FITTING TRIBUTE
Who has carried the Queen’s coffin? Bearer party and pallbearers explained
THE public and celebrities alike have been calling for gongs for the eight men who carried the Queen's coffin.
Here's what we know about the bearer party - including the eight pallbearers given the honour on the day.
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Who were the pallbearers for the Queen's funeral?
The bearer party was formed of soldiers from the Queen’s Company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Eight of the party of 12 were seen carrying the Queen's coffin into Westminster Abbey and out again in military precision on Monday, September 19, 2022..
Here's what we know about the pallbearers and bearer party:
Major Dean Jones
The team was led by Company Sergeant Major Dean Jones, of Long Eaton, Derbyshire.
Married father-of-one Jones walked ahead of Her Majesty’s oak coffin throughout the day.
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He has completed two tours of Afghanistan and Iraq and met the Queen on a number of occasions.
Mum Gaynor posted on Facebook: "Cannot put into words how proud myself and Dean’s family are, of all the lads.
"He’s worked incredibly hard for this."
Guardsman Fletcher Cox
Major Jones' team included 19-year-old Fletcher Cox from Jersey, who was at the back of the coffin.
Cox was part of his school’s Army Cadet Force and in 2018 was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s medal, the highest honour a Jersey cadet can receive.
He left the Channel Islands when he was just 16 to go to a military training college in the UK.
Staff sergeant with Jersey’s Army Cadet Force, Laura Therin said: "We’re all so incredibly proud of Fletcher and his achievements.
" He always was a very organised young man who lived and breathed Cadets."
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Lance Sergeant Jake Orlowski
Lance Sergeant Orlowski is a former London Regiment soldier serving with the Grenadier Guards
Dog lover Orlowski walked in front of Cox.
Lance Corporal Tony Flynn
Lance Corporal Tony Flynn is originally from Kent and attended MidKent College and Holmesdale School in Snodland.
He was praised by the school for his "flawless" duty.
Flynn, who lives with his wife in Aldershot, Hants, is being redeployed to Iraq after his service for the Queen at her state funeral.
His father Brian Flynn, from Folkestone, said: "My son did me very proud today, he’s doing very well."
Lance Sergeant Alex Turner
Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, 28, also acted as pallbearer on the historic occasion.
Turner was the bearer at the front of the coffin, responsible for the transference of the coffin from shoulder to catafalque, alongside Guardsman David Sanderson.
Guardsman James Patterson
Guardsman James Patterson was at the back of the coffin.
Bodybuilder Patterson likes to flexes his muscles in Facebook snaps - with his strength helping in carrying the lead-lined 500lb (230kg) coffin.
Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths
Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths is a keen surfer,
He has shared a photo online of him carrying the casket alongside pictures of him surfboarding.
Guardsman Luke Simpson
Luke Simpson, from Selston, Nottinghamshire, was also among the proud 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards carrying the coffin.
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson praised Luke and a man referred to as Aaron, posting: "Ashfield Lads. Luke and Aaron doing their duty and making their families and the whole of Ashfield feel incredibly proud. Serving Queen and country."
Simpson’s dad shared an image of his son on social media, saying: “We had a tear watching but they’ve done us proud.”
Guardsman David Sanderson
David Sanderson from Morpeth, Northumberland, was at the front of the eight pallbearers.
He has served in the King’s Guard.
Sanderson's proud grandfather Lee Dixon, praised his grandson on Facebook, picking him out as the "blond haired one at the front, on the left of the coffin".
He said: ";Myself and my daughter, son-in-law, and every one of our family are very proud of David and what he has achieved, for himself and our country.”
Second Lieutenant Freddie Hobbs
At the rear of the bearer party was Second Lieutenant Freddie Hobbs from West Sussex, who was issuing the group’s commands.
Hobbs also took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Hobbs’ dad Francis, a retired Grenadier Guards Lieutenant Colonel liked a Facebook comment that the heroes “shouldn’t have to pay for drinks for months”.
How were the pallbearers selected for the Queen's funeral?
The Grenadier Guards are the most senior of the Foot Guards regiments and have a proud association with the monarchy since its establishment in 1656.
The soldiers that carried the Queen's coffin were specially chosen for the role.
According to the Army website, the "12 very best soldiers" were selected for the bearer party at the Queen's funeral.
Traditionally soldiers of the Queen’s Company had to be more than six feet tall (almost 1.83m), and the Queen’s Company Stick was used as the minimum measurement applicants were expected to reach.
Many of the men were deployed on operations in Iraq on the day the Queen died but flew back upon hearing of her death.
Former British Army soldier Major Adrian Weale told the PA news agency: “They became the Queen’s Company immediately after the death of George VI and the Queen has been commander ever since.
“It’s their role to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen’s Company until King Charles decides otherwise.
“Their duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch.”
How much did the Queen's coffin weigh?
The Queen's coffin, which was made thirty years ago, is thought to weigh anywhere between 250kg and 317kg.
This is due to it being made from oak with brass fittings and lead lining – which is used to slow decomposition.
The concept of lead lining has been a royal tradition since the Victorian era.
Sealing a body air-tight inside a coffin prevents moisture from entering the coffin and was important for above-ground resting.
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What has been said about the pallbearers?
The work of the eight pallbearers was highlighted by people watching the events as they took place in Westminster and Windsor.
Former head of the Army Lord Richard Dannatt has suggested that the pallbearers should be rewarded for their role.
He said: “They ought to be recognised.
“The Royal Victorian Order is for personal service to the sovereign and I would suggest you can’t get more personal than carrying the sovereign’s body throughout all the funeral services.”
Tory MP Tom Hunt said: “I can’t imagine how hard and emotionally challenging it must have been to have carried Her Late Majesty’s coffin just once.
“They’ve done it time and time again this week. With billions watching. They’ve done Her Late Majesty and the country proud."
The Sun's Piers Morgan led the thanks and praise for the eight young men on social media.
He said: "These magnificent 1st Battalion Grenadier Guard pallbearers have been done their Queen and country proud. Incredible job under hugely stressful conditions."
Presenter Lorraine Kelly said: "These lads were faultless - such a difficult duty carried out impeccably."
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TV astrologist Russell Grant tweeted: "I know people will say it’s their duty but the eight pallbearers have been perfect in every way. They each deserve a medal."
And the British public agreed with one saying they "should never have to buy their own pints again" with another posting "they deserve to be retired on full pensions with knighthoods for what they’ve done here".
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