For the first time in their proud history, soldiers based in Stafford are stepping into the limelight of royal tradition, taking up ceremonial duties to guard the King and royal palaces.
Starting today, troops from the 22nd Signal Regiment, Royal Corps of Signals usually found ensuring secure communications for NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps will swap their high-tech equipment for ceremonial uniforms and drills. These soldiers, stationed at Beacon Barracks in Stafford, will now stand guard at iconic locations such as Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, and the Tower of London.
And it hasn’t been a walk in the park to prepare for this historic duty.
From Signals to Ceremony
The transition to ceremonial duties has been no small feat for these soldiers, particularly for the 222nd Signal Squadron, which makes up the majority of the team. Daily training sessions lasting up to five hours have been the norm as they’ve worked to perfect the precision and discipline required for ceremonial drill, a far cry from their usual focus on cutting edge military communication systems.
As Staff Sergeant Durham, the squadron’s drill instructor, candidly put it:
“Drill is not part of our lives as Royal Signal soldiers. While we all learn the basics during training, for many of us, it’s been a long time since we’ve done anything this demanding. Dusting off the cobwebs has been a challenge, but one we’ve embraced.”
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Honour
The excitement among the soldiers is palpable. For Cyber Engineer Jack Speight, aged 24, the significance of the opportunity is crystal clear.
“It’s a big privilege. Not every day do you get to go to London and guard the King, it’s quite prestigious. It’s something I’ll look back on in years to come and feel incredibly proud of,” he said.
Reflecting on their progress, he added:
“We’ve come so far since the start. This ceremonial drill is entirely new for many of us, but with a fantastic instructor and a strong team spirit, we’re hitting the standards required. It’s been tough, but immensely rewarding.”
A Local Connection to Tradition
For Major Rebecca Parkinson, the Officer Commanding 222 Signal Squadron, this moment carries an added layer of personal pride. Stoke born and bred, with family ties to areas such as Packmoor, Tunstall, and Burslem, Major Parkinson is bringing a touch of local representation to the royal ceremonial stage.
Speaking about the preparation process, she said:
“We’ve spent about two months getting everything ready, from demanding the required equipment to drilling on the parade square for five to six hours a day. For me, the last time I did drill was at Sandhurst 12 years ago. It’s been about refining what we all learned in basic training and raising it to palace standards.”
Behind the Tradition
The Royal Corps of Signals plays a vital role in the modern Army, ensuring its operations remain connected and secure. From encrypting sensitive communications to enabling global operations, their expertise lies in complex technology and problem-solving.
But now, these Staffordshire soldiers are about to step into a role steeped in centuries-old tradition, one that demands poise, discipline, and pride.
As the squadron takes their places outside the royal palaces, they’re not just protecting the monarchy they’re making history.
