Talk: Royal Marines / Canterbury Cathedral

BRIGADIER JOHN MEARDON DL

1965       Commissioned into the Royal Marines

1967       First posting after commando training to 45 Commando in Aden. Interesting year concluding with the withdrawal from the former colony.

1971       Pilot training with the Army at Middle Wallop. Qualified to fly the Sioux (Bell 47 G4A) and subsequently in later years the Scout, Gazelle and Lynx.

1979     Attended RAF Staff College, Bracknell.

1980       Amphibious Operations Officer, HMS Hermes 

1985       Commanded 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron (6 Lynx, 12 Gazelles). Achieved a total of 2500 hours flying, 230 deck landings and survived 2 unplanned landings.

1987       MOD. Desk officer for Northern Ireland and Special Forces (on the Army staff).

1989       Commanded Commachio Group RM, defence of nuclear deterrent assets and oil rigs

1992       MOD. Colonel GS for the Royal Marines

1994       Director of Naval Security. Retired 1998.

1998       Joined Canterbury Cathedral as the Receiver General (Chief Executive and senior lay member of staff). During 18 years at the Cathedral oversaw events large and small, including 2 Royal visits, 2 Lambeth Conferences, very significant (and expensive) conservation work to the Cathedral fabric, the building of the Cathedral Lodge and a doubling of staff.

2008      Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Kent

2016       Retired.