A Middlesex Mason At The Coronation
Middlesex Mason Bro Colin Coull, is a country member of the Lodge of Fidelity No 7974, and recently took part in the King’s Coronation procession. He originally joined the King’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard on the 2nd of May 2001 when it was known as the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard. He originally applied after meeting a former Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) at a social function whilst Colin was a Captain in the Army. He was told that he might fit the role as a Bodyguard. A few months later, he was sworn in as a Yeoman which is the lowest rank. He then progressed through ranks firstly to Yeoman Bed Hanger (YBH) who used to prepare the monarch’s bed and then to Yeoman Bed Goer (YBG) who used to sleep outside the monarch’s door. He subseaquently progressed to his current rank as Divisional Sergeant-Major (DSM) who commands one of the three divisions within the Bodyguard.
The Bodyguard was created by King Henry VII in 1485 and is the oldest Military Corps in existence, even older than the Swiss Guards at the Vatican and they have served the monarch continuously since it was formed, even during the period of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth when they guarded King Charles II in exile in France.
Their uniform is of a Tudor design and is sometimes confused with the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) who guard the Tower of London. However, the Yeoman of the Guard can be distinguished from the Yeoman Warders by a cross belt that runs diagonally across the front of their tunics.
Bro Colin was also involved in the late Queen’s funeral when he stood vigil by her coffin and later took part in service at Westminster Abbey.
He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (RVM) in 2022, when he was selected by Her Majesty, the Queen for this honour, but it was presented to him by Prince Charles at the time. Bro Colin is planning to retire from the Bodyguard in July this year (2023). To him, it has been an absolute honour to serve the Queen and now the King.