IN an emotional farewell to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 39 ADF members, along with troops from Canada and New Zealand, led the Queen’s funeral procession through the streets of London.
LS Cameron Green, from Australia’s Federation Guard, said he was nervous, excited and humbled by the experience.
“We worked so hard together over the past week to make sure we got this right. I’d like to think the Queen would have been pleased,” he said.
The contingent took up its place of honour after the Queen’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by heads of state from across the world, including Australia’s Governor-General, GEN (retd) David Hurley, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Senior representatives of ADF organisations with which the Queen had a special relationship, as well as the Head of Australian Defence Staff in London, BRIG Grant Mason, also attended the service.
“Being in the Abbey for the service was a deeply moving experience for all of us and one that I doubt we will ever forget,” BRIG Mason said.
The Brigadier, along with the senior officers, took his place in the march, ahead of the State Gun Carriage carrying the Queen’s coffin, as an estimated audience of 4 billion people around the world watched.
As the 3000 military personnel taking part were gathering at Wellington Barracks, CAPT Joshua Downs felt the weight of history.
“There was palpable electricity among all of us. We knew this would be a special moment in time,” CAPT Downs said.
LACW Carla Russell said the gravity of the situation didn’t hit her until the Prince and Princess of Wales made a special visit to the Pirbright Army Centre last Friday to thank the Commonwealth forces for being a part of the funeral procession.
“Meeting the couple was a great honour and they were so generous with their time,” LACW Russell said.
“But when Prince William told us that he felt the Queen would be watching on, it really struck me that this was real.”
The ADF personnel trained every day from the moment they arrived, including a full dress rehearsal in the early hours of the Thursday morning before the funeral.
The Australians joined a Commonwealth platoon of more than 100 personnel from Canada and New Zealand.
The Commonwealth contingent was led by a mounted detachment of Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The contingent slowmarched along the route of almost 5km with officers’ drawn swords reversed.
The Australian contingent represented each of the services, coming from Australia’s Federation Guard and the special relationship organisations, where the Queen had held honorary military appointments.
The Commander of the Australian contingent for the march, CDRE Ray Leggatt, paid tribute to those taking part.
“The Queen was such an inspiring person with a deep affection for the Australian Defence Force and will be greatly missed,” CDRE Leggatt said.
The men and women who marched today honoured Her Majesty’s memory and completed their final duty to the Queen in an exceptional manner.
“They have done Australia proud.”
