An old soldier met the Queen while on parade yesterday.

It was not the type of parade 96-year-old George Bascome stood in as a First World War artilleryman, mind you.

Rather he took his place proudly in the line-up of patients at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The Queen may have thought she had done and seen most things in life.

But Mr. Bascome, from St. George's, had a fair few tales to tell her -- particularly about his wartime experiences.

He told her how King George V cast his eye over him while inspecting the troops in France in 1917.

And he recalled some of his exploits on the Western front as the British and French pushed against the Germans.

The Queen listened intently as the Island's only surviving First World War veteran spoke.

Mr. Bascome, who took part in fierce fighting at the Belgium town of Ypres, was in the hospital's Perry Ward after suffering breathing problems.

Earlier the Queen, accompanied by director of nursing and patient services Mrs. Lucille Parker, visited patients in Cooper Ward, pausing to chat to some.

Among them was 88-year-old Ms Inez Furbert, of Friswell's Hill, Pembroke.

When the Queen stopped at her bed, an alert Ms Furbert noticed she had a heavily bandaged left arm.

Despite her own health problems, Ms Furbert asked: "What have you done to your arm?'' The Queen told her she had hurt herself when she fell recently.

Ms Furbert then gently scolded her: "Oh, you ought to be more careful.'' Seventy-year-old Mrs. Myrtle Zuill, of Devonshire, who lost her sight through diabetes, was thrilled when the Queen shook her hand.

The Queen asked her how long she had been blind, and Mrs. Zuill replied: "About a year.'' Mrs. Zuill added: "I'm really happy to meet you.'' Later she told The Royal Gazette : "It was a very brief meeting, and I was overwhelmed.

"She shook my hand, and it was a very pleasant surprise.'' The Queen also made Ms Sarah (Sally) Wilkinson's day by remarking: "How nice you look.'' Eighty-three-year-old Ms Wilkinson, of Somerset, has been in hospital with foot problems brought on by diabetes.

And the Royal remark was just the boost she needed to get her back on her feet.

Ms Wilkinson was equally impressed by the Queen.

"She looked very nice. She's very sweet,'' Ms Wilkinson said later.

Mrs. Cara Whitecross, 84, of Smith's, was also surprised by how well the Queen looked.

"She looked far better in real life.'' The Queen asked her: "How long have you been in hospital?'' Mrs. Whitecross replied: "I have been here five weeks, and was in hospital in October last year.'' She said afterwards: "I really enjoyed me day. I didn't know what to expect.

"But it really made me happy to see her. She is always so happy herself, even though she has been through a lot in one way and another.'' Mrs. Parker told how interested the Queen had been in the hospital, and patients.

"I think she is really a sensitive and caring person.'' Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, who was in the Royal entourage at the hospital, was also fulsome in his praise.

"I am a monarchist, and I think the Queen is lovely. She is just tremendous.

"She carries out her responsibilities with aplomb and integrity. She is the best role model you could wish for.'' HANDS ON EXPERIENCE -- The Queen shakes the hand of Mrs. Myrtle Zuill, who lost her sight through diabetes. She is accompanied by hospital director of nursing and patient services Mrs. Lucille Parker.