A bodyguard steeped in history: Meet the Tower of London's Yeoman Warders

With their distinctive black and red uniforms, emblazoned with royal livery, the Yeoman Warders are a quintessential British icon for the three million annual visitors to the Tower of London.

However, the role is much more than a ceremonial posting: Yeoman Warders must have served more than 22 years in the military at a rank of WO1 or WO2, or equivalent.

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Newly appointed Chief Yeoman Warder Paul Langley visited Afghanistan multiple times with the RAF and was part of the last British unit to leave Camp Bastion, while Yeoman Gaoler John Donald completed two tours of Northern Ireland and another of Iraq in 2005. 

With expectations of professionalism and military values, their new roles are a continuation of a lifetime of service.