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Op LONDON BRIDGE – REMEsupport to Her Majesty’s Funeral
Op LONDON BRIDGE – REME support to Her Majesty’s Funeral
On the 8th September 2022, it was with announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had sadly passed. The planning of Her Majesty’s Funeral was titled ‘Op LONDON BRIDGE’. Here, in this Craftsman Article, we wanted to highlight to the wider REME Family, the involvement our people had in paying their final respects to Her Majesty. REME soldiers honour HM The Queen during the Lying-in-State
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(Scribe: Capt Wayne Eynon)
Yeoman Eynon and LCpl Moffat The Lying-in-State inside Westminster Hall
Captain Wayne Eynon (REME) is a member of the Kings Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard and along with the members of the Household Division, Gentlemen at Arms and Gentlemen Archers stood vigil over the Queen 24 hours a day for five days from D+5 to the state funeral on Monday 19th September 22.
Capt Eynon, a REME Reserve officer, has been a member of the Kings Body Guard, formally the Queens Body Guard, since 2020. He has completed various state duties, such as Investitures, Maundy Service, State Visits and Royal Garden Parties but by far the proudest moment of his career was to stand vigil next to the coffin of our late Queen. Capt Eynon Said “just witnessing the emotion and out pouring of grief from members of the public as they streamed past the late Queen will stay with me forever”
Providing medical support for those who stood vigil was 4th Medical Regiment. This included 2 REME soldiers, LCpl’s Ben Moffat and James Gardiner, who were employed as stretcher bearers and general medical support throughout the Lying-in-State. Although not visible on the TV coverage, both LCpl’s Moffat and Gardiner stood in the Great Hall off to a flank ready to provide immediate medical support should it be needed. LCpl Moffat said, “never in my wildest dreams did I think that when I joined the Army that I would be supporting such a prestigious event in our history, it is something that will live with me for the rest of my life”.
Capt Nolan and Lt Walbrook on The Mall Pirbright Drill practice
8 Training Battalion REME – Maj Marc Wilding OC Normandy Coy
Maj M Wilding – Officer Commanding Number 15 Half Company Capt D Nolan – Officer Commanding Number 16 Half Company Lt B Walbrook – Officer Commanding Number 17 Half Company
agencies under the watchful eye of Maj Stu Kitchen (GSU) worked tirelessly to ensure that we were all ready to deploy in good order. Thanks goes to the tailor, Jonathan McIntyre (Scots Guards) and ESS staff (Hannah Woods and Tracey Floyd) who ensured not only that we had the right kit, that it was sized correctly but also how it was that we should wear it! I had no idea how to correctly fit a sword to a sword belt… but I do now. On the sad news of Her Majesty’s passing, those 8 Trg Bn personnel aligned to Op LONDON BRIDGE were swiftly informed of their likely and imminent deployment. The At D+3 the main body deployed to the CA to be met by the Real Life Support team from 27 Regt RLC. RSOI and booking in to accommodation followed whilst the Half Company Commanders Household Division provided immediate direction that D-Day was Fri moved to Wellington Barracks for the initial brief from GOC London 9th September and highlighted the subsequent 10 day plan. With District, Maj Gen Chris Ghika CBE. During his brief the scale and deployment to the Concentration Area (CA) in Pirbright planned for complexity of the task in hand became apparent to all attending. It D+3, the initial few days in Lyneham were spent sizing personnel off took 15 minutes alone to read the list of sub-unit commanders in for their Service Dress and conducting drill refresher training. attendance. He signed off stating that this would be the largest scale Fortunately, we had a clutch of drill instructors, who, under the parade the Army had ever conducted and that the whole of the watchful eye of the Bn Provost, Sgt Steve Hunt, delivered drill lessons World would be watching. No pressure then. on the familiar (rifle drill such as the change arms on the march) to the not so familiar (lower arms reverse). This time was also vital for the three designated Half Company Commanders, Capt Daz Nolan, Lt Brad Walbrook and I as we were all a little bit rusty when it came to sword drill too.
Uniform proved to be a major constraint during this period. Where we had a large contingent warned for BRIDGE, we burnt through a large number of those as uniforms could not be tailored to fit. As such, the list of those personnel to deploy remained fluid throughout but there was no shortage of volunteers ready to join in at late notice. Cfn Cerin Mason, on hearing that we still required female soldiers to form part of the deployment, returned from leave to deploy showing the type of selfless commitment that we would expect from a more seasoned soldier or JNCO.
During this period, support Ensuring our kit is at the highest of standards REME Soldiers lining some of the route
Trying to get our heads down after a long period of rehearsals Cfn Carter Lowered Arms
Maj Wilding and Capt Nolan meet the Chief of Defence Staff
Post brief afforded us the opportunity to walk the ground, vital for Lt Walbrook as it was his first ever visit to London. We would be deploying as three Half Companies, responsible for lining the route of the funeral procession and would be situated on Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Avenue.
For the next six days we threw ourselves into the Drill – Prep Kit – More Drill - Sleep cycle. Thankfully we would not have to learn as many drill movements as the processional troops (who would march in the Reverse Arms position which was new to everyone), however, lining the route meant that we would be stood still, under the gaze of all, for around two hours, no mean feat in itself. We conducted a full-dress rehearsal in London overnight on D+6 (Thurs 15th Sep) which left the Officers underwhelmed with their own performances and concerned that they wouldn’t be able to anticipate the correct words of command (as many would be delivered whilst stood in the Lower Arms Reverse position when looking at your own feet) but further coaching and some clearer direction alleviated concerns.
At 0100hrs of D+10 we set off from the CA for the last time and into London. We were afforded a blue light escort from Police outriders from Wandsworth to Embankment and our assembly destination of MoD Main Building. This was great fun and hugely appreciated by us as every minute saved in travel meant another sleeping on the floor of Main Building! Along the way we got to witness the growing crowds around Parliament Square and Whitehall. The sight of thousands of people added to the excitement and nervousness of the soldiers and officers alike.
At 1030hrs each Half Company assembled outside of MoD Main Building, in preparation for deployment at 1103hrs. That 33 minutes seemed to pass incredibly quickly and soon we
Number 15 Half Company
Numbers 17 and 16 Half Companies
were away, marching through Horse Guards Arch, on to the Parade which was bathed in glorious sunlight. As we hit the gravel on Horse Guards, we were given our first sight of the crowds that had assembled there to see the funeral procession pass; thousands of people all hushed, respectfully but keen to watch us at that point and our involvement.
As the procession groups passed through our position, we were thankful that, in the daylight, it was easier to make out which units were passing by and so, on seeing the Household Cavalry pass, we knew that it was time to Present Arms for the Royal Procession.
And just like that, our part in this most sombre and professional of military displays was over. As we returned to three ranks and turned to march back to Main Building the assembled crowd, who had almost to a person remained in place, broke out into spontaneous applause for our Half Companies. This was an incredible gesture and one that I am sure those participating in will never forget.
Each soldier present performed to the very best of their abilities, acutely aware that they would be conducting their very last duty to The Queen and their very first duty to The King. The NCOs and Craftsmen were a credit to the Corps and for the Officers present; a great honour to command. They did themselves, the unit, the Corps and the Country proud.
4 Medical Regiment LAD
4Medical Regiment were responsible for providing medical support to the thousands of military personnel that were involved in Op LONDON BRIDGE. As part of this medical plan, seven REME personnel from the LAD were chosen to support this huge undertaking. Their job was to provide real life support as stretcher bearers and Battlefield Ambulance drivers to get service personnel needing further medical care to Medical Treatment Facilities (sometimes 200m away). Dressed in ceremonial uniform, their days were long; stood ready at several sites around London including Westminster Hall for the Lying-in-State and rehearsing for the funeral procession well into the early hours of the night. Completely professional, when called into action they helped those in need and maintained the decorum of the event.
Preparation before lining the route for the funeral procession. L-R: LCpl Moffat, Cpl Federico, Cfn Schofield, Cfn Jeanes, Cpl Sinclair
The REME Contingent at HM State Funeral
LCpl Moffat with Yeoman Warders
5 Force Support Battalion REME
Scribe: Maj Woodhouse (Officer Commanding) and Sgt Andison (Platoon Sgt)
Ihad the enormous privilege of commanding 5 FS Battalion REME and 242 Signal Regiment soldiers’ contribution to Op BECOMPASS supporting Her Majesty’s funeral arrangements and ensuring the security of the route to her final resting place. The news of Her Majesty’s passing created a weird atmosphere; there was a palpable sense of loss throughout the Battalion on the Friday following the announcement which was hard to articulate. It was therefore a complete surprise to be called upon to generate a company to support Op BALLAM, then subsequently BECOMPASS, on the Saturday following Her Majesty’s death. Within the Battalion everyone was forward leaning to force generate and hold soldiers on an extremely short notice to move. Togetherness was a theme throughout our time on call and when deployed; the sense of everyone working together from civilian stewards, other military units, and our colleagues in the Police Force to ensure Her Majesty was honoured fittingly was strong. Deployed, 5 FS Bn REME’s subunit was TACOM to 22 Signal Regiment as one of 9 subunits. We were selected for, and given the privilege of, supporting our Police counterparts in providing control and security to Sector 1 of Her Majesty’s final journey through Queen’s gate. 5 FS Bn REME also commanded 242 Company 22 Signals Regiment for this task bringing a total of 164 soldiers and officers deployed. Every soldier and officer I spoke to, felt a sense of duty and pride to be given this honour. Alongside the Police, the REME and Royal Signals soldiers conducted themselves with the highest professionalism and discipline, doing themselves, the REME and more importantly Her Majesty proud.
8 Para Field Coy REME
Scribe: 2Lt Adam Woodyear
On Sunday 18 September, a Sub-Unit from 13 Air Assault Support Regiment RLC (13 AASR) were deployed to London to assist with the Queen’s funeral. 8 Para Field Coy REME provided a Platoon in support of the Regiment’s task, with most trade groups represented by the REME contingent.
After lots of refinement in barracks, we arrived in London to conduct the RSOI package and final phase of preparation, eventually learning our role for the funeral itself.
On the day of the funeral, we deployed to a section of the processional route between Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle. Platoons were given a segment to marshal and 13 AASR worked closely with the West Yorkshire and the London Metropolitan Police throughout to assist them to ensure the safety of the crowd and to provide protection for the procession.
It was impressive to see the amalgamation of Platoons work so competently despite being formed just the week prior. Soldiers interacted with the public in a very positive manner and were humbled to be involved in Her Majesty The Queen’s final journey.
Corps Adjutant and Equerry to HRH The Countess of Wessex
On Saturday 17th September I received a call to attend the State Reception at Buckingham Palace on Sunday 18th September. Tasked to receive HRH The Countess of Wessex and be in attendance with her through the evening was a huge honour, particularly so due to the high-profile guests who had been invited. After an evening reception, the Equerries and AssistantEquerries were called to a briefing for the following days’ details - a highly detailed movement plan to coordinate hundreds of individuals to both Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle for Her Majesty’s Funeral.
An early start for many, I was tasked to coordinate Members of the Royal Family (MRF) from St James’s Palace to Westminster Abbey where upon arrival at Westminster Abbey, Equerries stood immediately next the entrance. At the end of the service, the Equerries escorted their principles outside to their vehicles. MRF embarked the coaches which took them to Windsor Castle and we escorted them in. We were able to watch the Procession in the Equerries Office in Windsor Castle, five of us watched in silence as we had a moment to pause and watch the slow march.
Our next RV was approaching, we escorted the MRF through to the West Door at Windsor Castle and into St George’s Chapel where we took our seats for the committal service. After the service, we all departed the Chapel, individually walking back to the coaches… just to have a final moment to ourselves to reflect on the day.
For completeness, also attending Her Late Majesty’s funeral in Westminster Abbey were:
Maj Gen (Retd) Mitch Mitchell CB MBE – Deputy Grand President of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League.
Maj Gen (Retd) Tim Tyler – Chair of the Royal Star and Garter.
