Posted by Tom Morris
Photo provided by Buckingham Palace Press Services
Tom Morris following his MBE presentation
The car to transport my wife Dee and me and two of our three children to Buckingham Palace arrived at 9.30 am prompt at the Victory Services Club. Butterflies were already flying in my stomach at this stage! The journey took about 10 minutes and after a very intensive security check of car and passengers we were directed to the official entrance to the palace, where one had seen on television heads of state and other dignitaries being greeted by the Queen. After entering and being offered the use of cloakroom facilities, recipients of awards were separated from their guests at around 10.15am and directed up a grand staircase to a most exotic ‘waiting room’ called the Picture Gallery. The gallery is 155 feet long and paintings by Dutch and Flemish artists collected by monarchs since Charles II abound. With some 45 minutes to wait until the investitures began, it was a good opportunity to both study the paintings and to meet the other 100 or so other recipients. In the meantime, our guests had been escorted into the State Ballroom where the investitures were to take place and were entertained by the String Orchestra of the Band of the Irish Guards.
Following briefings of both recipients and guests by two of the Gentlemen Ushers, the ceremony began promptly at 11 o’clock. Five Yeomen of the Queen’s Bodyguard marched in and took up their positions on the dais. The Prince of Wales, who was to conduct in investiture on behalf of the Queen, was escorted into the Ballroom by two Ghurkha Orderly Officers, took up his position on the dais, the National Anthem was played and the ceremony began.
Recipients were directed forward in groups to take up their position at the left entrance of the ballroom. In due course we were directed forward one by one to take up a position next to one of the Gentlemen Ushers and exactly when my name and citation ( Thomas Morris ‘For services to the NHS and the community of Dersingham’) was announced by the Lord Chamberlain, I marched forward to take up my position in front of the Prince of Wales, bowed and tried to steady my nerves! The MBE medal was attached to the hook that had previously been fitted on my lapel and light conversation followed. It was an extremely proud moment for me, made even more so when the Prince seemed so well informed – and well briefed – about my involvement in the community. He expressed considerable interest in the Carole Brown Health Centre, an interest undoubtedly gained during his involvement with the development of the health centre complex. After about a minute and the handshake was a hint to step back, bow again and exit right to another gallery where the medal was removed and placed in a special commemorative box. We recipients then took our places at the rear of the ballroom and sat out the rest of the ceremony which finished with the National Anthem being played. We then rejoined our families and went with the masses for the photograph sessions in the Quadrangle.
As well as being very proud, one felt very humble amongst the other recipients many of whom had done some extraordinary things. They included 5 very young men from the Mercian Regiment who had been invested with the Military Cross for their actions in Afghanistan as well as 4 being made Knights of the Realm and one Dame.
It was a memorable occasion in magnificent surroundings and in glorious weather too. What more could one ask for?