Honouring service: A family’s journey at the Remembrance Parade
Former Army nurse Manetta Anderson-McIntosh and her mother joined QARANC members for a poignant and moving Remembrance Parade in Central London last November.
Attending Remembrance Parades has been a cherished tradition in my family for as long as I can remember. With both parents having served in the Royal Air Force (RAF), although they left the service before I was born, my father would still take part in our local parade, as a scout leader marching with his troop, or as a veteran proudly bearing the standard for the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA). My mother, siblings and I would always watch from the sidelines, filled with pride, knowing how important it is to honour those who have made profound sacrifices for their country and to recognise the courage of service personnel, past and present. My brother chose to join the RAF at 17, dedicating 35 years to his career, but I charted my own course and enlisted in the Army as an Other Rank in 2003 after completing my nursing training at Stirling University. I commissioned in 2006, during this time the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps (QARANC) was heavily involved in operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.
My most memorable tour was Op Herrick 2007/8, marked by harrowing experiences, such as caring for the first triple amputee to survive their injuries, and working in the last tented hospital facility in Afghanistan. Yet, among all these memories, the Remembrance Parade held at Camp Bastion stands out. For the first time, I found myself commemorating not just the fallen from previous conflicts, but also those injured in recent days—reminding me that the significance of Remembrance Parades had evolved for me.
Days after this I met my brother in Kandahar as he was there with the Tornado Sqn, whilst we enjoyed a coffee and donut from Tim Hortons on the boardwalk, it hit home how difficult it must have been for our parents having us both out there at the same time.
Sadly, in November 2022, my father passed away, and several weeks later my mother was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. The news was a shock coming so soon after losing our dad, but her resilience shone through—she responded well to treatment and resolved to make the most of her time. With a 'bucket list' of sorts in hand, we have rallied to help her tick off as many experiences as possible. A lifelong Wimbledon enthusiast, she was treated to a spectacular day at the tournament by my sister. Knowing her wish to parade at the Cenotaph with fellow veterans, and with my own transition to veteran status in 2023, I took it upon myself to try to make this dream a reality.
My mother’s service as an RAF telecommunications operator took her as far as Singapore, where she was among the first to receive news of President Kennedy’s assassination. She had started out as a nurse before joining the RAF and, after raising her family, returned to work as an auxiliary nurse until she retired. She also organised poppy collections in our town for 10 years, raising thousands for the Royal British Legion.
To help her fulfil her wish, I reached out to Tracey Buckingham at the QARANC Association, who, knowing of my mother’s health, was incredibly supportive and made the arrangements for us to parade together as part of the QARANC contingent.
On Sunday, 9 November, we set off early for the big day, determined to make it special. In true military fashion, we hurried to wait, but waiting in the parade area of Horse Guards, surrounded by veterans from all services, watching people meet with comrades from days gone by, was truly special. My mother was in a wheelchair, which should have made the experience easier—though I quickly realised I could have used a little more training, nearly losing her to the cobbles at Horse Guards Arch!
Thankfully, the rest of the day went smoothly. We waited as the columns were called forward to march, but the weather was kind and the atmosphere among the participants was warm and welcoming.
Both my mother and I are deeply grateful to the QARANC Association and the team on parade for making my mother feel truly included. Sharing this experience with her was a once-in-a-lifetime moment, made possible only by the generosity and support of Tracey and the QARANC Association.
For us, the Remembrance Parade is more than a commemoration—it is a personal journey of honour, gratitude, and family legacy.
Article on pages 16-17 of The Gazette (Spring Edition 2026)
