Contingent joins in farewell for the Queen

• Published date: 29 September 2022
• Publication title: Guardian, The

That definitely includes being the commander of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent which headed to London to farewell Queen Elizabeth II

Last week, Gerling, originally from Cromwell and now based at Linton Military Camp, was in the main body of the Commonwealth contingent marching in the Queen’s funeral procession down The Mall in London, among 24 New Zealanders, 64 Canadians and 28 Australians.

“The privilege of coming over here as contingent commander, and being part of history, is something you will never forget,” he says.

After the procession ended at Wellington Arch, the Armed Forces stood at attention while the Queen’s coffin was placed in the royal hearse.

“Where I was positioned, I had an amazing view of another piece of history — the Queen being transferred into the hearse until the vehicles departed. I probably had the best seat in the world to watch her depart...