GONG THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
Brits demand Queen’s pallbearers be given gongs for flawlessly carrying ‘weight of world’ on their shoulders
A GRATEFUL nation called for the Queen’s pall-bearers to be awarded gongs — for flawlessly carrying the “weight of the world” on their shoulders.
Hundreds showered tributes on the Grenadier Guards who impressed millions as they shouldered Her Majesty’s lead-lined coffin on her spectacular final procession.
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The soldiers, some teenagers, from the elite Queen’s Company carried the 36st (500lb) casket for 34 minutes after flying back from Iraq to play their historic role.
The pall-bearers ranged in rank from guardsman to lance sergeant and were picked to be the same height so the coffin stayed flat.
They walked at exactly 75 steps a minute in boots soled with rubber instead of the usual metal studs to reduce risk of slipping.
Among them were David Sanderson and Fletcher Cox, both 19, and Luke Simpson.
The bearers, said to have been intensely nervous before their work began, were led by Afghanistan war veteran Dean Jones, 45, who walked in front of the coffin.
Lt Col James Shaw, the guards officer in charge of the funeral ceremonies, admitted he had never seen “such nervous people” as they waited for the Queen’s coffin.
He said: “They carried the responsibility of the nation on their shoulders. It was the most important job which had to be perfect and it was.
“They were outstanding from the first when Her Majesty arrived back at Buckingham Palace all the way through to Westminster Abbey and St George’s Chapel.”
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Former Army commander General Lord Richard Dannatt suggested they could be awarded the Royal Victorian Order. 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.”
Sandhurst instructor Dean was hailed by his home town of Long Eaton, Derbys.
A post on a local social media site read: “We spotted one of our own Long Eaton boys, Dean Jones, lead Her Majesty’s coffin pallbearers with complete calmness and total professionalism. Long Eaton salutes you Sir.”
His mum, Gaynor, wrote of the dad of one and the bearers: “So proud of them all. Job well done.”
Les Dixon, the grandfather of bearer David, said: “We’re so very proud of him and what he has achieved, for himself and our country as well as all the other guardsmen. They all did very well.”
'Job well done'
Directly behind David was guardsman Luke, from Selston, Notts.
Selston Football Club wrote on Facebook: “Respect to you Luke Simpson, flawless under pressure with the whole world watching on.
“You have done your country, village, family and friends proud.”
Laura Therin, a staff sergeant with Jersey’s Army Cadet Force, praised Fletcher, who carried an end of the coffin. She said his former instructors were “incredibly proud”.
She added: “We were quite astounded. Seeing him wasn’t something any of us expected.”
It came amid an outpouring of admiration on social media.
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Dawn Hogg tweeted: “These pall bearers deserve a medal. They are national heroes in my eyes.”
Michelle Hedley said they “held the weight of the world on their shoulders”.
She went on: “I hope they can now rest knowing just how beautiful a service they performed and that Her Majesty the Queen would be proud.”
Sun columnist Piers Morgan said: “It’s hard to imagine a greater honour or responsibility than bearing the body of our greatest ever monarch to her final resting place.
“These guards did a magnificent, faultless job under enormous pressure and should absolutely be given a medal.”
TV host Fern Britton said the bearers were “immaculate and gentle.”
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Olympic gold medal rower Sir Matthew Pinsent added: “Bearer party at ease. Excellent work.”
An Army spokesman said: “The Armed Forces played a proud role in Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral and they delivered excellence in every possible way.”
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