Coronation Day: Meet the 97-year-old veteran who took part in Queen Elizabeth II's crowning

Commander Verge, who lives in Guiseley, was presented with the Colour by the Queen Mother in March 1953 while he was serving in Plymouth, and soon faced the daunting task of standing for more than nine hours on Coronation day in full vantage point at Admiralty Arch.

For weeks leading up to the day, he trained himself to stand still for long periods of time without food or drink, as the First Sea Lord Rhoderick McGrigor had decreed that colour officers were not allowed even a five minute comfort break during the day’s proceedings.

Commander Verge said: “We had to go through a routine to keep blood flowing through our veins so we didn’t faint - wiggling our toes and raising our heels.

“Eventually, the great day arrived. We were called at three o’clock in the morning and there was a big notice to say Everest had been climbed by Tensing and Hillary, and that was a tremendous morale boost.

“I had breakfast with half a cup of tea, and that was the last thing I had until eight o’clock that evening.

“We lined up either side of the road by Admiralty Arch. In the fullness of the time, various people in the procession to the Abbey started.

“I was very amused to get my own back on the First Sea Lord who had stopped me having anything to eat or spending a penny. He was riding a horse which was giving him considerable trouble, so we all had a good laugh about that.”

Commander Verge has clear memories of the moment he saw the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in the Gold State Coach.

“When the Queen and Duke approached, the Queen pointed out the Colour and they both looked at it.

“She had obviously been well briefed. It was a very great honour to be there, I must say.”

Commander Verge also remembers a humorous moment when a lady in the crowd took umbrage that he wasn’t allowed to eat.

“The Royal Army Service Corps came to give out packets of sandwiches. They handed them to those on my left and right, saluted the Colour and then passed by.

“A dear old lady in the crowd behind me shouted out ‘Oi! What about him with the flag? What about his dinner?’”

Commander Verge was proudly watched by his wife Alma, who had secured a ticket in the stands. Alma died 12 years ago, and the couple had two daughters, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

“The atmosphere was fantastic,” he remembers of the day. “As we marched off, the crowd gave us three cheers which was absolutely fantastic.

“The advice I’d offer to troops taking part this Saturday: train hard and keep your eyes on the ball.”