In time honoured fashion, the Clerk declares to the assemble diners at the Nomination Dinner:
” Under the Company’s Charter, which was granted in the year 1637, it was ordained that the Master for the time being should, on the first Thursday following the Feast of St. Bartholomew (the 24th day of August) nominate and elect one of the Wardens or Assistants for the time being, to be Master for the following year. By a supplementary Charter granted in the year 1892, the date for the Nomination and Election of the Master was altered to the Third Thursday in the month of October.
“At the Nomination Court, which was duly Held on Thursday, 21st October of this year, in compliance with the terms of these Charters, GRAHAM ALEXANDER FENTON HILL was nominated and elected as Master for the ensuing year.
The Master Elect puts on the Master’s Gown, reads his Declaration and is invested with the Badge of Office by his predecessor. He holds the keys to the Proof House aloft in triumph, and thus starts another year in the life of the Gunmakers’ Company, with a new Master in charge.
For those who were able to attend, the Nomination Dinner this year on 10 November in the splendid surrounds of Clothworkers’ Hall was a great success. There was a strong turn out at the Service of Thanksgiving held at St Olave’s Church beforehand and the chatter in the reception suggested that Gunmakers and their guests were in excited mood and pleased to be back face to face again.
The outgoing Master, Daryl Greatrex, in his speech, welcomed guests, including from our affiliated units, and announced the prizes – Ms Saija Koskialho, the McMillan Trophy winner and Lance Corporal Yugman Rai, the top DSEME Armourer (not present). The new Master, Major Graham Hill VR, made a clear commitment to the Gunmakers’ Company Charitable Trust, stated the importance of supporting the Proof House and drew attention to the healthy programme of events for 2022. As ever, he concluded with the Toast:
” The Gunmakers’ Company, may it flourish root and branch for ever”.
Ms Saija Koskialho receives the McMillan Trophy winner from the outgoing Master
