The Royal Navy

Master John Hammond brought about the affliation with HMS Westminster in 1993. Launched only the previous year and built by Swan Hunter on the Tyne she was commissioned in the Pool of London with a special service at Westminster Abbey. She is a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate (F237) and, initially, her main role was to search out and destroy enemy submarines. Today she is more likely to take up any appropriate task the Admiralty requires of her.

The British Army

The Fan Makers adopted 56 (London) Division, Signals Regiment, TA in 1953; however, this was disbanded in one of the Army’s peacetime reorganisations. In 1962 the Company adopted 79 (City of London) Company, Womens’ Royal Army Corp (TA), but again the unit was disbanded in 1967.

In 1988 Master Patrick Bird, who had a long association with the TA, helped form an association between the Company and 217 (London) Field Squadron Royal Engineers (EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal) (Volunteers). The Squadron was founded in 1861 and its engineers served with distinction in the Boer War and both World Wars. It is one of the six Territorial Engineer EOD units of which three, including 217 Field Squadron, are now Territorial units associated with the regular army 33 Engineer (EOD) Regiment, which have all actively contributed to the various theaters of operation including Afghanistan.

The Royal Air Force

Following a suggestion by Liveryman (now Free Warden) and former Wing Commander Michael Smith, in conversation with Past Master Godfrey Bilton a meeting was arranged with Air Chief Marshal Sir David Cousins. The Court visited RAF Marham in Norfolk in 1996 and were received by the Officer Commanding II (AC) Sqn, Wing Commander R F Garwood DFC. The Squadron was formally adopted at a Livery dinner on 17th October that year.