New yeoman gaoler to welcome visitors at reopened Tower of London
The postholder is the second in command of the Yeoman Body and responsible for the 32 other beefeaters.
A new yeoman gaoler will welcome visitors to the reopened Tower of London as it lowers its drawbridge to the public after the coronavirus lockdown.
Beefeater Serjeant Rob Fuller will take over the prestigious role of gaoler, who was traditionally in charge of prisoners at the 11th century fortress.
The postholder is the second in command of the Yeoman Body at the tower and is responsible for the 32 other yeoman warders, more commonly known as beefeaters.
Serjeant Fuller will become the first former member of the Royal Navy to hold the position, taking over from Jim Duncan RVM.
To qualify for the role of yeoman warder, applicants must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces, hold the long service and good conduct medal and have reached the level of warrant officer or equivalent.
After six years as a warder, he was promoted to yeoman serjeant – a role he fulfilled until his recent promotion.
He said: “It was an honour to become a yeoman warder and then a yeoman serjeant – but the yeoman gaoler position tops the lot.
“I feel very privileged to be the first former member of the Royal Navy to hold the position of gaoler and look forward to getting stuck in as we open the doors to visitors once again.”
The attraction reopened its doors to the public on Thursday.
It was forced to close during England’s second national lockdown.
