Army chefs behind the scenes of Coronation prep 05062023 CREDIT Army MOD
101 Operational Sustainment Brigade were responsible for over 2,000 personnel providing the ‘real life’ support elements for those participating in the biggest ceremonial event in 70 years (Picture: Army/ MOD).
King Charles III coronation

Coronation in numbers: Army's behind-the-scenes operation revealed

Army chefs behind the scenes of Coronation prep 05062023 CREDIT Army MOD
101 Operational Sustainment Brigade were responsible for over 2,000 personnel providing the ‘real life’ support elements for those participating in the biggest ceremonial event in 70 years (Picture: Army/ MOD).

Some 9,000 servicemen and women were deployed for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, with 7,000 performing ceremonial roles.

But, while often out of the limelight, those working behind the scenes at the biggest ceremonial event in 70 years were crucial.

The Army's 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade were responsible for over 2,000 personnel providing the 'real life' support elements, everything from feeding to transport, hairdressing to physiotherapy, to make sure those taking part could do so to the best of their ability.

Army chefs had to ensure that meals were "nutritionally balanced whilst also being served in line with the demanding schedule of preparations".

Private Florence Bull-Gerber of 27 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), said: "You have to get your timing right because you are cooking for so many different people and such large numbers.

"The variety of the job and challenges like this is the reason I joined the Army."

The Army said: "Over the course of the rehearsals, across multiple locations, 122,445 meals will have been served, 81,630 eggs and 74,130 sausages cooked, and 81,630 litres of bottled water issued."

Watch: The military's coronation in under four minutes.

To ensure that the thousands of soldiers living away from home could stay in touch with their families and friends, 10 Signal Regiment were "working around the clock to make sure they can stay connected wherever they are", the Army said.

"The squadron's day job is providing copper and fibre-optic cables to support deployed headquarters in far-flung parts of the world, but whether home or abroad, the presence of a Wi-Fi signal makes a massive difference to morale."

Brigadier Patrick 'Patch' Reehal, Commander of 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade, said: "I am foremost a Joint Commander of logistics and my prime responsibility has been to establish and operate the multiple concentration areas where UK and Commonwealth Forces have been based.

"On an average day, we will see the movement of thousands of personnel, serve over 30,000 meals and we have staff working around the clock. This plan is on a scale not seen since the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965."

Coronation preparations also saw 3,000 bags of laundry, 900 haircuts, and 1,700 tailoring alterations.

From the British Army there were close to 4,000 personnel were involved in the ceremonial duties.

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