At a ceremony witnessed by his family at the Guildhall, former Kingsbridge resident Commander Phil Game was granted the Freedom of the City of London
The honour was bestowed upon him in recognition of his service career and the close links he has established between his ship, HMS Duncan, and the Worshipful Company of Cooks.
Phil was joined by his wife, Sian who he met at Kingsbridge School, his twin brother Dave and his wife Nicola, and the boys’ mum Jill, who lives in Church Close, Kingsbridge.
Freedom of the City is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in existence today and is performed in the Guildhall by the Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court. The ceremony was followed by a formal lunch in the Chief Commoner’s Parlour in the Guildhall.
Phil said: “ It’s a great honour to be admitted as a Freeman and its testament to the close links that have been established between my new ship and the Worshipful Company of Cooks that I’ve been able to celebrate this with my family .”
Master Cook Geoffrey Osborne said: “ It’s been a real pleasure to elect Phil as Freeman. It is associated with a number of ancient privileges, including the right to herd sheep over London Bridge and to avoid being press-ganged… though that’s certainly a bit late for Phil !”
Phil, now 40, left Kingsbridge School in 1989 and joined the Royal Navy. His sea service has taken him across the globe, including both coasts of Africa, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. While shoreside he has been educated with two Masters Degrees and held a variety of posts including in weapons procurement and naval intelligence.
He is currently Senior Naval Officer of HMS Duncan, the sixth and final of the Navy’s powerful new Type 45 destroyers which is currently in-build on the Clyde and due to put to sea for the first time in the summer.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , May 01, 2012; Image: royalnavy