The PRA at The Tower of London

By Chris Dimond

Military traditions are established in various ways. For many years, in Scottish Highland officers’ messes, the water glasses were refilled before the loyal toast so that the diners could pass their drink ‘over the water’ when toasting the monarch. They were, of course, honouring the Scottish monarchs, the Stuarts, in exile across the water.

French paratroopers serving and retired are the only military formation accorded the right to sing in thecourtyard of Les Invalides in Paris during the celebration of Saint Michael’s Day. St Michael is the patron saint of paratroopers. This relatively new tradition dates from 2010 and the funeral of the hugely respected parachute general Marcel Bigeard. 

Unable to contain themselves despite the rules against singing and other disturbances on this hallowed ground, the French Paras broke into song to speed their general on his way and it was subsequently decreed that the French Airborne could sing in Les Invalides. No other French military formation has this right. 

Through its Ilford 84 branch, the Parachute Regimental Association — which is for serving and retired British Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces soldiers — is the only regimental association outside the Household Division and the Royal Fusiliers permitted to have an annual church service at the Tower of London.

This honour dates from 2000, when the Ilford 84 branch had a new branch standard made. According to branch lore, the Reverend David Cooper — who had served as 2 PARA’s padre during the Falklands War in 1982 — suggested that Ilford 84 get their new standard blessed at The Tower of London. 

The Queen’s Chaplain at The Tower of London at the time was another well-loved Parachute Regiment padre, the Reverend Paul Abram, who had served with 3 PARA in the 1960s. The Rev Abram had also passed a Basic Parachute Course with Oxford University OTC in 1959 before going on to pass Selection for 21 (Artists) SAS. 

The Rev Abram took a keen interest in the matter and the Ilford 84 PRA standard became the first military standard to be blessed at The Tower of London since the reign of the Tudor King Henny VIII. Ilford 84 PRA was also accorded the privilege of its own church service in The Tower every year, a privilege the branch members cherish greatly.

The Ilford 84 PRA have kept this special privilege alive with the help of PRA members from other branches. This year, on Sunday 13th October, the Colchester branch sent former 2 PARA soldier Brendan Blair to bear the Colchester PRA standard at the Ilford 84’s annual church service on October 5^th. Ex-4 PARA CSM George White bore the Ilford 84 standard. 

The thirty-strong parade formed up by the arch between the Lanthorn and Salt Towers near The Keys — the Yeoman Warders’ or Beefeaters’ private pub — and marched up to the King’s Chapel under the command of Jim Egan, another ex-4 PARA CSM. To the delight of tourists, the marching route took the Paras through the most crowded public areas of the Tower.

The parade included veterans from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 PARA, with members from the London, Colchester and Northumberland PRA branches. Both PRA standards were brought into the church for the service under the King’s Chaplain and one of the Yeoman Warders. After the service, the Paras and their family members marched back to the forming-up point.

With relatives, the group numbered just over seventy, the largest known contingent to date since this event took place twenty-four years ago. Along the way, they paused by a Tower landmark, the 24-pounder bronze cannon cast in 1607, which was in the armoury of the Duke of Wellington’s forces for a time.

Afterwards, the PRA group was invited into The Keys for refreshments with the Yeoman Warders. A birthday cake was produced for Kierren Stokes’ fortieth birthday, which was feted with song to the approval of the other patrons. Recently elected MP for Southend East and Rochford and PRA member Bayo Alaba was spotted in at least one jerky video of the event. [Hermes would be grateful for a clear photo because Stokes and Alaba are handsome chaps and a very good image for the Regiment — Editor]

When the bucket was passed around the pub for donations, the assembly raised £235.00 for Support Our Paras. The Paras were very touched to see their non-Airborne comrades amongst the Yeoman Warders contributing to the donations. 

2025 will be the 25^th anniversary of this very unusual privilege, with its links to the reign of Henry VIII and the Class of ’82, and it is expected to be a well-attended event. Because of the planned refurbishment of the King’s Chapel in 2025, the church service might be moved from the month of October but the Ilford 84 branch will keep guests informed. 

The Ilford 84 PRA extends special thanks to Major Curt Vines (Ret’d) for organising the presence of the Colchester PRA standard. Special thanks also go to the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London for receiving the PRA members and their families in The Keys after the parade.