Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State
Encyclopedia
The Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State is an officer of the British Royal Household
. He is responsible for bearing the Sword of State
before the monarch on ceremonial occasions. However, the Gentleman Usher was removed from the procession at the State Opening of Parliament
in 1998.
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
. He is responsible for bearing the Sword of State
Sword of State
A sword of state is a sword, used as part of the regalia, symbolizing the power of a monarch to use the might of the state against its enemies, and their duty to preserve thus right and peace.It is known to be used in following monarchies:...
before the monarch on ceremonial occasions. However, the Gentleman Usher was removed from the procession at the State Opening of Parliament
State Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
in 1998.
List of Gentlemen Ushers to the Sword of State
- 10 January 1837 – 1874?: Sir William Martins
- vacant
- 23 July 1901 – 1 December 1915: Sir Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-FaneSpencer Ponsonby-FaneSir Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby, later Ponsonby-Fane, GCB ISO was an English cricketer and civil servant.He was born in 1824 in Mayfair, the sixth son of John Ponsonby, 4th Earl of Bessborough.-Cricket:...
- 27 June 1919 – 20 May 1924: Sir William Edward Goschen, 1st Baronet
- 3 November 1924 – 1933: Sir Reginald BradeSir Reginald BradeSir Reginald Herbert Brade, GCB was a British civil servant.-Life:Brade was educated at Bradfield College in the small village of Bradfield in the English county of Berkshire. He entered the War Office as Clerk of the Higher Division of the Civil Service in 1884...
- 10 March 1933 – 22 March 1946: Lieutenant General Sir Lewis Stratford Tollemache HallidayLewis Stratford Tollemache HallidayGeneral Sir Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday VC, KCB was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:Halliday was 30 years old, and a captain in the...
- 22 March 1946 – 4 November 1966: Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Sheridan BarrattArthur BarrattAir Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Sheridan Barratt KCB CMG MC was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II.-RAF career:...
- 3 February 1967 – 1973: Sir William Gurdon StirlingWilliam Stirling (British Army officer)General Sir William Gurdon Stirling GCB CBE DSO was a British Army General who reached high office during the 1960s.-Military career:...
- 26 October 1973 – 7 April 1980: Sir Desmond Parry DreyerDesmond DreyerAdmiral Sir Desmond Parry Dreyer GCB CBE DSC DL was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
- 7 April 1980 – 2 May 1988: Air Chief Marshal Sir John BarracloughJohn Barraclough (RAF officer)Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough KCB, CBE, DFC, AFC was a World War II pilot who went on to become Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.-RAF career:...
- 2 May 1988 – 1997: General Sir Edward BurgessEdward Burgess (British Army officer)General Sir Edward Arthur Burgess KCB OBE is a British Army General who served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.-Military career:Educated at Bloxham School, Edward Burgess was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1948....
- 1997 – 1 December 2005: Admiral Sir Michael LayardMichael LayardAdmiral Sir Michael Henry Gordon Layard KCB CBE is a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
- 1 December 2005 – present: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison