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Corps Security Marches For Remembrance Sunday

Corps Security Marches For Remembrance Sunday

Every year, Remembrance Sunday gives us time to pay tribute to the brave servicemen and women who gave their lives to protect others and honour the veterans who face challenges after surviving conflict.

On the 9th of November, members of our Corps Veteran Association (CVA), the Corps Security Commissionaires, Commissionaires Canada, colleagues and guests came together in Whitehall to parade past the Cenotaph, the national war memorial that has been visited by members of the Royal Family, Government officials, and Military representatives since 1920. Corps was honoured to once again join the centre of the UK’s commemorations.

Welcoming our Canadian colleagues

On Friday the 7th, we were pleased to welcome our colleagues and our Canadian contingent, Commissionaires Canada, with a drinks reception. The Canadian Corps of Commissionaires was founded in 1925 and modelled after the British Corps of Commissionaires, to employ Canadian veterans after the First World War.

Its foundation follows a similar history to our own. In 1859, Captain Sir Edward Walter established the Corps of Commissionaires to employ those returning from the Crimean War.

Remembering, together

Ahead of Remembrance Day, some of our group attended the Lady Mayor’s show on Saturday, the 8th, the civic procession held yearly since the early 13th century. The age-old tradition sees the newly elected Mayor travel upriver to distant Westminster and swear loyalty to the King. The first year to host a Lady Mayor, rather than a Lord, the event allowed guests to witness a refreshed version of a historic act unique to London.

On Remembrance Sunday, the group viewed the parade from the back of Whitehall and joined the parade party at The Naval & Military Club for a ceremonial luncheon. Colleagues and guests came together to commemorate those lost by reciting the Ode for the Fallen, Last Post, and holding toasts honouring those lost.

The parade is one of many Corps Remembrance commemorations this year. On Tuesday, 11th November, we come together again for Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of the First World War. On this day, Corps representatives gather in our burial ground in Brookwood Cemetery to lay wreaths at the graves of Commissionaires.

Remembrance is a unifying moment, and being able to invite Canadian commissionaires and other guests to commemorate with us is a privilege. 

Reflections on the day

Nigel Horne, Divisional Director and Chair of the CVA, said: “Remembrance Sunday is a profound moment for everyone at Corps. As a former serviceman myself, I’m incredibly proud to lead our parade past the Cenotaph. Standing together at Whitehall, alongside our Canadian colleagues and guests, we carry forward that legacy of service and support.”

Remembrance is a poignant period at Corps and reinforces our dedication to support veterans not just in employment, but with mental health challenges, and in helping their wider support network.

The CVA supports our veterans, and fundraises for active and ex-servicemen and women, along with their families. As an Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold-accredited business, we are proud to support veterans in their transition from service to civilian positions.

As we continue to work closely with veterans, we must never forget those who lost their lives to service. We will remember them.

Find out more about our veteran support on our Corps Veterans Association page and its LinkedIn page.

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Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On

Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On

Fought between the Russian Empire and allied forces of the British Empire, Ottoman Empire, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the alliance claimed victory on 30th March 1856 after a two-and-a-half-year conflict.

When hostilities began, few could have predicted the outcome of the war. Initially, historical records depicted the Russian army as an unbeatable force. However, low troop morale and insufficient supplies hampered efforts, which ultimately failed against determined allied resistance.

The conflict took a devastating toll on all sides – with the allies and Russia losing over 250,000 soldiers each. The former British Empire alone suffered more than 22,000 casualties. Perhaps most tragically, many perished not from combat wounds, but from inadequate medical care in field hospitals. This crisis gave rise to pioneering figures in medical history. This includes British nurse Florence Nightingale, whose introduction of sanitary practices reduced healthcare-related mortality rates, and Mary Seacole, whose British Hotel became a sanctuary for sick and injured soldiers.

The Veteran Experience After The Crimean War

For many returning veterans, the war’s aftermath presented significant challenges. Soldiers who had endured the harsh conditions found themselves facing limited employment prospects upon their return home. Sir Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8th Hussars, recognised this injustice and was determined to create meaningful change.

Having retired from active service in 1853, Sir Walter established the Corps of Commissionaires and became the organisation’s first commanding officer. The official inception of Corps is recorded on 13th February 1859, as Sir Walter noted in his diary:

“The Commissionaires will parade at 10am tomorrow morning and attend Divine Service at Westminster Abbey, after which they will dine together. The undermentioned men have been appointed to the Corps.”

Sir Walter championed the capabilities of ex-service people, advocating for their transition into crucial security roles to protect London’s financial institutions, then the world’s commercial hub. This pioneering resettlement initiative provided employment to the ‘Original Eight’ – one sailor and seven soldiers who became the foundation of our organisation.

The Corps of Commissionaires quickly established a reputation for exceptional service standards, attracting requests from an expanding client base. Within its first year, the Commissionaires secured rented accommodation at Exchange Court in The Barracks, which became the official headquarters for permanent staff.

Under Sir Walter’s leadership, the organisation expanded to include reservists alongside ex-service people. By 1880, the Corps of Commissionaires had established operations in London, Belfast, and Liverpool, with a membership exceeding 1,000.

The company’s growth continued globally, with Corps of Commissionaires establishing offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I

In 1915, HRH the Duke of Connaught, the Governor General of Canada, approached Sir Walter to help Canadian veterans of the First World War. The Canadian Commissionaires was initially established in Montreal, before expanding to Toronto and Vancouver. Now, the Canadian Commissionaires celebrates 100 years of supporting Canadian veterans.

In 1901, His Majesty King Edward VII consented to chair the Corps of Commissionaires’ board of governors. More than a century later in 2008, the company evolved into Corps Security as we know it today, with King Charles III as our Royal Patron.

Supporting Ex-military Personnel in 2025

The Crimean War represented a challenging chapter in British history, leaving many veterans with insufficient support upon their return. Sir Edward Walter’s vision, and the mission of the Corps of Commissionaires, helped countless former service members to apply their military expertise in civilian roles.

In 2025, Corps’ founding principles continue to resonate throughout our organisation. We maintain our commitment to supporting ex-military personnel in their transition to security careers, and actively fundraise for veteran charities including the SSAFA (the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association), Blind Veterans, BLESMA (formally known as The Limbless Veterans) and Combat Stress.

We’re proud to highlight the work of our Corps Veterans Association, which provides additional mentoring, and camaraderie for those who have served their country. The Association’s regular events and outreach programmes help strengthen the bonds between generations of veterans and ensure that the unique experiences of military service are understood and valued within our organisation.

Providing support and opportunities for veterans remain at the heart of Corps Security’s ethos: delivering specialist security services that ensure the safety of both property and people while remembering those who have served.

Read more about Sir Edward Walter and our history here.

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Remembering The Crimean War 169 Years On

The End Of The Crimean War, 168 Years On

168 years ago, the two-and-a-half-year long conflict of the Crimean War came to an end. Fought between the Russian Empire and allied forces of the British Empire, Ottoman Empire, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia, the alliance ultimately won on the 30th of March 1856.

When the war began, it was not well-anticipated globally, and neither was its victor. According to some accounts, the Russian army was at first perceived as invincible. However, its demoralised troops and lacklustre military supplies led to a faltering army that was beat by its allied opposition.

The war also took a huge toll on its victors – both sides lost over 250,000 soldiers each, with the former British Empire suffering over 22,000 casualties. Perhaps most famously, many died not from the conflict, but from poor sanitary treatment in recovery hospitals. Famous figures resulting from the war include British nurse Florence Nightingale and her team, who provided safe sanitary practices that reduced patient death and suffering, and Mary Seacole’s British Hotel that nursed sick soldiers.

Life for soldiers after the war

For many soldiers, poor conditions during the war and the harrowing experience of front-line conflict left them in a tough position. Ex-soldiers had limited employment opportunities, which Sir Edward Walter, a retired officer of the 8th Hussars, was determined to change.

Sir Walter was the founder and commanding officer of the Corps of Commissionaires. He had retired from the army in 1853 but founded the company to become the organisation’s first commanding officer. We see the inception date of Corps on the 13th of February 1859, as Sir Walter wrote in his diary:

“The Commissionaires will parade at 10am tomorrow morning and attend Divine Service at Westminster Abbey, after which they will dine together. The undermentioned men have been appointed to the Corps.”

Sir Walter advocated for the abilities of ex-servicemen to transition into the vital role of protecting the financial houses of the City of London, once the world’s commercial capital. The uniformed service’s first resettlement project gave jobs to the ‘Original Eight’, one sailor and seven soldiers.

Quickly, the organisation gained a reputation for its high standard of operation, leading more organisations to request its services. Within the first year of operation, the Commissionaires took rented accommodation at Exchange Court in its location The Barracks, which became the official headquarters for permanent staff.

The organisation grew, as Sir Walter extended membership to reservists as well as ex-servicemen. By 1880, the Corps of Commissionaires was operating in London, Belfast, and Liverpool, with over 1,000 members.

Since then, the organisation has grown globally, with Corps of Commissionaires establishing officers in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

In 1901, His Majesty King Edward VII consented to head the Corps of Commissionaires’ board of governors. Over a century later in 2008, the organisation changed its name to Corps Security.

Supporting ex-military personnel today

The Crimean War was a difficult time for the nation, and many soldiers were left with little support after they returned from war. Sir Edward Walter’s mission, and the mission of the Corps of Commissionaires let many use their military skills in key civilian positions.

In 2024, Corps’ original message still rings true throughout the organisation. We still support ex-military personnel in their transition to security roles, and fundraise for veterans organisations – the SSAFA, the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association, and Combat Stress.

Last year, the combined efforts of our community raised over £22,000 for Combat Stress. Initiatives included a 750-mile cycling challenge ‘Tour De Corps’, a North vs South football match in Birmingham, Salman Shamim’s ‘D-Day Challenge’ and Saharan challenge ultra-marathons, and the Corps national account team’s participation in the March in March’s annual fundraiser.

Employment opportunities and support for veterans underpins the ethos of Corps Security – to offer specialist security services that ensure the safety of property and people.

Read more about Sir Edward Walter and our history.

 

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We protect more than you think

There’s a lot more to Corps Security than you might expect. Yes, we are experts in security and we have over 166 years of experience. But we’re also experts in how to put sustainability and diversity at the heart of everything we do.

We are a Social Enterprise

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About Corps Security

Built on over 166 years of experience and a clear social mission, we provide specialist security services tailored to ensure the safety of people and property.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, through the people we work with, the people we employ, the people we help and the planet we protect. Together we protect the things that matter.

Registered Office at 85 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6PF.  Registered in England No. 03473589

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