Wiltshire County Standard Bearer proud to be part of the Queen’s funeral

Kevin Toft, who lives in Bishops Cannings, is a member of Seend Royal British Legion(RBL) and is a Wiltshire County Standard Bearer, says it was an honour and a privilege to have been chosen to be part of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The RBL were instructed to supply a ceremonial contingent of standards at the cenotaph in Whitehall to salute the coffin and gun carriage as it passed. Kevin commented, “It was the most unbelievable and proudest week of my life.”

Kevin spent a week in London preparing for the funeral. As one of 72 RBL Standard Bearers he was required to rehearse through the night – starting at midnight and ending with breakfast at 7am. Amanda Bearryman, a Wiltshire County Standard Bearer and Wiltshire Women’s Section Standard Bearer, was also part of the group. On the day of the funeral the group formed outside the MOD building and marched in two ranks to the Cenotaph as the waiting crowds watched and applauded.

Kevin describes the day – “Once halted and turned to the left to face the procession route we were given “eyes right” and spaced ourselves perfectly in front of packed crowds who had been getting into position overnight and to a viewing public estimated at 7.5 billion people watching our every move from their TV sets at home. 

To say being proud is an understatement with the hairs on the back of our necks standing on end as we carried out our part in this once in a lifetime experience. 

Our part concluded after dipping our standards to marching bands, the passing columns of troops from all arms of our forces. During the Act of Homage, we glanced as the Queen’s coffin passed followed by a salute to our new King, His Majesty King Charles III and the State Cars that followed. 

We marched off parade shortly after they passed on their way to Windsor Castle.  A reception back at our hotel followed where we toasted our late Queen and the New King in the traditional way with a glass of Port. There followed an address by our National President Lt Gen James Bashall CB, CBE who presented every standard bearer with one of the highest awards of recognition by the RBL, a National Certificate of Appreciation which I now display proudly at home.”