Two veterans have been sharing their memories of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953
Veterans Vic Needham Crofton and Tom Weatherall have become great friends as part of the Taxi Charity Fundraising Bucket Collection Team. Little did they know when they first met through the charity that they had both played their part in the Queen’s Coronation.
On Coronation Day Vic was one of the soldiers who lined the coronation route and Tom was stationed with the RAF outside Westminster Abbey.
Vic Needham Crofton said, “We trained for about six weeks to be ready for the Queen’s Coronation and we were honoured to line the route. It rained for most of the day, but we didn’t mind. I will be watching all the Jubilee coverage wearing my beret and medals. It was a very special day seventy years ago and I am sure the platinum jubilee celebrations will be just as special.”
Tom Weatherall said, “Seventy years ago I was in the RAF and as I was only young, I was the perfect age for parades. As an ex-pit lad, it was a real privilege to be part of the Coronation Squad. On the day I was outside Westminster Abbey, and we saluted and presented arms as the Queen got out of her carriage. As soon as the Queen was inside, we marched off and enjoyed the party atmosphere with a few pints in the Elephant and Castle.”
To find out more about the support the Taxi Charity offers veterans visit www.taxicharity.org
About the Taxi Charity
The Taxi Charity is run by volunteer London black taxi drivers and has been supporting thousands of veterans of all ages since 1948. The charity arranges free trips to the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, for acts of commemoration and days out to museums, concerts, or fundraising events in the UK, to catch up with friends and comrades.
The Charity worked tirelessly during the pandemic to ensure veterans received regular contact by sending out a greeting card each month, gifts to mark the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ day, stockings at Christmas and arranging Guards of Honour at veterans’ funerals. Volunteers have also helped with regular phone calls, food shopping, transport to hospital appointments, and more recently taking veterans for their Coronavirus injections.
The charity was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2021.
To fund and facilitate their work, the charity is reliant on generous donations from members of the public, businesses, and trusts.
