AS the century draws to a close a Bolton man can claim to have played his part in one of its most enduring images.

Not many people can say they played a role in making history, but Michael Cottrell from Egerton can.

The former Grenadier Guard was one of 10 soldiers from the regiment chosen to carry Sir Winston Churchill's coffin through St Paul's Cathedral at the State funeral.

Churchill, recently voted Man of the Century in a Teletext poll, was buried on January 30, 1965.

The picture that many people carry in their minds of the coffin being carried into the cathedral is an image replayed over and over on TV - and Michael plays a supporting role.

Michael, who is pictured at the end of the coffin, can remember almost every detail of the day.

He said: "It was a long time ago and I do not think about it these days. But I do remember the events of the day very clearly.

"It was the longest walk with a coffin that had been made and we had to shoulder a quarter of a tonne weight. I was one of 10 Grenadier Guards chosen because of my height and build - and of course I was one of the smartest!"

Michael had put the events of the day to the back of his mind until a friend rang him out of the blue and told him he was featured in one of the national newspapers as taking part in one of the century's most notable events.

Castle

Michael joined the Grenadier Guards in 1957 and took part in the Trooping of the Colour each year, as well as Guard Days at Buckingham Palace, St James Palace and Windsor Castle. He also lined the streets for visiting heads of state.

He served in the Guards for 16 years and has been living in Bolton for the last 18 years.

He worked at Charles Turner Paper Mill and is now area manager for Nottingham company, Sawley Security.

A member of the British Legion on Chorley New Road, Michael was among those "old boys" invited to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party in July for an unprecedented second time.

After playing his part in the funeral, Michael received a signed book of Churchill's memoirs from Lady Churchill in appreciation of his efforts.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.