Former student David Sanderson was one of eight Grenadier Guards to carry the Queen on her final journey.

David attended The King Edward Vl school before leaving at 16 to join the Army Foundation College in Harrogate. By the time he was 17 David was stationed at the regimental headquarters of the Grenadier Guards at Wellington barracks, first joining the second battalion and then moving to the first battalion, the Queen’s Division, like his late grandfather.

19-year-old David was selected to be one of the eight soldiers from the Queen’s Company 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who bore the oak casket in both London and Windsor. David was positioned at the front on the right-hand side of the casket.

The enormity of the role is hard to comprehend and the soldiers have been praised for carrying out their duty while watched by billions around the world. The dignity and poise shown by David throughout that service was hugely impressive and the school community is so proud of his achievement.