I packed one really nice dress with a matching jacket.  You never know when you might actually run in the same circles with royalty.

I did not really expect to have a brush with royalty, but I did. 

We arrived in London the day Harry Patch, the last Tommy, died.  He was 111.  First reports said he was 113.  In any case, he was the last living WWI vet in the trenches.  The last of a lost generation of men.  I have a part of WWI history in my family as I had an uncle who served with the Canadian army.  I inherited his WWI field glasses. He was a Scottish man who moved to Canada, then later to Chicago where he married my father's eldest sister. 

As we were in London we watched the news coverage with the footage from almost 100 years ago.  We noticed wreaths by the War Memorials in London.  It was only a week later that we discovered the funeral would be at Wells Cathedral - while we were in residence.  No, we were not asked to sing.  Wells' Choir and an organist were called backed from holiday.

To be seated in the Nave one had to have a ticket.  I was able to get the last ticket.  1300 people in the nave singing O God, our help in ages past.  What an experience.  Everyone knew the words.  Hardly anyone I could see even looked at the bulletin for the words.  The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) and the Duchess of Glousester seated from a few yards from me.  The Wells Choir - 8 men and 22 children, girls and boys dressed in Elizabethan collars with the choir robes, performed.  The Dean said a brief homily.  On the Cathedral Green outside, BBC and ITV cameras were everywhere along with Bobbies.  The crowd reached some 3000 plus for the smallest city in all of England.  I could barely walk out of my apartment.  I saw officers from Belgium, France, Germany, England and a few ambassadors in the audience. 

We were all there to celebrate a life.  As the Dean said, "An ordinary man with an extraordinary life".  The bugelers played Revielle for the last time. 

The announcement of the service that day at Noon was annouced with the Wells Amatuer Bell Ringers.  I am not certain but I believe these were the people on the ropes ringing the bells the old-fashioned way - not the electronic way and no handbells in sight.  As I was dressing that morning at 10am the bells began.  They rang jubilently for one and 3/4 hours before the hearse arrived at the Cathedral. 

I was able to watch all 6 Virgers - there movements - the various processions - there were several.  I later met the organist and we talked about instruments and the local organ gossip of who was building what where.  I now have word on who might be building the next important organ in England and it is someone I know.  Plus, I know how to play a hymn for 1300 people!

What a moment in history to share with the country of England.  I will forever remember the service and be grateful to all the Tommy's for their service in fighting for freedom.