In the past, the Company’s role within the City involved the provision of arms and soldiers as and when required. At times it kept a store of arms and gunpowder in Drapers’ Hall. From the 17th century, with the formation of London’s trained armed forces, this role ceased but the link with the military is perpetuated through affiliations.
HMS Monmouth
An affiliation between the Company and HMS Monmouth was established in 1994. HMS Monmouth is a Type 23 Frigate and is the 6th “Duke Class” to enter service. She was launched in 1991 and is designed primarily for Anti-Submarine Warfare. The present Monmouth is the 7th warship to bear the name, the first being an 8-gun yacht in 1666.
The Commanding Officer is Commander Dean Bassett RN.
The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
The affiliation between the Company and The Welsh Guards was formed in 2007. The Welsh Guards was first officially formed in 1915 by order of King George V to complete the national complement of Regiments of Foot Guards.
In more recent years, they have carried out operational tours in Northern Ireland, Palestine, Egypt, Germany, Aden, Cyprus and Belize, as well as forming part of the task force that fought in the Falklands campaign in 1982, the Battle Honour for which is now borne on the colours (36 Guardsmen were killed in the conflict). In the last 5 years the 1st Battalion has been deployed on Operations to Bosnia and Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq.
The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Antelme DSO.
71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment
An affiliation was established with the Regiment in 1982. The Regiment was formed in 1967 and for the past 30 years it has provided communications for UK Operations in London and the South East of England. It is part of 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade.
In the past year the Regiment has had ten reservists deployed on active duty in Afghanistan. Many others have been deployed in recent years to Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo.
The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel Tim Allen. The Honorary Colonel is Brigadier Charles le Gallais CBE.
RAF Shawbury
The Company’s affiliation with RAF Shawbury began in 2007. RAF Shawbury’s mission is to provide the UK’s Armed Forces with highly trained helicopter aircrew, air traffic controllers and flight operations personnel, and to prepare people for deployment on operations anywhere in the world.
The units that conduct this training are the Defence Helicopter Flying School, the Central Flying School (Helicopter) Squadron and the Central Air Traffic Control School.
The Station Commander is Group Captain Warren James MBE RAF.