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Five members of the military fainted while on duty at the National Thanksgiving Service during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Personnel from the Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, Household Cavalry and Coldstream Guards collapsed while stationed at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday morning.

Two members of the military guard of honour - one from the Royal Air Force Regiment and another from the Royal Marines - appeared to lose consciousness within half an hour of each other as they lined the steps up to the Great West Door waiting for the royal family to arrive.

The member of the Royal Air Force, who was stationed to the far left of the door, fainted and fell flat on his back on the steps before regaining consciousness.

The other man, who was standing closer to the Great West Door, momentarily appeared to lose consciousness approximately 20 minutes later, stumbling on the top steps before regaining his balance and being taken under the columns of the cathedral.

They were able to be escorted on foot away from the steps, despite stretchers being brought out.

A Ministry of Defense spokesman said: "During today's Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving, we can confirm five military personnel fainted while on duty.

"The safety of our Armed Forces is our top priority. All five individuals received treatment at the scene and none were transferred to hospital."

It was a very warm and sunny day in London, with temperatures hovering at around 20C at the start of the service at 11am.

Five members of the military fainted while on duty at the National Thanksgiving Service during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Personnel from the Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, Household Cavalry and Coldstream Guards collapsed while stationed at St Paul's Cathedral on Friday morning. Two members of the military guard of honour - one from the Royal Air Force Regiment and another from the Royal Marines - appeared to lose consciousness within half an hour of each other as they lined the steps up to the Great West Door waiting for the royal family to arrive. The member of the Royal Air Force, who was stationed to the far left of the door, fainted and fell flat on his back on the steps before regaining consciousness. The other man, who was standing closer to the Great West Door, momentarily appeared to lose consciousness approximately 20 minutes later, stumbling on the top steps before regaining his balance and being taken under the columns of the cathedral. They were able to be escorted on foot away from the steps, despite stretchers being brought out. A Ministry of Defense spokesman said: "During today's Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving, we can confirm five military personnel fainted while on duty. "The safety of our Armed Forces is our top priority. All five individuals received treatment at the scene and none were transferred to hospital." It was a very warm and sunny day in London, with temperatures hovering at around 20C at the start of the service at 11am.

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[–] • 4 pts

I saw this same situation happen over and over when I was a young Marine. There would be some event, similar to the one mentioned, where all units had to show up and stand in unit formation for the ceremony. The highest in command for the event (Commandant, Base Commander, Division Commander, whatever) would specify what time everyone had to be on deck and in formation on the Parade Ground. Then TPTB, at every level up the chain of command, wanting to make sure everyone was there on time, would move the time up fifteen or twenty minutes, you know so we wouldn't be late. So, we would end up standing in formation, in our tight fitting dress uniforms, that were especially tight around the neck due to the neck tie two or three hours early. No, I am not exaggerating. Young healthy Marines would start to pass out every single time. It never changed and I doubt that it has changed to this day.

[–] • 0 pt

Yeah i remember a Queens birthday Parade where the Local Military camp had about 500 Soldiers come out to one of the town squares. They turned up at about 6 or 7 am - The parade started at 10 am - and they all had to stand in formation and at attention the entire time. I turned up early bout 9 am ( from memory i was working Construction down the road so it was a good as any excuse for all of us to go watch), and someone in the crowd had started a thing where if any of the Troop moved, jiggled, stretched their leg etc - everyone in the crowd would point at them and give them friendly jeers until the next poor guy. Good times ....

[–] • 0 pt

So, it's the same in militaries around the world. I figured as much...

[–] • 0 pt

Yep, even down here at the bottom of the south pacific.