Lee Welden, formerly WO1 Garrison Sergeant Major, Worthy Down, Hampshire, our speaker for the evening, was welcomed by President Paul Russell to our dinner meeting on Monday, 12th August, 2024.
Lee Welden began his military career 30 years ago as a Scots Guardsman, following his family tradition. He had always wanted to be a policeman, so 3 years later he joined the Military Police where served for the next 27 years. He was sent to many dangerous theatres of war including Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Iran and Irak.
Lee was at Worthy Down when he heard of the Queen’s death, on 8th September, 2022, very shortly after she died. The emotion was obvious in his voice and on his face as he described to us his feeling of complete loss and emotional upset. He has worked with the royal family for a number of years and knows many of the senior members personally. The queen has always been a role model for Lee, his hero, whom he has served with honour and a high sense of duty.
Lee’s role in the organisation of Her Majesty’s funeral was to prepare 70 members of the Adjutant General’s Corps ready in all aspects for the State funeral. The personnel came in all shapes and sizes, wearing different uniforms, different buttons, badges, caps. Some didn’t even have a uniform. The logistics were daun ting.
At the close of many days of training, starting every morning at 6.00am, marching, sword bearing, time keeping and more, Sergeant Major Lee Welden was speechless, (most unheard of for a Sergeant Major!), with his ‘army’ completely exhausted. there is a saying – “Drill is a pill which should be taken twice daily” – apparently, plenty of ‘pills’ were taken.
Even during the funeral service, Lee and many others had to be thinking about and planning the Proclamation Service for King Charles. This service had not taken place for a long time, but as Lee said, “We are the world’s tops when it comes to pageantry”.
He has the greatest respect for King Charles while recognising that he is very different in personality from the queen. He is more jovial and like the younger royals, he realises that times are changing and people want and expect more informal contact with the royal family.
Lee’s closing words expressed the poignancy of the queen’s funeral, especially through the music, together with the honour and privilege he felt through serving her professionally throughout his long military career.
For photos click here
Diana Brooks
