The heartbroken family of a former member of the King’s Troop said he was always “proud” to be a member of such a “prestigious” unit.

Alan Gilham passed away on September 12, but his funeral was held today (October 31) at Maidstone Cemetery, attended by representatives of the Royal Horse Artillery.

The 88-year-old, who grew up in Grove Road on the Mangravet Estate, in Maidstone, was conscripted into the Army in 1955 as a general soldier as part of his national service.

However, he had always wanted to be in the King’s Troop after finding a love of horses working on Betts Farm after he left school, so he wrote a letter asking to be released so he could join the ceremonial unit.

He became part of the Royal Horse Artillery in St John’s Wood, London, where he progressed to the rank of Bombardier and was in charge of more than 30 men.

His daughter, Susan Collins, said: “He was always so very proud to think that he grew up on a council estate, and yet managed, through sheer hard work and determination, to progress to such a prestigious and proud vocation.

“He could remember it all so clearly as if it were yesterday, and he would become animated and enthused as he was reminiscing back to his youth.

“Despite all of the different jobs he had, he remained most proud and vocal, even recently until he passed, about being a member of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the honour of leading the horse-drawn guns in the parades.

“He also recalled being asked to attend the palace for a private show jumping for Queen Elizabeth II and meeting her in person.”

Alan left the King’s Troop in 1959 when he married his wife, Beryl, and they went on to have four children, Susan, Mark, Claire and Trevor, 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandsons.

Susan said: “He was always immensely proud and protective of all of his family and worked very hard to provide for us.”

Her daughter and Alan’s eldest granddaughter, Susannah Adams, added: “He was always there for us all, and he was absolutely devoted to our nan Beryl and all of us.

“I will never forget how proud he was of his wife, his family and the fact that he had been in the King’s Troop.”

After his time in the Army, Alan went on to work as a general labourer in Boughton quarries, a bouncer for The Royal Star Hotel in Maidstone and at Aylesford Paper Mills, where he stayed for 27 years before retiring.

He was also the chairman of the Tovil Working Men's Club for 10 years, becoming the longest serving chairman before he retired from the role due to ill health.

Remember her grandfather, Susannah said: “He always wore a suit out – even to Tovil Tesco to collect his lottery numbers and get his daily newspapers. He was always so smart and carried himself so respectfully.

“Everyone always said what a polite, friendly gentleman he was. He always had a cheeky look in his eye and would make jokes and have a good laugh with everyone he met.”

Alan, who lived in Bridge Mill Drive, Tovil Green, was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and moved into his wife’s care home for 12 days before he died.

His funeral, which was held today (Friday) was attended by a King’s Troop Standard Bearer who led the procession into the chapel at Maidstone Cemetery and stood out front holding the King’s Troop Flag.

Susan thanked the unit for supporting her family and allowing them to give her father a “poignant and honourable send-off”.

She said: “He would have been so honoured to know that they had sent the flag to drape over his coffin in his horse-drawn carriage.

“Our family are all so honoured and so proud of him. What a fitting accolade for such a special, beloved person.”