On 6 May 2023, in common with other Regiments and Corps of the Army, the Royal Army Dental Corps (RADC) provided a marching contingent which took part in the Coronation Procession escorting His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

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The Royal Army Dental Corps marching contingent for the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, on 6 May 2023. Photo by kind permission of Jack Boskett www.jackboskett.co.uk

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RADC marching down The Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Photo by kind permission of Jack Boskett www.jackboskett.co.uk

Upon completing the one-mile march from the forming-up point on Whitehall to the palace gardens, along with 4,000 other members of the Armed Forces, the 27-strong RADC contingent took part in the Royal Salute and gave three cheers for His Majesty.

Preparation for the day began three months previously with selection of the participants and then, as requirements were refined, work began on tailoring of uniforms and brushing up on foot and rifle drills. The RADC contingent then joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps in Tidworth before assembling for rehearsals with the rest of the Army contingents at Pirbright and Sandhurst. Final Tri-Service rehearsals included a full rehearsal in London in real-time plus 14 hours; therefore, taking place during the middle of the night! The contingent contained two dental officers, one dental support officer and 24 soldiers (registered dental nurses ranked from Lance Corporal to Warrant Officer Class 1). RADC personnel were drawn from both Regular and Reserve Army Units. It was a proud group of RADC personnel that returned to their surgeries after the Bank Holiday!

With thanks to Quentin Anderson