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An extraordinary photo has surfaced of some of Australia, New Zealand and the UK’s most decorated soldiers as they gathered in London to bid farewell to the Queen.
Seventeen Victoria Cross and George’s Cross recipients pose outside the Union Jack Club in central London the day before the Queen’s funeral.
The Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefits Group – which is dedicated to Australia’s oldest Victoria Cross recipient – shared the photo, saying: ‘Thank you, Your Majesty, for your long and selfless service.’
One commenter said the men in the photo are “the bravest of them all.”
Not far from Mr Payne, the country’s oldest living Victoria Cross winner, was Ben Roberts-Smith – the controversial Australian digger awaiting the outcome of a defamation trial against Nine Entertainment Co over charges of war crimes.
Afghan war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith VC (pictured far left) appeared in a photo with 16 other living George Cross and Victoria Cross winners. Others in the photo are British soldier Johnson Beharry VC (second from left), New Zealander Willie Apiata VC (third from left), Michael Pratt, Australia’s last living WG (fourth from left), former British officer Peter Norton GC (in wheelchair), Keith Payne, Australia’s oldest living VC (with walking stick), Australian soldier Mark Donaldson VC (in blue suit) and Australian soldier Daniel Keighran VC (fourth from right)
Mr. Roberts-Smith, 43, and the other VC recipients were invited to the Queen’s funeral for their military virtue.
Mr Roberts-Smith was awarded a Victoria Cross for storming a fortified enemy machine gun position in Afghanistan and killing three insurgents when his unit was pinned down.
They accompanied officials at the funeral — including Mr. Albanese and Governor General David Hurley — along with celebrated citizens such as Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott.
Mr Roberts-Smith openly welcomed his invitation to the service by speaking about the honor of meeting the Queen in 2011.
The decorated digger said it was a “surreal” experience and that he was “overwhelmed” by her “kindness” and “intelligence”.
He told the Western Australian that she had dropped her handbag on the two-seater sofa and pointed out that I should sit down…
Ben Roberts-Smith is pictured leaving Australia’s Federal Court in Sydney on Monday, July 18, 2022. He is indicting two newspaper groups over reports linking him to alleged war crimes in Afghanistan
Ben Robert Smith (pictured centre), 43, can be seen at the Queen’s funeral in London on Monday
Ben Roberts-Smith (left) opened his invitation to attend the Queen’s funeral (pictured together in 2011)
“I assumed she’d be sitting across from me, but she sat down next to me, grabbed my arm and started talking to me that she’d just flown back from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the time.”
Mr. Roberts-Smith described the late Monarch as “gorgeous,” that she was “stoic leader” and “a beautiful lady.”
“I have a very deep respect for Her Majesty and all that she has sacrificed in her life and what she has achieved.”
Roberts-Smith launched his defamation campaign against the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times for publishing allegations that he had committed war crimes in Afghanistan.
The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald were published by Fairfax Media, which is now owned by Nine, while the Canberra Times is published by Australian Community Media.
The sensational case, which went to court over 100 days, was closed at the end of July, but a verdict is not expected for months.
While some were surprised at his invitation to the Queen’s funeral, he has a large following of supporters.
One said the photo of him with 16 other veterans showed ‘Australia’s greatest heroes, our country is a much better place for their service! Pride and honour.’
Another simply said, “Well done to you all, fine men.”
A commenter on another photo in the same series said, “Thank you for your service and respect for Ben Roberts-Smith. God bless you.’
Before flying from Brisbane to London for the funeral, Mr Roberts-Smith lost a tooth.
Ben Roberts-Smith appears to have knocked out a tooth while on vacation after his epic defamation lawsuit ended
He was pictured missing one of his front teeth by Daily Mail Australia at Sydney International Airport after returning from New Zealand on August 31.
Roberts-Smith had been on vacation with his girlfriend Sarah Matulin in the ski and adventure sports resort of Queenstown.
It is unknown what caused the accident.