“A DAY TO REMEMBER”

June the 12^th 2004 saw the names of those awarded an honour in the Queens Birthday Honours list and I was grateful to be one of the lucky recipients.  It was published in the press and on TV.

Iain in the middle with his sons - Bruce on the left and Adrian on the right

Needless to say congratulations flooded in from various sources including the HSE, IOSH, and of course many friends. November the 4th 2004 was the day in question for my investiture, and on the 3rd of November myself, Margaret and my two sons headed for London where we stayed overnight before going to the palace in the morning.  Driving up to the palace was impressive and after a search of the car by the police and checking of the passes we were ushered into the quadrangle of the palace.  We made our way up the red carpet staircase into the palace where we were greeted by members of the Royal Household staff who pointed us in the right direction, guests into the ballroom and myself as a recipient in to the picture gallery. The picture gallery is lovely, and I mingled there with the 101 other recipients who were to receive awards, for various catergories, OBEs, MBEs, CBEs, Dames, Knighthoods, service and bravery awards, Police Commendations etc.

The guests were all seated and the presentation formally began it was to be conducted that day by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was in Germany.

The orchestra struck up with the national anthem and then all the recipients of the awards were presented one at a time to HRH, whilst other tunes were played by the military orchestra as I was approx 75 in the order of presentation I had a little while to wait, to look and admire the pictures and other recipients in the picture gallery.

Soon it was my turn to be presented to HRH, and with pride I had my MBE pinned on my jacket by HRH, a few moments talk on safety and the wearing of the kilt ensued and then it was all over a shake of the hand and head off to the back of the ballroom to take up my place with all the other guests, friends and recipients.  

When the ceremony was over everyone filed out into the quadrangle for the pictures and of course the sun was shining which made a nice scene at the palace on that bright crisp November day.

A day to remember and one, which will stay with me for the rest of my life.  The whole day was video`d so I have this to treasure and look back upon whenever I wish.

My thanks go to all those who were involved in my nomination and I know there were many, but particularly my good friends in IOSH they know who they are.

Iain M. Murray MBE