My part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession

Scribe: Michelle Hall

At the age of 18, I joined the then Territorial Army (TA) and served with 133 Corps Troop Workshop REME (V) in Ashford. When a change of career meant I could no longer continue with my TA commitment, I joined the Ashford Branch of The REME Association as it allowed me to maintain contact with those I had served with.

I now work as a Welfare Officer with the WRVS, a Branch of the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS). After 4 years in Paderborn, Germany, I am now based at the Army Training Centre at Pirbright. I was recently given the incredible honour of being one of four representatives of WRVS in the Civilian Services Contingent for Her Majesty’s funeral procession. It was a very surreal experience. One day I was sitting in my office and the next I was whisked away to London to begin rehearsals!

The 88 civilians taking part in the procession were put up in two hotels in London for the week. I arrived in London on the Wednesday afternoon and was informed there would be a full-dress rehearsal that night. I was issued with the official WRVS hat and cravat which, along with my black leather gloves, made my usual uniform more formal. That evening we were taken to Wellington Barracks at 2200hrs and finally formed up to begin our march through the city at 0230hrs. While we were nervously waiting it was interesting to chat to troops from commonwealth countries who were also taking part in the procession. And what an experience it was! Marching past

The night rehearsal Michelle meeting JJ Chalmers

Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in the early hours of the morning is something I never imagined I would do. Even at that time of night there were people lining the route to watch! Thankfully, the drill skills I had learnt during my TA days, soon came back to me.

After the rehearsal, we were given the rest of Thursday off to rest. Then each morning, for the next three days, we were transported to ATC Pirbright for drill lessons (as many of the civilians taking part had no previous military experience) and more rehearsals. We even got a glimpse of the new Prince and Princess of Wales, when they came to visit the Commonwealth troops (but sadly not the civilians). After our final full rehearsal on Sunday, we were as ready as we could ever be. I doubt anyone got much sleep that night, especially as we had such an early start the next day.

At 0400hrs on Monday everyone was in their best dress uniform ready to be taken to Wellington Barracks. There was an incredible atmosphere, with everyone visibly anxious about what we were about to do. The press was everywhere and I got to chat to JJ Chalmers (Invictus Games medalist and former Royal Marine) between his broadcasts. I told him that my Mum and I had been at the 1st Invictus Games and had watched him in his races and he agreed to having his photo taken with me.

As the civilian contingent was not part of the initial procession to Westminster, we had the chance to watch all the troops leave the barracks. At 1030hrs we formed up ready for the quick march to Westminster Abbey, where we would join the funeral procession as it left Westminster Abbey. As soon as we turned out of the barrack gates there were people lining the streets. It was incredible. We arrived at Westminster Abbey and waited for Her Majesty to be placed on the gun carriage. The memory of the crown jewels glinting in the sun will stay with me forever.

At that point we were towards the end of the procession. We slow marched behind the gun carriage and all I could do was stare at the head in front of me so as not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of people in the streets. It was an incredibly proud moment; particularly as the crowds were applauding as we marched by. When we reached Wellington Arch we waited until Her Majesty set off on her final journey to Windsor Castle and then it was our turn to be at the front of the parade as we quick marched back to Wellington Barracks. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of such a historical event and will never forget the experience.