The Lightmongers are proud to be affiliated with a wide range of organisations, details of which can be found by clicking on the various sub-tabs of this section.
Army Reserves
579 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) (Volunteers)
The Company’s first affiliation was with the Army; with 873 Movement Light Squadron RE (V) Territorial Army Unit. When the affiliation came about in 1987 it affiliated the Company with the sole searchlight unit in the British Army. In 1992 the Army decided that it no longer needed searchlights and the role of the squadron changed from searchlights to explosive ordinance disposal (EOD – or bomb disposal in layman’s language) and became part of 101 (London) Engineers Regiment (EOD) (V).
In 1999 with continuing changes by the Government in the Territorial Army and at the request of the Commanding Officer of 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment the Court agreed to transfer their affiliation to 579 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) (Volunteers) based in Tunbridge Wells. The Regiment has, over the recent years, had members posted to all the major world hot-spots where the British Servicemen have served, including Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Lightmongers’ Army Military Merit Award for excellence is sponsored by Liveryman Bob Harris with the Award being presented by the Master and the Sponsor at the Lightmonger Awards Dinner, usually held in March of each year. The nominations for the Award are made by the Commanding Officer of 579 Field Squadron.
Royal Navy
For many years our Naval affiliation was with the aircraft carriers HMS Invincible and HMS Illustrious.
Following the decommissioning of HMS Illustrious in August 2014 we were delighted to receive confirmation that our affiliation to the Royal Navy would be transferred to HMS Queen Elizabeth. We are privileged to have regular contact with the ship and it’s Company and occasionally be able to make visits.
We maintain our tradition of inviting the serving captain of our affiliated ship to be installed as an Honorary Freeman of the Lightmongers.
The Lightmongers’ Royal Navy Military Merit Award for excellence is sponsored by Past Master Jamie Berry, with the Award being presented by the Master and the Sponsor at the Lightmonger Awards Dinner, usually held in March of each year. The nominations for the Award are made by the Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth.
RAF Reserves
606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Benson
Company’s third Armed Services affiliation is with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and was made in 2004 with 606 Chiltern Squadron) based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. 606 comprises a Headquarters element and 4 operational flights; Logistics Engineering, Operations and Regiment, a total of 187 personnel to augment the support Helicopter force in times of crises and war. The Support Helicopter Force itself comprises of all of the Royal Air Force’s Support Helecopter Squadrons together with the associated ground forces required to conduct 24 hour operations in support of the British Army.
606 is part of the Joint Helicopter Command providing support to the operation of the tri-service command across the whole range of its work. It is unique in being the only Reserve Squadron to do so. Members of the squadron have again deployed across all the theatres in which the UK has been involved including Iraq, Afganistan and the Balkans.
The Lightmongers’ RAF Military Merit Award for excellence is sponsored by Past Master Rod Bennion with the Award being presented by the Master and the Sponsor at the Lightmonger Awards Dinner, usually held in March of each year. The nominations for the Award are made by the Commanding Officer of 606 Squadron.
Cadets
56 (Woolwich) ATC Royal Air Force Cadets and TS Wizard, Haringey SCC
The Lightmongers are proud to support two Cadet Units in London: 56 (Woolwich) ATC Royal Air Force Cadets and TS Wizard, Haringey SCC.
These affiliations were both formed in 2010 and have flourished with the support from both members and members’ companies.
Our cadet liasion officer is Liveryman Phil Webb.
The Lightmongers give donations in kind and financial support to both units and in return the cadets support our events including parading in the Lord mayor’s Show, the Christmas Carol Concert and our annual dinners.
