England

Role for military in Thames pageant

The military will play a key role in a spectacular flotilla celebrating the Queen's 60-year reign, organisers of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant announced today.

The 1,000-boat tribute will reflect Britain's maritime heritage and feature vessels from down the centuries in a seven-mile long procession on the River Thames.

The flotilla will be divided into 10 sections, with the music herald barges separating each group.

The Herald Fanfare Trumpeters from the Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines will perform a fanfare to each of the Thames bridges to herald the arrival of the Queen in her Royal Barge.

From another barge, 35 musicians from the Band of her Majesty’s Royal Marines will play popular nautical airs and marine marches.

Around 3,000 vessels applied to be included in the water-bourne procession.

One boat taking part had a pivotal role in the dramatic Dunkirk evacuations of the Second World War.

As British and Allied troops were plucked to safety from French beaches in 1940, motor torpedo boat (MTB) 102 was used to help co-ordinate the efforts.

On board was Rear Admiral Frederic Wake-Walker, in charge of the rescue operation in the waters off Dunkirk and marshalling the ships, who used the boat after his own vessel was put out of action by a bomb.

Marine engineer Richard Basey is part of a group of enthusiasts who have helped keep the MTB 102 in the water for more than 15 years.

Mr Basey said: "We're absolutely delighted, we're honoured to be chosen to take part in the pageant.

"We were involved with the MTB when she was just another old boat but over the past 15 years things have changed considerably and she's quite a celebrity now."

The flotilla will travel under 14 bridges, feature 20,000 people on the water and take 90 minutes to pass any given point.

Millions of spectators are expected to line the river banks and fill London's public spaces and it is likely to be watched by an estimated global television audience of hundreds of millions.