF, Lt. Gerald Connor, SKNDF, Inspector Courtney Rodney, RMPS, Cadet CSM Darius Lewis, MSSCC.
On invitation Her Excellency Ag. Governor Lyndell Simpson followed by Hon. Premier Romeo inspected the Parade, at the end returning to the Dais to await the Featuring of the Unit flags for the Montserrat Armed Guard on Parade, followed by the March Pass of the troops in slow and quick time, while the band played the appropriate music.
After marching through the ranks; the bearer of the Ensigns (Flags) accompanied by the guards and the RABPF Band did March Pass H.E. the Acting Governor. First the armed guard in slow time and then quick time as the other uniformed bodies.
The Royal Salute followed by the Feu – De – Joie (Fire of Joy), the drill of loading and firing the rifles there was the playing of the national anthem, followed then by Three Cheers to Her Majesty the Queen on order of the Parade Commander White.
The parade is brought back to order and Her Excellency, the Acting Governor then presented medals and awards as per the list here attached.
After the playing of few bars of the national Anthem the Ag. Governor leaves the parade, followed by the playing of the territorial song when the Premier then also departed.
The parade then left the parade ground marching through Salem Village centre to the Salem Police Station where the Parade Commander handed over the parade back to the Parade Sergeant Major, who issue final instructions and dismiss the parade.
Participants of the parade then partook of refreshments awaiting the return of the Ag. Governor to give the Loyal Toast.
List of Awardees
In accordance with Part 2 of the Efficiency Decoration and Efficiency Medal Regulations, the following soldiers will be awarded as follows:
Royal Montserrat Defence Force –
Efficiency Medal
1st Clasp – 18 Years of Service
Acting Warrant Officer Class One Barry A.C. Williams
Sergeant Deverson Semper
Corporal Oswald West
Lance Corporal Carlton Smith
Award of Medal – 12 Years of Service
Corporal Carmencita Duberry
Private Alison Richards
In accordance with Section 2 of the Colonial Police Long Service Medal Regulations of the Police Act Cap 10.01 the following Officers will be awarded as follows:.
Royal Montserrat Police and Fire Service
Second Clasp – 30 Years of Service.
Superintendent of Prison Bennet Kirwan
Inspector Ottley Laborde
First Clasp – 25 Years of Service
Inspector Derona Chelsea Semper
Colonial Long Service Medal – 18 Years of Service
Fire Fighter James Adams
