The man responsible for ensuring the military delivers a perfect Coronation Day

Garrison Sergeant Major WO1 Vern Stokes has been working with a small team that designed the role the military will play in the King's coronation. 

The process started in November and since then he has been responsible for delivering the Coronation Day plan to those in command and overseeing the many rehearsals.

With not only hundreds of thousands expected to pack the streets of London, there will also be billions watching the big day from around the world.

• King's coronation: All we know about the Armed Forces
• Young riders pass tough test as King's Troop prepare for coronation day
• Sailors and marines' rigorous coronation rehearsals in Portsmouth

The warrant officer spoke to Forces News about how it feels to have that responsibility on his shoulders.

"It is a wonderful opportunity and an incredibly proud moment when I get involved in all of these state events."

This is the second big state event the Garrison Sergeant Major has planned within a year, as he organised the military processions for the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

To ensure everything goes smoothly on the day he said it really comes down to having the belief that it will:

"It's really a case of driving down into the detail, understanding our plan and then believing in the plan as well."

Even after seven months of hard work, there will still be more work to be done by the Garrison Sergeant Major on Coronation Day. 

He said it is going to be a very early start: "I will be out approving the route, to make sure we have enough space to put our bands into position, to make sure the barriers are in the right place, to make sure the manhole covers have been sanded so the horses don't slip, all of that attention to detail."

But even on what is likely to be the busiest day, he will ensure there is still time for a cup of tea with breakfast. 

"I will then oversee everyone else's deployment to ensure they are in the right place at the right time."

Despite the high-pressure nature of these events, WO1 Stokes says he loves them and it's a real "pinch yourself" moment.

"I don't take anything for granted, nor should anyone else who's involved in the coronation," he said.

When signing up for the military – more than 30 years ago – Garrison Sergeant Major Vern Stokes said he never thought he would be part of such historic moments.

"This little boy from his council estate in Shropshire didn't think he would be the Garrison Sergeant Major responsible for delivering these huge events. Not at all. No."