Military Affiliations
The Stationers’ Company is proud of its affiliations with His Majesty’s Royal Marines and with the Special Forces Support Group.
For centuries, the Stationers’ Company has supported the British armed forces, from raising and equipping militia in defence of the City of London and the Realm to supporting military families and rehabilitating wounded service men and women.
In 1949, the affiliation with the Royal Marines began when Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre MP suggested it to the then Master, Mr (later Sir) Guy Harrison, a former Royal Marine.
Originally it was proposed as an affiliation with the Royal Marines Reserve unit in London, but this was changed to embrace the whole Corps before the link was finalised.
The Company supports the Royal Marines in various ways. It holds a Royal Marines Day each year, at which the top students of three courses held at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines are presented with their awards at Stationers’ Hall. It presents prizes to the top recruit completing the Commando course from RMR London, as well as awards for Royal Marines Cadets. Also, the Company donates financially each year to the work of the Royal Marines Charity.
The Queen’s and Regimental Colours were presented to 45 Commando Royal Marines by the Captain-General H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 29 November 1952 at Floriana, Malta G.C.
In 1969 H.M. Queen Elizabeth II presented new Colours to 45 Commando. The original Colours were then presented to the Master by the Officer Commanding 45 Commando and lodged for safekeeping at Stationers’ Hall for safekeeping on 18 November 1969 in the presence of the Lord Mayor of London, the Chief of Staff and other Officers of the Royal Marines.
The Stationers’ Company is privileged to have the honour of lodging these Colours and is fiercely proud of its association with His Majesty’s Royal Marines.
The Special Forces Strike Group (SFSG)
The affiliation with the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) was initiated in 2024. The Stationers’ Company continues to support the SFSG in whatever way they can, including financial support to the Churchill Lines Foundation (CLF), the unit’s charity. The CLF supports the rehabilitation and welfare of the unit and their families.
The Stationers’ Company remains fiercely proud of its association with the SFSG and the incredible work they do in defending our democracy and way of life.
The Armed Forces Covenant
On 15th April 2025, the Company reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. The then Master, Paul Wilson, signed the Covenant with the Royal Marines Corps Secretary Lt Col (Rtd) Gary Green OBE RM in the presence of Honorary Colonel RM Lord Sewill GCMG, other members of the Armed Forces Community and members of the Stationers’ Court.
