Taking the challenge to our city streets

Volume 48, No. 19, October 19, 2006

An Air Force Freedom of Entry ceremony in full swing.

THE ceremony of Freedom of Entry or, more correctly, Freedom of Entry to a City, is one of the oldest military traditions.

The granting of Freedom of Entry dates back to medieval times when, throughout England and Europe, the land-owning nobles maintained what were effectively private armies. Before entering a city, armed bodies of men would be challenged with the traditional sentry’s challenge, “Halt, who goes there?” The unit’s commander would show a certificate, which proved his men had permission to enter and the unit would then be permitted into the city.

Today, the privilege of Freedom of Entry to a city is a ceremonial event, and is the highest honour a city can extend to a unit of the Armed Forces as a symbol of mutual respect, trust and confidence.

During the granting ceremony, the scroll extending the Freedom will be presented to the unit at a special parade, normally held in the city centre. The unit and its Colour are paraded in full ceremony and the city’s Lord Mayor or high-ranking civic official will attend to inspect the unit and present the special scroll to the unit CO.

Next is the exercising of the Freedom, which occurs as soon as the granting parade is concluded and is normally reserved for special occasions.

The unit will enter the city in parade order and will be challenged, with the traditional call, normally by a senior police officer, representing civil authority. The unit CO will respond and show him the scroll. The officer will then permit the unit to pass, where it will proceed through the streets, with an “Eyes Right” at the Town Hall.

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Information sourced from Minister of Defence, United Kingdom.

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