It was an emotional day for Queen Camilla, who today visited The Royal Lancers, the regiment in which her later father served, in North Yorkshire for the first time since she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief.
Despite winning a Military Cross for bravery, Major Bruce Shand was a modest and self-effacing man who chose not to speak of his wartime exploits until his grandchildren were born.
It took his daughter, now the king’s wife, to convince him to write a book, Previous Engagements, about his time in uniform.
It was published in 1990 and she said it was “a huge relief for him to be able to tell people about it.”
Major Shand, who died in June 2006, was commissioned into the 12th Royal Lancers in 1937 after graduating from Sandhurst.
It was an emotional day for Queen Camilla, who today visited The Royal Lancers, the regiment in which her later father served, in North Yorkshire for the first time since she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief.
In 1940 he found himself in France facing the Germans as they advanced towards the sea. Returning with his men to shore, he narrowly avoided capture before being evacuated from Dunkirk.
The citation of his Military Cross speaks of Shand’s “skill and great audacity” and how, by “the intrepid maneuvers of his troops, he covered the retreat of a column in the face of fire from four enemy tanks.”
Major Shand also saw action in North Africa and at the Battle of El Alamein he was ordered through enemy lines on a reconnaissance mission.
Faced with a German motorized column that engaged his men with heavy fire, he covered the retreat of the 1st/6th Rajputana Rifles and organized the evacuation of 20 armored vehicles, which would otherwise have fallen into enemy hands.
Again his enormous value was recognized by others, this time with a recommendation that a Bar be awarded to his MC. The citation said he had proven himself to be a “first rate” cavalry leader.
He was later introduced to Winston Churchill, who admired Major Shand’s medal and commented on how thin he was.
In November 1942 his luck finally ran out when he was captured by retreating German forces.
Their radio operator died along with their driver when they tried to flee. And as he climbed out of the burning vehicle, Major Shand himself was shot in the knee.
Despite winning a Military Cross for bravery, Major Bruce Shand (pictured in 1946 on his wedding day) was a modest and self-effacing man who chose not to talk about his wartime exploits until his grandchildren were born.
He was taken to Germany and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner at Spangenberg Castle, Hesse.
After returning home he married Rosalind Cubitt, the daughter of Lord Ashcombe. Camilla was the first of his three children.
The Queen was able to reconnect with a part of her father’s history when she sweetly met the soldiers’ young children during her visit.
On the way to the barracks on Monday, Her Majesty, wearing a striking military-inspired outfit with chain mail on the shoulders, met young people who were very excited to meet the Queen.
Five-year-old Edie Pritchard had spent days perfecting her bows before meeting the Queen for the first time on Monday, but quickly became overwhelmed by the seriousness of the situation.
Shortly after handing Camilla a beautiful bouquet of flowers, the young woman jumped on the spot before quickly running for cover behind her mother, Georgie Pritchard, who continued chatting with the Queen about the weather.
After returning home he married Rosalind Cubitt, the daughter of Lord Ashcombe. Camilla was the first of his three children. Camilla and her father photographed in 1992.
The Queen was able to reconnect with a part of her father’s story when she sweetly met the soldiers’ young children during her visit. Pictured: Camilla’s children Tom Parker Bowles (right) and Laura Parker Bowles (left) and her father in 2005.
Camilla photographed with her father, center, and her brother Mark in 2003. Today she was able to reconnect with her family history.
Mrs Pritchard, whose husband is Major Tom Pritchard, the commanding officer of B Squadron, said: “She has been so excited for a week that she has been at home practicing her bows.”
‘I only told her today that I would give her the flowers because I thought it would be too much for her.
“I was absolutely thrilled, every little girl’s dream is to meet the Queen.”
He went on to say that the Queen’s visit meant a lot to the Regiment, saying: “Because she is linked to the regiment through her family, when she is here it not only feels like a day’s work, but it feels like she wants to be here. over there”. here. There’s a real sense of that when you chat to her. “She’s interested and she cares and that’s really lovely.”
Other little ones bowed to the royal, with one boy saying: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty” before being praised for his “great bow.”
The young fans then shook Camilla’s hand, before she commented: “Your fingers are cold, you’ll have to warm them up.”
Her Majesty, who took up the appointment last June, wore a blue Fiona Clare dress inspired by the Lancers uniform with a red mandarin collar and a cheerful beret with the regimental brooch that had belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was the previous owner. of the position.
Interestingly, the designer’s son is also captain of the Lancers and was present at the event.
The Queen was received by the Lord Lieutenant, Jo Ropner, and the Regiment’s Colonel, Colonel Richard Charrington at Cambrai Lines inside Munster Barracks in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
She was then greeted with a royal salute before braving the rain to inspect some of the 152 Lancers on parade.
Camilla then gave a deeply personal speech, recalling her father’s first impression of the Regiment as relaxed and friendly, particularly the senior non-commissioned officers, who would later write “took charge of my education and tactfully but firmly directed my steps.” hesitant.” They were very competent babysitters, with a decidedly unbabysitting ability to drink beer.
Queen Camilla wore a striking military-inspired outfit with chain mail on the shoulders as she visited The Royal Lancers in North Yorkshire for the first time since being appointed Colonel-in-Chief.
Colonel Richard Charrington presented Britain’s Queen Camilla with a trophy celebrating her visit to The Royal Lancers.
Today the Queen, pictured, met those serving in the Royal Lancers and veterans at their barracks.
Eight-seven years later, he added, the atmosphere had happily remained unchanged, but he joked: “I won’t ask about the NCOs’ beer capacity, though!”
Referring to upcoming deployments to Poland, Kosovo and Cyprus, she said: “The Lancers have always impressed me with their family spirit, whose comfort and support I experienced as a daughter of the Regiment, and I am delighted to see so many families and members of the Association of Old Comrades here today. Especially now, when many of your loved ones are looking to deploy overseas.
‘During the British Expeditionary Force’s retreat to Dunkirk, battling insidious fatigue, poor maps and an ever-advancing enemy force, my father reflected: “My troop was wonderful” and “I know, as a troop leader, how much I owe them.” to these…soldiers.”
‘As they look ahead to a display of challenge and complexity, I know this fierce camaraderie of the Lancers will be replicated as they strive to make our world a safer place.
“I wish you all good luck in the coming months, the greatest of good fortune and a very safe return.”