November 7th, 2025
On November 6, eleven Canadian Armed Forces veterans from the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires travelled to London, England, to participate in the United Kingdom’s National Service of Remembrance. The visit represents not only a ceremonial honour but also a milestone in the long-standing relationship between the Canadian and UK Corps of Commissionaires, which are united by a shared purpose.
The idea for this year’s contingent began earlier in 2025, when representatives from Corps Security (the UK Corps of Commissionaires) joined the Canadian Corps in celebrating our Centennial at the Annual Meeting of Divisions (AMOD). They participated in a fireside chat on the future of veterans’ support and employment, sharing insights on how Corps Security operates and highlighting the similarities and differences between the two organizations.
Upon their return to the United Kingdom, Corps Security proudly flew the Canadian Corps’ Centennial flag outside its headquarters at Market House – a powerful gesture of friendship and shared values that cross borders and generations.
Their attendance at our AMOD sparked an idea. During discussions between the Commissionaires National Business Management Committee (NBMC) Chair/GL Division CEO Geoff Hamilton and leadership from Corps Security, Divisions across Canada were invited to nominate a representative to join the contingent. Veterans from 11 of 15 Divisions were able to participate.
From November 7-11, during the week of remembrance, the contingent will participate in several key events alongside its UK counterparts. The itinerary includes the Remembrance Sunday Parade along Whitehall and the Cenotaph, a formal luncheon at Market House, and the Armistice Day service at Brookwood Cemetery.
For many, this experience will be deeply personal. Marching once more, this time in London, shoulder to shoulder with fellow veterans from the UK Corps, represents a powerful moment of shared service that resonates deeply with those in attendance. The Canadian contingent will carry with them not only the memory of those who served, but also the stories of their continued commitment to community and country through their work as commissionaires.
“Remembrance is not just about looking back,” said Don Thompson, CEO of Commissionaires Hamilton Division. “It is about honouring the past through the way we continue to serve today.” That sentiment echoes throughout the organization, where thousands of veterans continue to uphold Commissionaires’ founding purpose.
As the Canadian Corps marks its 100th year, this collaboration with the UK Corps reaffirms that remembrance is not confined to a single ceremony or day. It lives in the actions and values of those who continue to serve – in Canada, in the United Kingdom – and wherever commissionaires stand together.
