Operation London Bridge

At the most sad, poignant, momentous, majestic, and patriotic event in recent British history, I am proud to say that volunteers from RE:ACT were on the ground, doing what they do best. 

Our passion to support those most in need was amplified by our own strong desire to pay our respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty epitomised selfless commitment, one of RE:ACT’s core values, so what better way to express our gratitude for her unwavering service, than by offering a little service to others of our own? 

Many volunteers, like myself, had served the Queen throughout our Military careers and wanted nothing more than to ensure that Op London Bridge went without a hitch. 

To help visitors negotiate the labyrinth of pedestrian diversions and one-way systems that were implemented to facilitate the movement of the thousands of people who flocked to London to share the Queen’s final journey, Greater London Authority (GLA) had ‘Team London’, a team of about 800 willing, volunteer ‘Wayfinders’. 

The plan was for them to mingle with the crowds, offering information and answering questions allowing those who came to lay flowers and line the streets for the processions to find their way with ease.

However, at the ninth hour, the GLA asked us to step in to support the co-ordination and briefing of ‘Team London’ and the flow of information from the control centre to the team members across London, and back again.

Later that day, I was offered the chance to be Team Leader and early the following morning, found myself not just in the beating heart of London but right in the centre of mission control, briefing the other enthusiastic RE:ACT volunteers.

My experience in the control centre, the bustling hub of this complex operation, was enlightening.  It was from there that Jon White, our South East Regional Leader, and I were to observe each day’s events unfolding.

From there we were able to guide the RE:ACT co-ordinators on the ground and share the information received from them with the GLA and any other of the relevant authorities.  A network of screens around the room showed the news whilst others relayed CCTV footage which allowed us to keep an eye on all the key locations.

We could see the steady stream of people wishing to pay their respects to the Queen as they negotiated the temporary one-way pedestrianised routes around Buckingham Palace. 

We watched the shuffling queue of mourners patiently waiting for hours for their moment to file past the Queen lying in state in the Palace of Westminster. We saw the movement of the Army of well-wishers making their way to the parks to secure places with the best views of the forthcoming processions. 

Over six days, we had between two and eight teams of responders out on the ground at any one time.  Their day would begin with a briefing to the Team London volunteers. Assisting with their radio checks before joining them on the streets, in the parks and in the stations where the visitors were pouring in.  They were then instrumental in providing communications and acting as our eyes and ears on the ground. 

Back in the control centre, the pace of activity was intense.  We were implementing, trialling, testing, and adjusting the processes we had devised to best support the GLA staff. 

RE:ACT radio operators joined us to log and manage the tidal flow of information, leaving Jon and I to monitor the situation, deal with the issues being passed up to us, engage with the GLA staff, attend the briefings, co-ordinate our volunteers on the ground and plan the following days. 

There was a rising nervous tension as D+10, the day of the Queen’s funeral approached. We were resolute in our determination to ensure that on this historic day of pageantry we conducted ourselves with professionalism and poise, and we did!

RE:ACT volunteers are the most adaptable, friendly, and skilled bunch of people I have had the pleasure to work with. I knew I could rely on their initiative, professionalism, and enormous energy throughout the whole of our task.

We were immensely proud to be given the opportunity to support an occasion that was so close to the hearts of all those involved. 

As I observed the processions and funeral service on this final day from a desk in the control centre, I swelled with emotion and pride.  It was such an honour for us to join those in showing their gratitude for the Queen’s long life of inspirational leadership and service by playing their part in ensuring that this final farewell went with the nobility and dignity she so richly deserved.