A shiver ran down the back of Mike Tanner as he watched the Queen’s accession to the throne.
To mark the diamond jubilee, the 76-year-old former Royal Navy commander has been reminiscing about that momentous occasion – and is today (June 1) sharing his memories with Hook-with-Warsash pupils.
Mike Tanner awarded an OBE from the Queen, with his wife Pat and son Richard
“I can still remember the shiver that went through my spine when the crown was put on her head,” he said.
“It was magnificent to see the crowning of the Queen. Then I had to watch it on a black and white television – which was a new thing back in those days.
“I think we were all very sorry that King George VI had died because he had been so ill. But we were very glad that the Queen became Queen.”
Then aged just 17 and living in Oxfordshire, Mike was embarking on a Royal Navy career with a historic moment he would treasure forever.
June 2, 1952 was the day Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the throne from King George VI. One year later the coronation at Westminster Abbey formally marked the occasion.
Although unable to be one of the 450 cadets to line the streets for the coronation, Mike cheered the Queen on board a World Ward Two aircraft carrier at the Spithead Review of the Fleet, in Portsmouth.
He was on HMS Indefatigable as the royal couple passed a fleet of thousands of navy officers from 22 nations.
“It was absolutely incredible to see the Queen’s coronation and to be part of the Spithead Review of the Fleet,” said Mike, of Warsash Road.
“As the Queen passed each ship we gave three cheers and Prince Philip made the return salute.
“One million light bulbs were switched on across all the ships out at sea. Then red, white and blue fireworks were let off in the air and everyone cheered.”
As an ex-Warsash ward councillor and former governor at the school, Mike was delighted to be invited to share his memories with the children at a church service at St Mary’s as part of the school’s day of celebrations.
The pupils will be celebrating with the Queen’s Big Lunch and will be participating in activities throughout the day – all while wearing red, white and blue.
Mike said having worked in the navy for more almost 40 years -and received an OBE from the Queen - he was delighted to be able to mark the milestone anniversary.
He added: “I feel very thrilled about it that she’s lived this long and that I’ve served her for that number of years.
“I hope I’ll be able to give the children some sort of feeling of what it was like for me to be there and to play a small part in it.
“It was absolutely amazing. It’s something that happens once in a lifetime.”