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For the first time in almost a thousand years, a Royal Marine is picking up the Tower of London keys.
Sir Gordon Messenger was installed on Thursday as the 161st Constable of the Tower of London.
The role is one of the oldest in the country – since 1078, the Constable of the Tower has been the crown’s chief agent in the capital, watching over prisoners and overseeing operations and security.
Sir Gordon brings with him a long list of military achievements, including service as the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff between 2016 and 2019.
He commanded the Royal Marines during the Iraq War, leading 40 Commando in the assault on the Al Faw Peninsula.
He was the British Commander of Task Force Helmand in Afghanistan in 2008, served on the 2004 tsunami relief effort, and was awarded an OBE for his services in Kosovo in 2000.
The first four-star Royal Marine General to be appointed since 1977, he is also the first Royal Marine to become Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom.
He will succeed General the Lord Houghton of Richmond CBE, who held the Tower’s top job since 2016.
