JAKARTA - What happened to the families of sailors from Scotland may make most people jealous, where they were involved in the coronation and burial of the King of England.
It is John Kerr and Able Seaman Murray, the grandfather and grandson who are both serving in the Navy, who are both involved in the historic moment of Queen Elizabeth II.
92-year-old John Kerr was involved in the inauguration ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II about 70 years ago.
Living in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Murray's grandfather served in the National Service with the Scots Guards in 1953. He was involved in the coronation procession which took place in London. He was one of 16,000 participants at a 7.2 km long parade.
"My grandfather always spoke proudly about his time at Guard, but one thing, every time I mentioned something ceremonial, was about being in the Ratu's coronation. It was a decisive part of his life, not just his career," said Murray, quoted from the royalnavy.mod.uk website, Friday 16 September.
"He has always been a role model for me. He brought everything he learned in Guards into his civil life. He was still spraying his shoes. Combing all his clothes. Everything was neat," he continued.
Now, the 20-year-old Murray and the Royal Navy's secure-based trainer HMS Collingwood in trio, will do the same as one of the more than a thousand sailors and Royal Marines, playing an important role in the funeral.
"It's doing the best you can. Looks perfect. Go out and perform and show. That's all. My grandfather said, 'do this and you will remember it for the rest of your life,' explains Murray.
Immediately after being elected to duty at the cemetery, he called his former Scottish Guard grandfather, who was on the liner on The Mall street for a coronation.
“Do the best you can. Look impeccable. Show up. Go out and perform. That was it, my grandad said."Able Seaman Murray Kerr’s grandfather guarded the Queen at her coronation – 70 years on the Scottish sailor will do the same at Her Majesty’s funeral.➡️ https://t.co/4N9h8nOE30 pic.twitter.com/8l0uTSsgnj
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) September 15, 2022
"We want to be there for His Majesty. We're not doing this for anyone else. We're not doing this for us or our families. I'm even going to say, I'm not doing this for the navy, I'm not doing this just because the navy asked me to do it. I think if I'm not activated, I'll find a way to be there for His Majesty. That's the mentality of all of us," he explained.
Murray and his colleagues are completing intensive ceremonial training to prepare for Monday, when the Royal Navy will recall the State Ceremonial Cannon Train carrying the Queen's coffin on a two-mile route. This is the task they have carried out since Queen Victoria's funeral in 1901.
"This is huge for me. Being here and doing what we do for someone I respect and admire throughout my life," he said.
"This is the last chance for us to give something back. It's huge for me personally and feeling very special. I feel a very big obligation to do this with my best."
"The history books will say 'The Royal Navy marched on the streets as the Queen was taken to Westminster Abbey for her funeral," concluded Murray.
Queen Elizabeth II will be buried side by side with her husband, Prince Philip Duke ofsifat at Kapel Memorial King George VI, Kapel St George, Windsor Castle, on Monday 19 September.
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