Yeoman gaoler starts work by welcoming visitors back to Tower of London after Covid lockdown

The beefeaters get a new boss as a new yeoman gaoler starts work by welcoming visitors back to the Tower of London after the coronavirus lockdown. 

Beefeater Serjeant Rob Fuller will take over the prestigious role of gaoler, becoming the first former member of the Royal Navy to hold the position, taking over from Jim Duncan RVM.

The postholder is the second in command of the Yeoman Body at the tower and is responsible for the 32 other yeoman warders, popularly known as the Beefeaters.

Traditionally the role involved being in charge of the prisoners of the Tower.    

The yeoman gaoler still carries the infamous ceremonial axe and is involved in the Ceremony of the Keys, which has taken place every night at the tower for at least 700 years. 

Applicant for the role of yeoman warder must be former warrant officers with at least 22 years of service, hold the long service and good conduct medal. 

Serjeant Fuller, who was born in Neasden, north-west London, applied to become a yeoman warder in 2011 after 34 years of duty with the Royal Navy.

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.’ 

Yeoman warders at the London landmark will be among those welcoming visitors to the Tower of London.  

The Tower reopened to the public today after it was forced to close during England’s second national lockdown.