In the past, the Company’s role within the City involved the provision of arms and soldiers as and when required. At times it kept a store of arms and gunpowder in Drapers’ Hall. From the 17th century, with the formation of London’s trained armed forces, this role ceased but the link with the military is perpetuated through affiliations.
HMS Cardiff
An affiliation between the Company and ship was established in 2022. HMS Cardiff is a City Class Type 26 frigate, an advanced anti-submarine warfare vessel designed to provide essential protection to the UK’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
HMS Cardiff is the fourth ship to bear this name after the Welsh capital city. She was built by BAE Systems in Govan shipyard on the river Clyde and was floated off in August 2024. After Float off, the ship was fitted out with its equipment in the Scotstoun shipyard and will conduct sea trials prior to delivery to the fleet in 2028.
The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
The affiliation between the Company and the Welsh Guards was formed in 2007.
The Welsh Guards are Wales’s Senior Infantry Regiment. Based at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, at its core the regiment is a Light Role Infantry, trained to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice. It also has Ceremonial duties, guarding the Royal Family and Royal palaces and conducting State Ceremonial duties.
The Welsh Guards was formed on 26 February 1915 by order of King George V. The Regiment saw active service in the First and Second World Wars since when it has served in Palestine, Egypt, Aden, Cyprus, Germany and Northern Ireland; fought in the1982 Falklands campaign; and completed tours of Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2026, the Battalion relocated to Cyprus for a two-year posting on the Sovereign Base Areas, the British Overseas Territories on Cyprus.
The Regiment is very much a family unit and maintains strong links with Wales. More than 90 per cent of its soldiers come from the Principality. Its motto is ‘Cymru am Byth’ (Wales forever).
The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel Beare.
71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment
An affiliation was established with the Regiment in 1982. The Regiment was formed in 1969 and is the only Army Reserve Royal Signals unit in 3rd United Kingdom Division, also known as ‘The Iron Division’. The Regiment is tasked to provide Land Rover-based Communications Information Systems and Defensive Cyber specialists as part of its operational capability.
Key deployments have involved personnel supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Bosnia and Northern Ireland; and providing Information and Communications Services in expeditionary roles alongside regular forces. During national crises, such as the COVID-19 response, reservists contributed to frontline medical support and broader military aid efforts.
The Commanding Officer is Lieutenant-Colonel David Burnett.
The Honorary Colonel is Tim Orchard, who is a Past Master of the Drapers’ Company.
RAF Shawbury
The Company’s affiliation with RAF Shawbury began in 2007. RAF Shawbury provide training to around 900 personnel a year, from the UK Armed Forces and international partners.
No. 1 Flying Training School trains helicopter aircrew for the Armed Forces. The Central Flying School (Helicopter) delivers Qualified Helicopter Instructors. The Defence College of Air and Space Operations trains Air Traffic Controllers, Weapons Controllers, Identification Officers and Flight Operations personnel.
The Station Commander is Wing Commander Paddy Durnin RAF.
