‘At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them.’
The Armistice was an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War. It began at 11am on 11 November 1918. Thenceforth, on ‘Remembrance Day’ the nation holds a two-minute silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. On that day, we will remember them.
Each Remembrance Day, SEP’s security team will also remember them. We remember all those who gave their lives during the First World War and all wars and conflicts that have followed.
However, at SEP, Remembrance Day has a special significance. Three members of SEP’s security team are ex-servicemen. They are Paul Cameron our security manager and two security officers. We asked them to briefly describe their service careers and explain to us what Remembrance Day means to them. Unfortunately, for operational reasons, we cannot name or show a photograph of the security officers.
Security Officer 1
“I signed up for the British Army when I was twenty years of age, serving for almost a decade as a Cavalryman in the Royal Armoured Corps.
Amongst other things, I deployed as a Driver to Bosnia, part of a Close Protection team to Iraq, and a Crew Commander to Afghanistan.
The military gave me experiences, challenges, and friends, the kind no other career could have provided; friends I still have to this day, and friends that will live on in the memories I will never forget.”
Security Officer 2
“I joined the Army in 1965 in the Royal Military Police. I served in Edinburgh prior to transferring to the Parachute Regiment in 1969.
In 1970, I transferred to the Royal Signals as a Special Telegraphist and served in Northern Ireland, Oman, Cyprus, Belize, Falklands Islands, Cyprus, Germany, Berlin, and Gulf War 1.
During my service, I have had to deal with death. This is something a solider must do.
I retired in 1991 after serving just over 26 years.
From 1991 to 1997, I worked in security, but then I once again joined the army in the Royal Military Police. I retired in 2003 at the age of 55 after completing nearly 33 ½ years.
Remembrance to me is not what you see. People with medals like I have and people on parades, it is what is in your mind. You remember things that can keep you awake some nights, and you remember mates you have seen killed.”
Paul Cameron
“I joined the Royal Navy in 1981 (at the rather old age of 20) and was the second oldest of the whole entry of new trainees at that time.
After completing 22 years continuous service, I left in 2003 after serving on numerous ships and shore bases.
My operational postings/deployments included the Falkland Islands (twice), Middle East deployments (four times), Northern Ireland, Whitehall, Gibraltar (3 years), and NATO deployments to name a few, along with many others.
I also had Instructor officer postings to HMS Raleigh teaching new entry personnel basic training and RNR officer instruction in Communications. Permanent Staff Instructor for Communications training of RNR trainees.
Remembrance Day to me is not about glorifying any war. It’s about remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during all conflicts.
Hopefully bringing together everyone as well as being a personal time to reflect.”
We Will Remember Together
We work with our partners Mitie to provide an extensive range of security services. Moreover, Mitie also acknowledge the importance of ex service personnel to the security industry. Accordingly, Mitie support the Government’s 2018 Strategy for Veterans.
For this reason, Mitie have launched a Remember Together campaign.
At 10.30am, on Thursday 11 November, all Mitie colleagues are invited to join a live call. During the call, a Remembrance Day programme will celebrate the Army, Navy and Air Force as well as a number of specialist branches and supporting organisations.
The session will end with a company-wide two minute silence at 11am to remember those who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world.
Valuable skills
In the present day, veterans bring important skills to the security industry
- Professionalism
- Reliability
- Ability to perform well under pressure
- Being a team player
- Ethos of discipline and hard work
At SEP, we know that our veterans are helping our security team to do a great job at keeping you and the park, safe and secure.