Queues stop NZ soldiers from paying respects

By AMIE RICHARDSON

A New Zealander ushering at the Queen Mother's funeral in London is proud to be part of the service but disappointed that he could not pay his respects.

Contingent Commander Major Christopher Mitchell, part of the four-strong contingent from the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps, has been unable to pay his respects to the Queen Mother because of nine-hour queues to view her lying-in-state.

Major Mitchell described the general feeling of Commonwealth representatives in London as "numb".

During the funeral tonight, Major Mitchell and Warrant Officer Brendan Wood will usher people to their seats in Westminster Abbey, but Major Mitchell would not know any more details about the service until a rehearsal held overnight (NZT).

Major Mitchell said the contingent was honoured to be part of the service, which starts at 11.30pm (NZT).

The contingent, which also includes Sergeant Joanne Boykett and Private Charles Wheeler, left New Zealand last Tuesday and was expected back in 12 days.

While contingent members were having difficulty paying their respects in London, by contrast a book of remembrance at the Auckland City Council building had only 29 entries yesterday morning.

The tributes described the Queen Mother as an icon of the last century and as an inspirational mother and grandmother.

"Beautiful young people are mistakes of nature. Beautiful old people are mistakes of art," one person said.

Another wrote: "To our lady, may you have a beautiful travel home. God bless - you have only done good for our world."

In Wellington, more than 1000 people have signed a condolence book at Parliament, and the Auckland Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Parnell has also had a steady flow of people signing tributes at St Mary's Church.

Priest Associate Reverend Jenny Chalmers said "many more people" had signed this book than their tribute book for those lost in the September 11 attacks.

In London, the Queen was due to thank the estimated 150,000 people who have queued around the clock to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.

She was expected to give thanks for the Queen Mother's long and eventful life.

* Bronwyn Sell, our correspondent in London, will cover the funeral.

Feature: The Queen Mother 1900-2002