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  London Church Parade 2007

February 4, 2007

 
  Since we are here only two years Ian only gets two opportunities to travel to London to participate in the Royal Military Police Association's London Branch Church Parade.  We did this again for our second year and really enjoyed the chance to see the friends we made last year and to be welcomed again so warmly by all these RMP veterans.  Here are some photos of the event.
 
On the Saturday night before the Church Parade on Sunday we were invited to observe the Ceremony of the Keys again.  This simple, short ceremony is the longest running ceremony of any in the UK.  It only takes 10 minutes but has been performed every night to lock up the Tower for hundreds of years, even during wars when London was getting bombed.  Susan was able to take a few good shots of the Tower at night in black and white.  Photos of the ceremony itself are not allowed.
 
 
 
 
Ian gets to lead the Redcaps and band up the castle close.
 
 
Ian and a good friend Perry Mason march together.
 
 
 
 
 
Marching in front of the old barracks, the current location of the Crown Jewels.
 
 
The padre prepared to greet those entering the Church for the Sunday service.
 
 
For the parade following the service back down to the Yeoman Warder's Club Ian got to take the salute since it was his final time to do the parade.  What a wonderful honor.
 
 
Ian returning the salute.
 
 
A young visitor to the Tower that day wants to take a look at the officer's saber.  He also wanted to know where Ian kept the prisoners in the tower...
 
 
 
The Green Hackles Pipe Band provided the music for the parade and for everyone's enjoyment afterwards.
 
 
Ian receives a gift of a RMPA London Branch Regimental Tie from Perry.
 
 
 
We finish the day with good friends Perry and John, the chief Yeoman Warder, inside the Club where we had lunch.