Chris Diggle to take part in Queen’s birthday parade Trooping the Colour

Chris Diggle during the Trooping of the Colour rehersals

Former St James’ C of E and Wardle Academy student Chris Diggle will be taking part in the Queen’s birthday parade, the Trooping of the Colour on Saturday (13 June), as he rides Drum Horse Mercury at the front of the Household Cavalry.

Whilst a pupil at St James’ C of E, Chris was taught the flugelhorn by his mum Gwen Smith, who still teaches at the school. Once he moved to Wardle Academy, Chris learnt to play the drums.

He joined the army in 2001 where he completed his basic training before going to the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham. After passing out he joined the Minden Band in 2002, where he stayed until 2006. He then moved to Reme Band until 2012.

He was then asked to go to riding school where he passed out in 2012.

He joined the Lifeguards Mounted Regiment at Hyde Park Barracks in 2012, where he was given the honour of learning to ride the Drum Horses.

Chris has travelled all over the world with the army bands, including making trips to France, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Holland, Tenerife, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Switzerland, India, Russia, Jordan, Pakistan and Canada.

Chris’s Mum, Gwen, said: “This is the start of a very exciting time for Chris as it’s his first year on Drum Horse Mercury and in front of the Queen and the Royal family.

“I will be in attendance on Saturday with my husband Carl and Chris’s sister Chloe, as well as my two sisters and my in-laws. His dad David, his wife and brothers and sisters will also be attending and I am sure we will be extremely proud of this amazing honour and achievement.”

The Trooping of the Colour will see the Queen’s Colour of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards trooped to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday.

The parade will be shown on BBC One at 10.30am on Saturday 13 June.