Disclaimer - Most of the characters have been created by Tony Grounds and are owned by the BBC.
Just doing my job
Part 2 - The Gentleman Usher
When people asked Sir Roger Olding what on earth a Gentleman Usher actually did, his flippant reply, not too far from the truth, was to say that he was one of Buckingham Palace's part-time bouncers! In fact, the former Rear Admiral was one of a small team of ex-military senior officers who could be called upon to help run important palace events attended by the public (mainly investitures and garden parties).
His official role at investitures was very important; it was to stand within a few feet of the Queen, or her deputy, and do the final check on all recipients, just before they were presented. His secondary, but unwritten role, was to calm down those being presented whose nerves were getting the better of them.
For 30 minutes or so before each ceremony, he usually mucked in with other palace staff helping guests of those receiving awards find seats. Often, they were clearly overawed by their surroundings and needed some guidance. Here were three such now - a middle aged couple (husband and wife probably) and an older woman. They'd just come through the double doors into the huge ballroom where investitures are always held, and were standing around, seemingly awe-struck by the size and grandeur of their surroundings. He'd seen that look many times before.
The older of the two women, in a primrose coloured suit, had just removed a large, and very elegant, hat revealing grey hair neatly tied in a bun. Holding her hat and clasp bag in front of her, she looked around the magnificent room, with its plush red carpets, luxurious matching fabrics and furnishings, high ceiling covered in gold leaf and numerous chandeliers. A small orchestra was tuning up at one end of the room.
"Whatcha fink, Dave, classy or what?"
"It may be classy," said the man called Dave, "but where the 'ell do we go?"
Sir Roger stepped up to them, "Can I help you?"
"Yeah, we was wondering where to sit," said Dave.
"Well, can I suggest up there on the raised seating area down the side. They're the best seats in the room and not reserved. If you sit this side, high up, you'll get an unobstructed view of your ...? ". He looked enquiringly at them.
"Our daugh'er".
"...of your daughter getting her award from His Royal Highness. If you sit over there you'll only be twenty feet from the presentation and get a lovely view of her entering the room through that side door."
"Ta mate," said Dave.
Although not all of the citations he had read the night before stuck in his mind, he could recall most to a greater or lesser degree. "Can I ask who your daughter is?"
The younger woman with long blonde hair spoke, "Its our Molls, innit."
Molls? Must be short for Molly and there was only one Molly on the list - Private Molly Dawes RAMC! He certainly remembered that citation – almost word for word. He'd had to read it twice because he couldn't believe his eyes first time.
"The Military Cross. You must be very proud of her"
"Proud ain't the word for it." said the older woman.
"Ere, can we take pictures?" asked Dave.
"I am afraid not, but you'll be able to order official photographs on the way out. I hope you have a very enjoyable day".
The three guests of Private Molly Dawes sat down and made themselves comfortable.
After helping a few other groups, Sir Roger was given a five minute warning in his earpiece by one of the Lord Chamberlain's staff. It was time to get ready for the ceremony, so he walked back to stand at the front of the room behind a small white cross temporarily stuck on the carpet. He looked over at the Dawes family. Mrs Dawes gave him a friendly wave. He smiled back.
That wave bought Molly Dawes back into his thoughts again. It made him remember why he found this job so satisfying and why he particularly liked doing investitures. It was right that the sovereign should reward those that do selfless acts. He wasn't so sure about some of the other people who got honoured though. Why a footballer should be rewarded for being good at kicking a ball was beyond him. But when he saw people who had given up their time, and worked hard in their communities with little or no financial reward, beaming with pride at being recognised and appreciated by their Sovereign, he got immense satisfaction from the job.
However, somebody like Molly Dawes was something else again. To do what she did was the ultimate in selflessness, putting her life in danger (twice) to save another's. According to the citation she was blown six feet in the air by an anti-personnel mine but carried on to save the life of a seriously injured soldier when she recovered consciousness, despite significant danger from sniper fire. Wow. If he'd had his way she would have got the VC for that, not the MC, and been the first woman ever to get it! An incredibly courageous feat.
The ceremony started on time at 11am. Prince Charles, in his Admiral of the Fleet uniform, walked slowly down the length of the room while the orchestra played a short piece by Mozart. Walking behind him were his two Ghurka guards and his Equerry (a posh name for a Personal Assistant). He took his place on the dais and the National Anthem rang out. His Royal Highness welcomed all the guests and asked them to be seated.
And so the hour of the ceremony slowly passed with Sir Roger checking and controlling, one by one, the queue of recipients stretching back in the anteroom . Not many more to go now. Looking at his list he realised that the next recipient was going to be Private Molly Dawes. He looked towards the door of the anteroom and there she was, standing as straight as a die in her immaculate Army dress uniform, a diminutive figure, a slip of a girl, made to look even smaller by the huge eight foot doorway; really not what he was expecting at all. How could somebody that petite, possibly suffering from concussion and some inevitable injuries, manoeuvre a severely injured infantryman (and herself) into a winch harness? She must have had amazing reserves, not only of courage, but strength as well.
Private Dawes was peering into the huge expanse of the ballroom and biting her lip. Maybe she was a trifle nervous at the grandeur of it all. He decided he would reassure her when she reached him. At a signal from the member of staff controlling things at the doorway she marched up to Sir Roger, stopped on the white cross, and handed over her card.
He could see a small scar on her lower lip and wondered if that was one of the injuries she had sustained from being thrown in the air. What a beautiful girl, he thought, looks a bit like our Penny.
"Don't worry dear," he whispered to her. "You'll be fine. Just relax and be yourself".
Molly turned to look at him with a pair of lovely green eyes. She gave him a smile and an exaggerated wink, "Piece a cake, boss."
He had to chuckle to himself.
The Lord Chamberlain's voice rang out from the lectern beside him, "Private Molly Dawes of the Royal Army Medical Corps. The Military Cross, for bravery during combat operations."
Sir Roger touched her on the arm and whispered with a smile, "Off you go. Enjoy."
He didn't usually watch any of the actual presentations. He was normally too busy studying the notes for the next recipient. But in this instance he made an exception and took a moment to turn and watch Prince Charles as he placed the beautiful silver and gold cross with its white and purple ribbon on Molly's tunic. He turned back to his notes.
Three minutes later and there had not been an announcement of the next recipient from the Lord Chamberlain or any instructions through his earpiece. Unusual. What was going on? Was there a hitch? Sir Roger turned his head to look again. The Prince and Private Dawes were STILL talking and now seemed to be sharing a joke. Somebody would have to tactfully remind His Royal Highness that the advised chat time per recipient was ONE minute not three plus!
So he needn't have worried about Private Molly Dawes. Retired Rear Admirals, Princes, nobody phased her. She seemed to take everything and everybody in her stride and could definitely look after herself. He should have known better. To top it all, judging by the Prince's reaction, she was clearly a real charmer.
He took the opportunity to look over at the Dawes family in their best-in-the-house seats. Dad looked like he was about to burst with pride, Mum was dabbing her eyes with a tissue and Grandma was grinning from ear to ear. The looks on their faces were what made this job worthwhile.
His mind wandered as he checked off the last few recipients. That girl Molly Dawes is very special. She's endearing, very attractive and has an incredible story to tell, he thought. I have a suspicion she's going to be very popular with the media circus waiting out there!