Breeze recalls 2014 visit with pride

For Breeze Galbraith, chair of the Coleraine Royal British Legion Women’s section and Poppy organiser for Coleraine, it was a case of deja vu last week as she recalled meeting The Queen during her last visit to the borough in 2014.

Back then Breeze presented Her Majesty with the wreath which was laid at the Coleraine War Memorial at the conclusion of the Royal visit.

And she was thrilled to be among the Group 10 British Legion members invited along to the unveiling and dedication of the Robert Quigg VC statue in Bushmills on Tuesday morning.

“It’s lovely to be here, it’s just very poignant,” said Breeze who described the act of remembrance as “the essence” of the British Legion.

“Unfortunately some people are forgotten and they are not remembered but it’s lovely to have this today.

“My mother and father aren’t here any more and they would have been so proud and honoured.”

And the Coleraine woman - who described the Queen as ‘gracious and lovely’ when she met her in Coleraine two years ago - said that that occasion will live long in her memory.

“It was really a great honour. I still remember it as if it was just today, I’ll never forget it.

“It was a wonderful day and it was a privilege to meet Her Majesty and Prince Phillip.”

Breeze has been a member of the Legion for 12 years now and is one of its stalwarts locally but it’s days like the visit of the monarch that make all her work worthwhile.