The Services

The Company's Links with the Armed Forces

The Company has long appreciated the importance of links with the armed services. In 1900, when Colonel Stowe of the Honourable Artillery Company was Master, adverse reports from the South African War led the Company to organise a competition for improving the design of horse-drawn ambulances. Today the Company maintains strong connections with the services which foster mutual understanding of arms, industry and the City.

The Royal Navy

In 1955 the Company adopted HMS Centaur, a Light Fleet Carrier of 16,000 tons and, to commemorate the affiliation, presented a mace, sash and gauntlets to be used by the Drum Major of the ship’s Volunteer Band. This was followed by the gift of a silver bugle.

Centaur was withdrawn from service in 1970 and, by agreement with the Board of Admiralty, the Company’s association and gifts were transferred to HMS Hermes, originally a sister ship of Centaur and then classified as a Commando Ship. Hermes’ task was changed and in the Falklands Campaign her name became known worldwide. After her celebrated role in that campaign she was honourably retired from active service. On 3rd May 1984 the Company was formally affiliated to HMS Boxer, a ‘stretched’ Type 22 Frigate which was decommissioned in 1999. The Company’s liaison with the Senior Service continues with the new LPD and command ship HMS Bulwark, commissioned in 2005.

The Royal Air Force

In 1961 the Company became affiliated with No. 216 Squadron of RAF Transport Command and subsequently presented the Squadron with a silver rose bowl to mark the relationship. In 1962 the Company presented a silver trophy in the form of the Squadron’s crest to be awarded annually to the master aircrew and SNCO aircrew section achieving the highest aggregate categorisation results.

Sadly, 216 was disbanded in 1975, but a replacement was found in No 10 Squadron, which was re-formed in 1966 to fly VC-10 aircraft. In addition to being responsible for providing long-range transport for the three services, No. 10 Squadron was regularly used by the Royal family and senior members of government for international and state visits.

The Squadron, which was heavily engaged in the Falklands Campaign, both Gulf Wars, the Balkans and Afghanistan conflicts also provide a strategic airborne air refuelling facilities for the RAF and allied air forces.

The Squadron was disbanded on 14th October 2005 and on 24th November the Livery resumed its association with the RAF through an affiliation with the station RAF Brize Norton.

The Army

In 1974 the Company’s association with all three services was completed through an affiliation with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. The event was commemorated by presenting a banner to the Past and Present Regimental Association on the occasion of the 50th Annual Cavalry Memorial Parade in Hyde Park. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent is the Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.

In his year of office, 1980-81, Master J A Williams presented a silver drum trophy to the Regimental Band to be awarded to the Bandsman of the year. The regiment celebrated its 300th birthday at Detmold in June 1985 in the presence of Her Royal Highness the Colonel-in-Chief.

In 1992 the regiment was amalgamated with the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards to form the Royal Dragoon Guards. The Company was represented at the farewell parade of the 4th/7th at Detmold in April and at the unveiling of the regimental memorial at Creully, Normandy.