November is a time of remembrance throughout the UK. Many of us come together, wear a poppy to support the Royal British Legion, engage in fundraisers, and honour those who bravely fought and died for our country.
It also serves as a poignant reminder not only of sacrifice but of our responsibility to support the approximately two million veterans across the UK.
Between Friday 7th and Tuesday 11th November, we welcomed colleagues, the Corps Veterans Association (CVA), and the Corps Security Commissionaires for Remembrance weekend. We were especially proud to host our friends from our Canadian contingent, Commissionaires Canada, which was founded in 1925 and modelled after the British Corps of Commissionaires.
On Remembrance Sunday, our colleagues and guests gathered in Whitehall to parade past the Cenotaph, attend a ceremonial luncheon, and raise toasts to honour those we have lost, which you can read about in our previous blog.
Armistice Day
Armistice Day has been held since 1919 to commemorate the end of the First World War, at eleven in the morning, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. It is marked by a two-minute silence that allows us to pause, reflect on the catastrophic loss and lasting impact of the war, and the brave men and women who gave their lives for our safety.
On that day, Corps representatives gathered at the burial ground in Brookwood Cemetery to lay wreaths at the graves of our Commissionaires. Our Commissionaires gathered in their ‘Full Shout’ military style uniform, which originates from that worn by the early operational staff of the Corps of Commissionaires.
The ground has been home to Corps since our foundation in 1859, when Captain Sir Edward Walter established our organisation to provide employment opportunities for veterans returning from the Crimean War.
It includes the resting place of over 580 original Commissionaires, their spouses and children, as well as two holders of the Victoria Cross, Sergeant William Kenny and Lance-Corporal James Hollowell.
Though not buried there, Captain Sir Edward Walter is also commemorated with a prominent granite obelisk.
Supporting our veterans
For many veterans, the security profession offers a natural career path. The discipline, composure under pressure, teamwork, and leadership skills developed through military service translate well into security roles. That is why approximately 10 per cent of our current workforce are ex-military personnel.
The journey from military to civilian life can, however, be complicated by many factors, including the conflicts they have experienced and their impact on physical and mental health, family responsibilities, and the translation of military qualifications into civilian credentials.
No one deserves to face that transition alone. The CVA was designed to provide a space for veterans and their families to connect, share experiences, and honour their service together. They are deeply involved in all our remembrance events and veteran fundraising events throughout the year.
Our ongoing work
Today, we collaborate with ex-military recruitment organisations and partner with charities such as Combat Stress, which provides clinical treatment and assistance for veterans with mental health issues. We also work closely with SSAFA, which offers welfare advice and practical help for serving personnel, veterans and their families. During our March in March 2025 challenge, our National Accounts team raised over £10,000 for Combat Stress.
In May, the CVA also presented a donation to the Lancashire Army Cadet Force at its Fulwood HQ in Preston, to support the Friends of Lancashire Army Cadet Force charity.
The CVA has received wider recognition for its work, including the Bronze Award for Employer of the Year at the English Veterans Awards in 2024. It was most recently a finalist for the Most Impactful Community Programme at our service provider Reward Gateway’s Appreciation Awards.
Honouring those who served
Remembrance is not just for a single weekend in November; it is a reflection that should guide us throughout the year. The courage, sacrifice and service of those who came before us should continue to drive our support of veterans, their families and the communities around them.
As we continue to work closely with veterans, expand the reach of our Corps Veterans Association and our charitable partnerships, we must never forget and always remember those who gave their lives in service.
Find out more about our veteran support on our Corps Veterans Association page, its LinkedIn page, and our Remembrance Sunday blog.
