Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State

Updated on Nov 19, 2023

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The Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State is an officer of the British Royal Household. He is responsible for bearing the Sword of State before the monarch on ceremonial occasions. However, the Gentleman Usher was removed from the procession at the State Opening of Parliament in 1998.

List of Gentlemen Ushers to the Sword of State

10 January 1837 – 1874?: Sir William Martins

vacant

23 July 1901 – 1 December 1915: Sir Spencer Cecil Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane

27 June 1919 – 20 May 1924: Sir William Edward Goschen, 1st Baronet

3 November 1924 – 1933: Sir Reginald Brade

10 March 1933 – 22 March 1946: Lieutenant General Sir Lewis Stratford Tollemache Halliday

22 March 1946 – 4 November 1966: Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Sheridan Barratt

3 February 1967 – 1973: Sir William Gurdon Stirling

26 October 1973 – 7 April 1980: Sir Desmond Parry Dreyer

7 April 1980 – 2 May 1988: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough

2 May 1988 – 1997: General Sir Edward Burgess

1997 – 1 December 2005: Admiral Sir Michael Layard

1 December 2005 – present: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison

References

Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State Wikipedia

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