An Army Major from Bolton will represent his town, country and his family at the King's Coronation in London today.
Sergeant Major Lewis Lea, aged 38, has served in the armed forces for 19-years and will be part of the parade taking place.
WO2 Sgt Major Lea is with The Duke of Lancaster’s 1st Battalion and he will march to Buckingham Palace, making up one of the battalions that will line the King Charles III path to the palace.
Originally from Horwich, he is currently stationed in Cyprus, having formerly served in Iraq with his brother, and Afghanistan.
He told The Bolton News: “I was away when they were asking for volunteers for it, but as soon as I found out I volunteered.
“The feeling is amazing, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I’ll never get it again, at least while serving in the army.
“I’m part of the colour party. This is the last time I’ll be able to do it as a Colour Sergeant, as I’ve just been promoted to Sergeant Major.”
The battalion have been practicing the march for over a week, Sgt Major Lea said, including a practice march in London in the early hours of the morning.
He said: “It was bizarre, surreal. We did a full night rehearsal, everybody did it, all the troops, just to see if it would work.
“We got the train in at around 8.30pm, then went into Wellington Barracks, and then left there between 2am-4am for the rehearsal around Buckingham Palace.
“Marching with everybody filming, it didn’t feel real. There weren’t many people around as it was quite late at night.
“At 8am we’ll start marching, I can only imagine what is going to happen.”
Sgt Major Lea is stationed in Cyprus with his wife, Alessia, and their four children, Katie, Anneliese, Francesca and Greyson.
His wife said: “We’re extremely proud, we couldn’t be any prouder.
“We will be in sunny Cyprus, watching it from the screen, but we’ll know exactly where he will be so we can still see him more easily than from the crowd.”
She continued: “He was born in Stockport, but he pretty much spent his entire life in Horwich. I’m from Horwich originally, we met at Rivington and Blackrod High School.
“Myself and his entire family are extremely proud of what he has achieved in his career, this just being another badge for him.
“He will get a King’s Medal for doing this, another amazing thing he’s done for his family and his country.
“I’d also like to give a little mention for everyone in the Lancs service who are taking part. They’re all doing their country proud.”
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