Cenotaph Ceremony 2012

Ex-Service Contingents' Co-ordinating Instructions

Form Up On The Ex-Service Columns will form up on Horse Guards Parade to the left and right of the central roadway. Each of the Columns will be marked with their respective letters.

The March Past this year will be led by Column E who will form up on the right of the central roadway, nearest the central arch, facing Horse Guards building with Columns A & C to their right. These three Columns will form up with the front of the Columns facing Horse Guards Building.

Column F will form up on the left of the central roadway, nearest the central arch, facing Horse Guards building with Columns B & D to their left. These three Columns will form up in reverse order with the rear of each Column nearest to Horse Guards Building.

Contingents which normally form up on the central roadway will do so again this year.

Please see the plan at Annex A.

Each Contingent will be identified, whilst forming up in their respective Columns, by a large marker board. Your Contingent Co-ordinator should collect the marker from the vehicle opposite the Guards Memorial and display this so that colleagues can easily find their correct place in the Column.

All individuals and Contingents are reminded that they must not carry banners; standards; flags or other artificial labels. Each Contingent is provided with a contingent number and 2 armbands by the Royal British Legion so that the BBC commentator can identify them for the viewers. There is no need for additional distinguishing marks.

Due to the length of the Columns it will be necessary to create a secondary part to each Column which will form up alongside of the origina,1Column as directed by Parade Marshals.

Form Up in Whitehall At 1010 the Horse Guards Marshal (appointed by Headquarters ) will give the Order for the Parade to "March Off'. Contingents will proceed through the Horse Guards Arch and form up in Whitehall as described below. The command "Eyes Left" is not required when the Columns process through Horse Guards Arch to Whitehall because the Queen's Life Guard is not on parade

Column E, preceded by the Trustees of The Royal British Legion, will, on entering Whitehall, turn right and march down the West side of Whitehall followed by BLESMA; BEWSA; In­ Pensioners of the Royal Hospital Chelsea; Queen Alexandra's Hospital Home and Combat Stress. An Assistant Marshal from the Household Division who will be marching with Column E will ensure that the Column halts at its correct line upon approaching . Each subsequent Column (accompanied by a Legion Parade Marshal and an officer from HM Revenue & Customs wearing a tabard marked with the alphabetic letter of the Column) will form up as follows:

Column F will, on entering Whitehall, turn left and march up the West side of Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. On reaching a designated point in Whitehall the Column will be halted and will immediately "about turn" to face South.

Column A wHI, on entering Whitehall, turn right and march down the West side of Whitehall to halt alongside Column E.

Column B wi,ll, on entering Whitehall, turn left and march up the West side of Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square to halt and "about turn" alongside Column F.

Column C, preceded by St Dunstan's, will, on entering Whitehall, cross to the East side of Whitehall before turning right and marching down Whitehall to halt alongside Column A.

Column D will, on entering Whitehall, cross to the East side of Whitehall before turning left and marching up Whitehall to halt and "about tum" alongside Column B.

The Transport Contingent (who will have marched from Petty France) will enter Whitehall from Horse Guards and will cross to the East side of Whitehall before turning right and marching down Whitehall to halt alongside Column C. They will be followed by the Bevin Boys and the remainder of Column M.

Immediately the Bevin Boys contingent steps off Columns F, B & D must move forward to fill any space to the rear of Columns E, A & C.

Please see the plan at Annex B.

IMPORTANT NOTE

BBe Television wil'l be broadcasting part of their transmission from an area in the vicinity of the Women at . All Contingents are requested to respect the memory of those comrades being remembered by disregarding television cameras in this area so as not to detract from the dignity of the Ceremony.

The Dispersal from Whitehall On the command "Royal British Legion, By the Left, Quick March" Columns will step off at 100 paces to the minute. Columns will Disperse to Horse Guards Road via Parliament Street, Parliament Square (North Side) & Great George Street. Contingents and individuals wishing to have wreaths laid at the Cenotaph must ensure that they are on the left of their Column so that they can hand their wreath to a 'wreath taker' who will lay the wreath on their behalf. At all times during the March Past there must be no more than 6 paces between contingents. Marshals in charge of contingents must march within the 6 paces.

It has been noticeable over recent years that some Contingents "hang back" and ignore the 6 pace rule thus prolonging the length of the parade for everyone including the member of the Royal Family taking the salute at Horse Guards. Co'lumn Commanders and Parade Marshals have been instructed to ensure that the 6 pace rule is strictly adhered to. All participants are reminded that the taking of photographs in Whitehall or during the March Past is not permitted.

All participants must pay the proper respects and compliments to the Cenotaph as they march past. Those in military headgear or uniform should salute; those in civilian headgear should remove their headgear and give a smart "Eyes Left" and those with no headgear should give a smart "eyes left".

The March Past at Horse Guards Columns will March Past the saluting dais situated opposite the GuardS'Memorial where the salute will be taken by a member of the Royal Family accompanied by the National President of The Royal British Legion. On approaching the dais Column Commanders should give the order "Eyes Right".

Columns will continue along Horse Guards Road and wheel right at the Citadel onto Horse Guards Parade. They will march alongside Admiralty Building until directed to wheel right again to cross the Parade Ground where they will be halted in front of the Designated Car Park. Column Commanders are to turn their Column right to face the Guards Memorial.

Contingents are requested to leave a break opposite Horse Guards Arch in case access is required for emergency vehicles.

Contingents whose coaches are parked on The Mall will not wheel right at the Citadel but will continue to march along Horse Guards Road and return to their coaches where they can dismiss under their own arrangements.

Please see the plan at Annex C.

Dispersal from Horse Guards Contingents are to remain in position on Horse Guards Parade until after the National Anthem has been played and the Salute Taker has left Horse Guards before being dismissed. In the past some veterans have been disrespectful to the memory of those who have fallen and to the member of the Royal Family taking the salute, by attempting to leave the parade early. This practice is to be discouraged. The Archway from Horse Guards Parade into Whitehall will only be open for emergency vehicles until the entire parade has left the Whitehall area. Dispersal from Horse Guards Parade will be at approximately 1240.

Timings Timings for the day are as follows: 1000 Contingents are to be assembled ready to march into Whitehall. 1010 Contingents step off from Horse Guards as directed by Parade Marshals. 1050 All Contingents to be formed up in Whitehall. No movement after this time 1059 Her Majesty The Queen arrives at The Cenotaph. 1100 2 minutes silence.

Enclosures: Annex A Form Up Positions - Horse Guards Parade Annex B Form Up in Whitehall Annex C Dispersal Positions - Horse Guards Parade BBC Letter Free Taxi Service Notice ANNEXA

FORM UP POSITIONS - HORSE GUARDS PARADE ~ +­ -'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'I ~.-.~.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. I

FRONT YARD

ARCH Stjohn Wolseley Roberts Ambulance & Statue Statue Veteran Seats Porta Loos • PDD~ Board of .,' 0 B- F­ Trustees (t ) E ~ A C -- FRONT FRONT OF OF COLUMN COLUMN

IR Hosp Chelsea ~ 1St ~ ~Orded ! Of i Q Alex Hosp ~.~.~~~l Home I FCD : King's Tp . Designated : RHA I Combat Stress I Car I I r ­ ----- Parking (2)

Blind Veterans I I UK (3)

N • I HORSE GUARDS ROAD

GUARDS I IMEMORIAL NOTES: (1} To march at head of Column E. (2) March off behind Column E followed by Royal Hospital Chelsea, Queen Alexandra's Hospital Home and Combat Stress (3) March at head of Column C (5 th Column). (4) Follow Column D. (5) RBL Access Point for Ticket Inspection. .... ANNEX B

FORM UP POSITIONS AT THE CENOTAPH w r""""~~----, ~ 'i=-==~------' w W U u..J W > en N .. u « a::~ :::l w 0 GREAT OLD r­ I DERBY 9~ 2 MOD MAIN Cl Cl SCOTLAN WAR Z GATE ~ ~ BUILDING 0 DOH & DWP I (9 ...~ :::i!: :::i!: I YARD ~. OFFICE ~ I BUILDING ~RM Ba-nd: - a:: U u I 0 0:: I Position I ;: I, 0:: I 2 1 ~-~~ ~------~ I..----~ +-TO TRAFALGAR SQUARE

r-----~ COLUMN M1 COLUMN M2 II RM Band: 1-_____------.,. : Position I I 1 I :...... , C ~--,.,..----II.. I ~"'6 " 'l 0 i 5 1 Blind Veterans ---- .: @olRI en --RM--~ :...... : . . UK3 0 ~ 0:: GREN GDS :...... : 0-0 rJl - (J) w I 0:: I­ Band Q) w en O .... ~ j ...J SG w Position 3: (women of 0 OJ .r: Cl (DOM] a.. -----­r7vl WWI~ ~ "* r~ ::> ~ 0: ro co 0:: n: t:::J o - 2 ...J I­ WG ~ ~ :::!O RAF 0i:5f- m ~ 0:: LL <1: Band L.~.·.] B [§] A I a:: 0:: ~ g;; COLDM GDS

" ••••• • 60 ...... 2 F l...~..?~~.~~..~L~~:.~~..J E - 'I MER NAVY I RN RM RAF I PMRAFNS; II Footpath iK ~b) RFAlQARNNS I RAAFIMAS I ~"b l Balus trad e ... FRONT Footpath Footpath 1 , Footpath YARD 1-_1 EXIT • r- ,==1 I w FOREIGN OFFICE I 1 BUILDING w tJ) a:: W r- ...J i-iORSE G WARDS en NOTES: 0::1­ (9 «W Z 1 Column M. Bevin Boys leading, forms up here. ::I: W Z uO:: ;: 2 Column M closes up by 1050 hrs following London Transport Det onto parade 0 3 WO/SNCO Asst Marshals (#) positioned on right at front & rear C)~ Cl z i: ANNEX C

DISPERSAL POSITIONS - HORSE GUARDS PARADE

FRONT YARD

Wolseley ARCH Roberts St John Statue Statue Ambulance & Porta Loos I Veteran Seats I DOD

COLUMNS E F

A FCO Designated B Car Park Enclosure C 0 COLUMN M (4) M

Board of Trustees (1) I I o SALUTING DAIS ~ HORSE GUARDS ROAD

Band 4 1 GUARDS MEMORIAL

NOTES: (1) Board of Trustees wheels right on passing saluting dais. Takes up position shown. (2) Columns wheel right at the Citadel to positions shown, leaving a gap on Central Carriageway. (3) BLESMA, BEWSA, R Hospital Chelsea, Queen Alexandra's Hospital Home, Combat Stress and Blind Veterans UK proceed direct to their transport at Duke of York's Steps. (4) Column M will halt immediately the last file has completed the right wheel at the Ciltadel. Cenotaph Ceremony 2012

Free Taxi Service for Veterans Participating in the Cenotaph Ceremony

London's taxis are once again providing a FREE TAXI SERVICE for all those going to and from the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Whitehall.

Each and every driver who participated in the preceding years' events states that it is a very emotional time, especially when stood on Westminster Bridge as Big Ben strikes the eleventh hour, signifying the start of the two minute silence. This year is sure to be even more emotional due to the fact that Remembrance Sunday actually falls on the 11 th of November

Taxi drivers are already keeping this date clear in their diaries and are waiting to show their gratitude for the selfless call to duty shown by so many of our veterans, young and old . This is our way of making a small payment for the sacrifices made by so many on our behalf.

Organised by the United Cabbies Groups, last year we were able to provide an enhanced service with more pick up points than the previous year. I am pleased to say that the United Cabbies Group are once again giving their whole hearted backing to providing this service, and I have been asked to help co-ordinate the taxi service. This year we hope to provide an even better service now that many of the road works around some mainline station have been completed.

The following points have already been identified as hub pick ups • Union Jack Club • Victory Services Club • Kings Cross (main line) • Liverpool Street • Paddington (main line) • Victoria (mail line) • Victoria Coach Station • Waterloo (main line)

With wheelchair accessibility and the ability to take up to 5 persons at a time, the service should cater for all needs. Once identified we will endeavour to provide taxis free of charge to satisfy those needs

To help us prepare resources at locations can you ask your members: a) which pick up point(s) they would be likely to use b) if they have any other points where they would like us to provide the service

A limited service will be provided to take some veterans, particularly those in wheelchairs or with ambulatory problems, directly to and from their homes (if within the greater London area).To do this we need to identify and match up drivers living near to these veterans. However, I must point out that while every effort will be made, there is no guarantee that every veteran can be matched with a driver. An early request will be more likely to have a positive outcome.

Please contact Mike Hughes bye-mail (please use header Remembrance Day) to [email protected] or leave a message (SMS or voice if no reply) on 07973 430022.

To sum up, FREE TAXIS will be supplied 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Victory Services Club Union Jack Club and all main line stations. Return journeys will be provided from Westminster Bridge after the parade has ended (approximately 12:30 to 2 p.m.)