Page 34 - Yearbook issue try out

ueen, C
tr
or Q
oun
F
For Queen, Country
y
and Livery
and Liv er y

The City’s livery companies have, between them, more than 120 links with
the armed forces, and a similar number with the uniformed cadet forces.

PAUL JAGGER examines the strong affiliation

S WITH so much about the City,
we have to delve deep into history.
ANorman, Plantagenet, Yorkist and
Lancastrian kings all needed to raise armies
quickly to fight off usurpers, prevent invasions
or engage in the medieval pastime of “Stuffing
the French”. Where better to raise those armies
than the City of London, and who better to
provide companies of fit young men than the
City’s guilds and their respective bands of
apprentices?

Hence the affiliations that have built up
over the years and centuries between livery
companies and not only the armed forces in
general, but also specific regiments, ships and
squadrons. Past Master Nicholas
Birtles with the Signals
Several of the City’s companies were (or still
are) connected with martial matters – the programme for serving military personnel, and we
Bowyers, Fletchers, Armourers, Blacksmiths, also present an annual award.
Saddlers and Gunmakers, the last of which still has
statutory powers to test and regulate small-bore What has this meant to the soldiers concerned?
firearms. Richard Savage was Regimental Sergeant Major
(RSM) of 11 (Royal School of Signals) Signal
Whereas the City of London is the only place in Regiment – but he knew the clock was ticking on
Her Majesty’s realms where troops may not enter his career as a serving soldier. He vividly recalls
or parade – the Lord Mayor’s permission must be being told by a colleague: “a chap will call you from
sought and obtained in advance – the Lord Mayor’s some strange livery company in London; I don’t
Show features more troops than does Trooping the really know what it’s all about.”
Colour.
The “chap” was Mike Williams, but it was a year
WCIT affiliated with the Royal Corps of Signals later that Richard took the relationship with WCIT
in 1992. The Company has maintained close from a generic to a specific personal one, after one
links with the Corps, including through the of WCIT’s career insight days held at Blandford.
Careers Panel, who have mentored more than
580 service men and women in their transition “The day was fantastic, with lots of interesting
to civilian employment. We are shortly to launch speakers, and a first session with my mentor. Nick
“Professional Horizons”, a through-career support Claydon was there to support, coach and mentor
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