Page 32 - 2022-09

GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE

on their insignia and crests as well. maces, swagger sticks, and regalia, will be up for
I have heard and read that when Elizabeth sale in addition to blankets and other trinkets of

became queen, many of the Royal Canadian the realm. Yes, we will miss our most gracious
Mounted Police “took their time” making the and noble Queen, the face I have been seeing on
physical transition of their badges from the stamps and coins for all my life but the future
imperial crown that they had been wearing is now endless before us. It is time to proclaim

since 1920 to the new St. Edward’s crown worn once more, “The Queen is Dead. Long Live
after 1952. I am sure there will be a few diehards the King!”-and pass me the latest medal list or
somehow managing to keep the “old” Lizzie military surplus catalog. I have to add the Charles
badges or buttons on, at least during the first year III versions of the medals I collect to my mini-

or two! Of course, if you had received any of the museum of the British Empire. And yes, I have
civil or military orders, decorations and medals met Prince Charles along with my British boss at
issued during her reign, they will always be worn the British Consulate in 1994 when the Prince of
during her successor’s reign—perhaps adding Wales was making one of his royal visits on behalf

a Charlie on the ribbon bar as well. Personally, of the Queen. I, like many Brits, am waiting to
the only medal I received during her time was a see what he will do to continue to restore Britain
Canadian Royal Lifesaving Bronze Medal which and the Commonwealth and fill some very big
did not have Elizabeth on it as it was not a crown- shoes previously earned and worn by his mother.

issued award.
I thought I had them all or most of the
varieties I collected. Some reflect the beginning
of a ruler’s reign, or honor those in imperial

service, or even echo the last hurrahs of the
British Empire “where the sun never sets.”
But now before me is a horrible dilemma,
a reality that I must face as well as the fact that

I, too, am getting old (but not as old as King
Charles III). Do I now patiently wait for the first
Charles III medal to be struck and promulgated
throughout the empire? It will be his Coronation

Medal, date not set, but like his mother’s Platinum
Jubilee Medal of 2022, will be on the market the
day they are distributed.
Ergo, in the months and years ahead, there

will be millions of obsolete uniform buttons,
thousands of military and police badges-all
emblazoned with the E II R cypher, and I am
sure that other items such as drum major’s LONG LIVE THE KING!

32 ONE COMMUNITY