The Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (centre) presents Gunner Stark (right) with a CDS coin for her selfless actions in getting off from her plane just before it was going to take off for Cyprus.
Image Crown Copyright 2022 Sgt Donald Todd RLC.
During the preparation for Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, took time to visit the London Military Operations Centre (LMOC) in Wellington Barracks and was escorted by Major General Chris Ghika, the General Officer Commanding London District.
Whilst there, the CDS also visited soldiers from the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery and congratulated them on their professionalism and efficiency. He was particularly impressed with Gunner Hiller Stark who, at the time Queen Elizabeth’s death was announced, was sat on a plane about to leave for Cyprus. Gunner Stark got off of the plane, cancelling her leave plans and returned back to camp to aid in the preparations for Operation London Bridge.
Please see the range of pictures below detailing the meticulous planning and detail in preparation for HM the Queen’s funeral. All images MOD Crown Copyright 2022.
Image of Yeomen Guards taking an well earned rest after being on Guard vigil around the Queen’s coffin while she is lying in state at Westminster Palace in London.
Armed forces maintain a constant, 24-hour vigil around the Queen’s coffin while she is Lying-in-State at the Westminster Palace in London.
The Armed forces are all making preparations and rehearsing for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Which will take place on Monday the 19th September 2022 in London and will conclude in Windsor Castle.
A farrier from Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery places a hot horseshoe onto the hoof of a horse to test its size in preparation of Queen Elizabeths II procession.
Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery (KTRHA) have moved to Regents Park Barracks in London in preparation for Queen Elizabeths II procession.
Whilst there, they are preparing all the horses by placing new shoes on them and grooming them. They are also cleaning, painting and polishing all of the equipment that will be used for the during the procession.
On the day of the procession, KTRHA will be in both Hyde Park and Windsor Castle doing Minute Guns where a round is fired for every minute the Queen is being transported from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will be lying in state until her funeral on the 19/09/22.
Brigadier Andrew Wright (lcentre-left) talks the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (centre), through the multiple different roles and responsibilities that the LMOC (London Military Operations Centre) do.
Image of Sgt Marks, Coldstream Guards (left-right); Sgt Rowe, Scots Guards; LSgt Few, Grenadier Guards and GDSM Samuel, Irish Guards.
Foot Guard centralised tailors at Wellington barracks in London, are working hard to ensure everyone is looking perfect for the Queens funeral.
The Armed forces are all making preparations and rehearsing for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Which will take place on Monday the 19th September 2022 in London and will conclude in Windsor Castle.
Image of Armed Forces personnel seen here preparing for guard vigil at Westminster Palace in London.
The Armed forces maintain a constant, 24-hour vigil around the Queen’s coffin while she is Lying-in-State at the Westminster Palace in London.
The Armed forces are all making preparations and rehearsing for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Which will take place on Monday the 19th September 2022 in London and will conclude in Windsor Castle.
Image of Service personnel at Wellington Barracks are seen here readying themselves for the Queens procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where she will Lie-in-State.
On the afternoon of Wednesday 14th September 2022, the Coffin of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was taken on a Gun Carriage of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall where The Queen will Lie-in-State.
The Procession included Dismounted detachments of The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. A Guard of Honour at Queen’s Gardens was made up of soldiers from 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.
Minute Guns were fired by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery from Hyde Park as The Coffin was borne to the Palace of Westminster.
The King’s Life Guard of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment turned out mounted in the Front Yard of Horse Guards and gave a Royal Salute to The Coffin as it passed through Horse Guards Arch until the Procession left Front Yard and moved on to Whitehall. The trumpeter will not sound at this location.
The Band of the Scots Guards and the band of the Grenadier Guards will play funeral marches and including a time beater Colour Sergeant Neil Brocklehurst from the Band of the Scots Guards with a black draped drum (muffled) will beat the pace of 75 paces per minute.
The Bearer Party and Escort Party was made up from soldiers of The Queen’s Company, from 1st Battalion of The Grenadier Guards. This is the Sovereign’s Company of which she uniquely held the position of Company Commander.
Sailors from across the Royal Navy have come to HMS Collingwood, in Fareham, Hampshire to conduct State Ceremonial Training in preparation for HM Queen Elizabeths II Funeral.
