A WYESHAM man and former MCS pupil was in command of a deployment in The Queens funeral procession on Monday.

Marc Wilding, brother to Dave (Bomber) Wilding, joined the British Army aged 17 as an apprentice at Princess Marina College. He did well and joined the REME as an Electronics Engineer, rising through the ranks, briskly. He soon became an Articifer (skilled mechanic) Sgt Major, gaining his BSc from Swansea University

They lost Dad, Mike Wilding ex RE Sgt, in 1986. Marc was only 12. He chose to become a Military man, following in the steps of his Dad and Grandfather, Sgt John (Jack) Wilding RMRE. Jack served in WW2. But the grandsons never met Jack, as he contracted TB evacuating Dunkirk and died a year later.

It wasn’t too long before Marc took a Commission and became an officer, doing a tour in Northern Ireland and two In Afghanistan. During this time, he played rugby for Hampshire in the County Championships at Twickenham! He captained his home Club of Andover RFC and represented The Army XV, who he toured with in Cyprus.

He also became a ‘World Champion’ when winning the Rugby Final, representing ARU Masters (Veterans) XV at The World Masters Games in Australia in 2009. His career has taken him to the rank of Major where he now works at Lyneham. In his words:- “I am OC of Normandy Company in 8 Training Battalion REME” and has about 400 personnel in his charge.

Marc was chosen to command a deployment for Her Majesty’s Funeral procession. He said; “We were the third Half Company on Horse Guards. I was 15th in total with the other Half Companies lining Whitehall before they got to H Guards. I commanded the whole of the REME deployment but was the 15 Half Company Commander on parade.” Marc, personally, was on Horse Guards Parade, in file, as Her Majesty’s coffin passed within feet of him.

He is pictured centre in the left picture.