On a cool overcast day at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in England, more than 100 personnel from Australia, New Zealand and Canada have joined 2000 members of the British Armed Forces in training for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Among those taking part in the training is Corporal Dominique Lopreti, Distribution Operator at the Army School of Ordnance in Albury-Wodonga.
Coming from Riddles Creek in Victoria, Corporal Lopreti has been in the Army for seven years and is proud to be representing the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC). The late Sovereign was the Colonel-in-Chief of the RAAOC.
“To be selected as one of only four members of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps to be here for this solemn occasion is incredible,” Corporal Lopreti said.
The Commonwealth contingent will join the funeral procession through the streets of London. The training at the base in Pirbright has been set up to closely resemble the route that will be travelled on the day of the funeral. For a number of days the contingent has joined others in hours of precise drill and ceremonial training to ensure a quality event on the day.
“The training has been long with lots of slow marching but we are all enthusiastic and know we are part of something that we will remember forever,” Corporal Lopreti said.
As with all members of the ADF contingent, Corporal Lopreti has the support and encouragement from family at home in Australia.
“My family are so very excited and proud of me, they tell everyone what I am doing,” Corporal Lopreti said.
