The Gibraltar Government pays a fond farewell to departing Governor Davis and his wife

THE Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo hosted a farewell party for departing Governor, His Excellency, Lieutenant-General Edward Davis CB CBE after four years of service on the Rock.

The Governor had a long a distinguished career in the Royal Marines and served in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands as well as spending some time with NATO in Turkey.

He endeared himself to many local people as during his term he wore a cap badge with the word “Gibraltar” on it that commemorates the capture and defence of the Rock.

One of the many ways in which he has discharged his representation of Her Majesty the Queen has been on the parade ground, not least in the Ceremony of the Keys.

Since the capture of the Rock in 1704, the Keys of Gibraltar have symbolised the possession of the Fortress by Great Britain and these Keys have come to be regarded as the seals of office of the Governor and as such are handed over from one Governor to the next.

In order to thank the Governor and his wife Lorraine for all of their positive work during their four year stay in Gibraltar, the government presented them with a mini replica in Sterling Silver of the Iron Keys to the Fortress that has held on parade at successive Ceremonies of the Keys.