27 Jul 2005

ROYAL DUTIES FOR THE KINGS FERRY AT THE HEART OF THE NATION’S VE DAY CELEBRATIONS

As the nation remembered its heroes during the official VE Day celebrations in London on 10 July, the Medway-based coach operator The Kings Ferry Travel Group played a key role in transporting members of the Royal family, Government ministers and veterans.


The Kings Ferry’s fleet of luxury coaches were on official duty as hundreds of thousands of patriotic Britons flocked to The Mall to join the Queen and other members of the Royal family in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of hostilities in Europe. Millions more watched the emotion-charged event on television.

The Kings Ferry was asked to provide four of its VIP coaches and 15 luxury executive coaches. The Gillingham-based company also provided its 1929 Leyland Lioness Charabanc which was used by all of the surviving George and Victoria Cross medal holders.



The Kings Ferry managing director Steve O’Neill said their fleet was kept busy throughout the day, and made nearly 100 trips carrying Government ministers and senior civil servants, war veterans, celebrities, military personnel and band members. The coaches were also used to transport some of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace to a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey and included the Duke of York, the Duke of Kent and Prince Edward.


Steve O’Neill said it was “an honour and a privilege” to be chosen as the official coach company for the event. The Kings Ferry was awarded the contract after it was contacted by a representative of the British army during the CONFEX exhibition in London earlier this year.


Steve O’Neill added: “After the bombings in London the previous Thursday, security was extremely tight for the Royal commemoration and we worked very closely with the security services. We have been providing coach transport services for more than 35 years and we have considerable experience of operating in situations where security is of paramount concern.”