On 3 February 1954, the newly-crowned
Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to set foot on Australian soil. She was accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Although I was a tiny tot I remember the excitement this royal visit engendered in her Australian subjects. For the 1954 visit I lined up with my Mum hours before the Queen's drive through
King's Cross. Luckily we were at the front of the crowd so I caught a glimpse of the lady in the big black car. Unfortunately my father,
Allan John Curry, was unable to join us for this occasion as he was busy with work. As a member of the NSW Mounted Police he and his horse were elsewhere (perhaps in Canberra, ACT) getting ready to form a guard of honour or provide an escort for the Queen. I think the photo reproduced below was taken at this time.
My Dad and his fellow officers in the NSW Mounted Police c.1954
The Queen has visited Australia fifteen times in all : 1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002 and 2006. I have vague memories of some of these visits.
Once the Queen's motorcade passed by my grandmother's home in
Anzac Parade, Kensington. Together with Nanna and some Aunts we stood on the street to wave to Her Majesty. I can remember Mum and the Aunts discussing the Queen's flawless complexion after that event.
I was visiting my eye specialist once in
Sydney's Macquarie Street on the day of another visit. With the specialist and his receptionist we had a birdseye view of the Queen and her entourage as they moved down Macquarie Street and we waved froom his upstairs window.
Since the advent of colour television I have not taken to the streets to see the Queen but have followed her from the comfort of my living room.
This post has been prepared for Follow the Parade,Carnival of Genealogy, 80th Edition.
