Fond memories of Queen's Molineux tour

For former soldier Brian Genner, his memories of meeting the Queen remain vivid 50 years on. He talks to Adam Burling.

Though it is 50 years since Brian Genner met the Queen, he will never forget the moment she walked past him and remembers "just how beautiful she was".

Mr Genner was a full lieutenant in the Fifth Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment when she visited Molineux in Wolverhampton in May, 1962.

She was presenting colours to military units including the Staffordshire Yeomanry, along with the North and South Staffs regiments.

More than 30,000 packed into the Wolves stadium to see the young Queen inspect the troops.

Mr Genner, who was 28 at the time, knelt on one knee and kept a straight back as he held a flag ready for Her Majesty to slowly walk past him.

He said: "It was extremely impressive. The whole occasion was very dignified.

"My outstanding memory is of the Queen being two feet away from me and me seeing just how beautiful she was.

"I was watching her from a short distance away and I could see her tapping her feet, being very relaxed and keeping herself in time with the regimental bands."

Mr Genner, who lives in Maughan Street, Quarry Bank, is a now a well-known figure in the community with his work as chairman of the Friends of Quarry Bank.

He left the army two years later in 1964 after seven years in service, and says meeting the Queen was a highlight of his career.

He added: "The memories are very fresh and fond in my mind.

"I have kept the pictures safe at home and I will never forget it."

Reports at the time said Her Majesty apologised for damaging the pitch at Molineux with her high heels as she arrived at the event.

She made her way onto a specially constructed stage, before heading over to the rows of soldiers who were standing to attention.

Footage from the time shows families and people of all ages waving Union Jack flags and cheering as she makes here way around the pitch.

Mr Genner said: "None of us spoke to her as there was not the opportunity.

"She was there to carry out the formalities, but it was a great experience and one I will cherish," he added.

Earlier that day Her Majesty had stepped off the royal train to be greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Harold Wallace-Copland and Alderman Henry Birch at 10.20am on the number one platform at Wolverhampton's Low Level Station.

She was then driven through the streets thronging with thousands of well-wishers to Molineux, where she was greeted by a huge crowd despite only the North Bank, South Bank and Waterloo Road stands being open.

After the National Anthem wasplayed and before a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, she inspected a parade of the North and South Staffordshire Regiments, whose soldiers formed two lines.

One line stretched the full width of the pitch in front of the North Bank and the other extended right down the ground in front of the Molineux Street Stand.

The Queen watched some of the proceedings from a raised platform, to which a red carpet led from the main stand.

On her arrival at Molineux, she was met by the then-Wolves chairman James Baker and reminded him that she had watched the club play in the 1960 FA Cup final.

After the pageantry at the stadium, she had lunch with dignitaries before going on to Wolverhampton Grammar School, Wednesfield and Walsall. The following day, she went to Coventry Cathedral.