Rosemary’s Royal reminiscence

HIGHLY decorated ANZAC, Major Augustus J. Oates, DSO, MC, ED, MID, had been chosen to welcome The Queen and The Duke upon their arrival at Kanawalla Airfield (Hamilton Airport) in 1954, because of his distinguished war service. However, Major Oates deferred this privilege to his then eight-year-old daughter, Rosemary (now Rosemary Cameron) pictured holding a photo of herself on the dais curtseying before The Queen. The portrait on the left is Rosemary with her father Major Oates on the day of the Royal couple’s visit. Photo: GLENN GUY.

By Lizzie Hallam

October 05, 2022 | 4:00 PM

ROSEMARY Cameron was one of the luckiest girls in Hamilton on February 26, 1954, when she experienced the privilege of a lifetime and met Her Majesty, The Queen, Elizabeth II, and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.

But in fact, it was Mrs Cameron’s father, the highly decorated ANZAC, Major Augustus J. Oates, DSO, MC, ED, MID, from Cavendish, who had been selected to welcome The Queen and The Duke upon their arrival at Kanawalla Airfield.