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This stave was carried by Frank Corner, who was Deputy High Commissioner in London from 1952 to 1958, during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation on 2 June 1953.
Frank Corner was appointed a Gold Staff Officer for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Gold Staff Officers have played a key role at coronations since that of George III in I76I. Traditionally, they have been appointed by successive Dukes of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshals, to act as ushers responsible for admission and seating of the guests at Westminster Abbey. The Gold Staff Officers were drawn from around the Commonwealth, representing the reflecting the dual domestic and international nature of the event. At Queen Elizabeth's Coronation in 1953, 400 Gold Staff Officers were appointed to assist 8000 guests.
"It was a huge theatrical presentation. They worked on it for 15 months after the king died... I can't compare it with anything that's happerned since." Frank Corner
Frank Corner described the position of Gold Staff Officer as "a grand title for a gentleman usher". His role was to usher representatives from different countries to their seats in Westminister Abbey. He had to be at Westminister Abbey by 5am in the morning, as the guests began to arrive from 6am.
The Gold Staff Officers were on their feet for 9 hours.