THE FIFTIETH anniversary of the Queen's Coronation next week will bring the memories flooding back for one York resident.
Patrick Howat, 63, of Rawcliffe, York, was only 13 when he watched the Queen being crowned at Westminster Abbey. As one of the Abbey's 22 choir boys, Mr Howat had a great view of the historic moment as he sang for the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family.
He will relive the amazing moment with his wife, Judith, on Monday at the special anniversary service at the Abbey with the Queen and other important guests.
Mr Howat, who left his York home to go to the Westminster Abbey Choir boarding school when he was nine, said: "We were the resident choir and had a prominent place. We were at the front of the gallery and had a very good view of the coronation.
"Even to me, as a boy of 13, the Queen looked very young in her ceremonial dress. It was a very exciting time for an impressionable young boy." Mr Howat remained in the Abbey choir until his voice broke at 14. Then he returned to York where he was a pupil at St Peter's school, where his father taught.
An employee at the British Rail offices in York until he retired in 1994, he received a medal for his part in the Coronation.
As well as the Coronation medal, Mr Howat owns a set of Maundy coins for singing at a special Maundy service and he witnessed the lying in state of the Queen's father, George VI.
He said: "I was very lucky. I was in the choir at an incredible historic time."
Do you have special memories of the Coronation? If so, please contact Chris Greenwood on 01904 653051 ext 311.
Updated: 09:45 Friday, May 30, 2003
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