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Soldiers who acted as pallbearers for Queen’s coffin at her funeral will fly back to Iraq to fight ISIS

The soldiers were praised for doing the job perfectly at the Queen's funeral, and their families were proud of what they did for 'Queen and country'

BY ANJANA PV

UPDATED SEP 25, 2022

The eight soldiers bore the lead-lined coffin at critical parts of the services and processions, with billions of eyes upon them around the world (Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND: The band of brothers from the pallbearers who were immensely praised for perfectly accomplishing the task of carrying the Queen's coffin during the state funeral will head to an air base in northern Iraq to fight ISIS extremists. Their families described their deep pride in what they have done for "Queen and country."

A senior Army source told the Express, "It is this sharp contrast that the men find so appealing. If they only carried out ceremonial duties, I think it would lose its luster. These are fighting soldiers first and foremost."

'Weight of the world on their shoulders': Pallbearers earn praise for gracefully carrying the Queen's coffin

The guards were expertly guided throughout the ceremonies by Company Sergeant Major Dean Jones, an instructor at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where Prince Harry trained to be an officer. One of the major tasks of the pallbearers was held in private, they laid Her Majesty to rest with her husband, father, mother and sister in the royal tomb at St George's Chapel, Windsor, with a small group with the King and his close relatives on Monday, September 19.

Coffin bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George's Chapel on September 19, 2022 in Windsor, England. The committal service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, took place following the state funeral at Westminster Abbey. A private burial in The King George VI Memorial Chapel followed. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — Coffin bearers carry the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II into St George's Chapel on September 19, 2022, in Windsor, England (Ben Birchall-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The eight soldiers from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, who had been on placement in Iraq, carried the Queen's coffin. The coffin is reportedly made from oak with brass fittings and lead lining and weighs anywhere between 250kg and 317kg, so two additional soldiers were needed. Her oak casket was fashioned about 30 years ago. The Grenadier Guards is the oldest unit in the army, was founded in 1656 as Lord Wentworth's Regiment to guard Charles II while he was in exile.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party as it departs Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown resting on top is carried by the Bearer Party as it departs Westminster Abbey during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, 2022 (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Military leaders, politicians, and celebrities have all voiced to make the pallbearers the Members of the British Empire (MBE). The pallbearers are namely Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, Company Sergeant Major Dean Jones who led the bearer party in Westminster, Lance Corporal Tony Flynn, Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths, Lance Sergeant Jake Orlowski, Guardsman Fletcher Cox, Guardsman Luke Simpson, Guardsman David Sanderson, and Guardsman James Patterson.

The pall bearers lead the coffin away during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 in London, England. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born in Bruton Street, Mayfair, London on 21 April 1926. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and ascended the throne of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth on 6 February 1952 after the death of her Father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. — The pallbearers lead the coffin away during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Mark Large - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Lord Dannatt opined that MBE would be a fitting reward for the pallbearers who 'embodied the professionalism of the Armed Forces.' Mr Ellwood, head of the Commons defense committee, said: "Their performance did the Queen and the nation proud." Mr Middleton, a former Special Forces operative stated, "They deserved nothing less than an MBE." Tobias Ellwood MP, opined, "The scale and splendor of our military, as we said goodbye to our Queen, was nothing short of outstanding." 5,948 army members of the Armed Forces took part in Operation London Bridge – as plans for Her Majesty's passing were known since her death. And around 175 troops from Commonwealth countries also took part.