Condolences to our U.K. members

[Stig / Major Tom]

Queen Elizabeth II has died.
Taking the reins in 1952 - she is the only Queen most of us have known.

I enjoyed watching her tromping through the mud and driving out to check the grounds in her Rover.
As a young woman she served as a mechanic in WWII.

Tom

[CROSSBOLT]

First thought was to Neil...he is not the only one of our midst but this has to be shattering to all of Great Britain as I have only an inkling of how all Britons revered the Queen Mother.

Having hoisted a few with Brit soldiers and sailors in Hong Kong and Okinawa the learning curve is very steep concerning the Queen. Perish the thought of even remotely criticising Queen Elizabeth lest you wind up with ingrown British fist!

All ranks gathered at the China Fleet Club in the 60's for some pretty unusual movies ALWAYS preceeded by smart stomping to attention to the image of Queen Elizabeth, the anthem and a rousing "God save the Queen!"

Like Major Tom said, she was a driver/ mechanic during WWII and a heartbreaker while doing that! The world will have an empty place for a while....

[Viper254]

Thankyou - it's a very strange atmosphere here today and a few tears have been collectively shed.

[Neil955i]

Many thanks Tom and Karl, much appreciated. I was driving up to Yorkshire when the news broke. Devastating. She ascended to the throne the month of my birth so has been more of a constant than my own long dead parents. It will be hard coming to terms with her passing. As you say Karl she was a heart breaker in her youth and I loved the stories of her & Margaret mixing anonymously with the crowds on VE night.

King Charles III, now there’s a prospect…

[Ex-KLR]

Sad.  The end of an era.  She was strong until the very end.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Flags are lowered here today, across the nation.

Stig

[Neil955i]

Flags are lowered here todsy, across the nation.

Stig

Nice touch & much appreciated by this Brit.