IT was the realisation of a dream held by thousands of people who were determined to preserve the history of the Somerset Light Infantry.
As the Queen Mother walked into Taunton Castle on Tuesday, May 7, 1974, she was honouring the hard work of countless people to honour those who served.
She was in the County Town to officially open the Military Museum, housed in a wing of the famous building, also home to the Museum of Somerset.
READ MORE: More stories on the Royals in SomersetÂ
She was greeted by sunshine for her afternoon visit, which stretched to just over an hour, as well as thousands who turned out to give her a proper Somerset welcome.
Among those who came out to give her a warm welcome was George White, a pupil at the Princess Margaret School in Taunton, who brought along his Polaroid camera to snap the special visitor for his collection of pictures of Royals.
He caught the Queen Mother's eye and she told him she hoped he had caught a good picture.
It turned out, unfortunately, that he had only just caught her in the frame - but the County Gazette came up trumps and presented him with a photograph for his collection.
Before the end of her visit, the Queen Mother - Colonel-in-Chief of the light infantry - received a Royal Salute from the 1st Battalion the Light Infantry, on Castle Green.
Frank Bourne, headteacher at the Princess Margaret School, said afterwards: "The Queen Mother was absolutely charming with the children."
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