For one Bolton ex-serviceman, the Golden Jubilee revives very personal memories. On Coronation Day day in 1953 in London, Mr Vincent Heaton was a member of the military Coronation Party. Here, he recounts his experiences on that very special occasion.

ON leaving the Army in March 1950 following my National Service, I enlisted into the 5th Battalion of the Loyal Regiment TA on a three-year engagement. By 1953, I had risen to the dizzy heights of sergeant and was disappointed not to be chosen for the 30-odd strong Coronation Party.

A few weeks prior to the Coronation, I was called to the general offices of my place of work (being a template maker of John Booth and Sons, Hulton Steelworks, Bolton) to find my Commanding Officer, together with the Regimental Sergeant Major and the general manager, wanting to talk to me.

The CO spoke to me at some length. He said: "One man has had to drop out of the Coronation Party and we would like you to take his place. You would have to go as a private soldier, not as a sergeant since all the uniforms have already been made."

If my memory serves me correctly, his surname was the same as mine. I think that is probably the only reason why I was invited to take his place; that and my size.

The special uniforms -- peak cap, dark/royal blue uniform with red piping down the trousers, looked very smart; some minor adjustments having to be made to fit me.

The CO asked me how I felt about this. I replied I would be delighted to be included in the Coronation Party, since it is not every day we have a Coronation.

We practised marching as a body throughout the town, with a full dress parade, into the Bolton Parish Church, flags flying, bayonets fixed -- all very stirring stuff and paid both by the Army and employer. Not bad!

We spent two days at Formby, then proceeded by train to London, stationed in Hyde Park under canvas. We practised every day, drilling, marching etc, and a great deal of polishing; we being the street-lining party situated near Hyde Park Corner.

The day of the Coronation dawned cold and wet, nothing to drink after midnight the night before. Reveille was at 4am and, after a quick breakfast, we were in position by about 6am.

There was great excitement in the crowds and an air of expectancy. We, of course, had the best position, with the police behind us and the crowds beyond them.

The dignitaries had to be in Westminster Abbey by 7am with the service starting at 10.30am. We learned afterwards that many of the Peers had sandwiches hidden in their coronets, which they discreetly ate when opportunity arose. As the huge parade passed our position on the way to the Abbey, we were stood to attention for 45 minutes (try standing for 10 minutes without moving. It's not easy).

Every country in the Empire and Commonwealth was represented and joined in the celebrations.

Two events stand out clearly in my memory. The first, when Princess Margaret passed us in a beautiful coach, looking every bit like a fairy princess.

The second was when the Queen of Tonga passed us in an open carriage, laughing and smiling in the pouring rain.

It was later estimated that 20 million people watched on TV. The Coronation was the turning point in mass television.

We caught the train back to Bolton the following day and, on our arrival at Fletcher Street Barracks, had to explain how a certain Corporal's jacket and trousers were cut into 10mm strips in the seat area -- but that's another story!