Pictured: Neil Athron veteran RAF Regiment and Steve Rowland receiving the award from Sir Ken Olisa OBE, CStJ, FRSA, FBCS – HM Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Air Vice Marshal Ranald Munro, Captain Paul Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Darren Johnston
Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors, one of London’s leading and most respected funeral directors, is proud to announce it has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. This prestigious award is the Ministry of Defence’s highest level of recognition for businesses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The Gold Award highlights Rowland Brothers’ sustained dedication to fostering a supportive environment for military personnel, veterans, and their families. The company has actively promoted the Armed Forces Covenant, an initiative that pledges support to those who serve or have served in the UK Armed Forces, ensuring they and their families are treated with fairness and respect.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Gold Award,” said a Steve Rowland, Managing Director from Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors. “Supporting the Armed Forces is at the heart of our values. Our commitment to veterans and serving personnel, whether through employment, partnerships, or dedicated services, is a fundamental part of who we are as an organization.”
Over the years, Rowland Brothers has undertaken various initiatives to provide employment opportunities and tailored services for former military personnel, building partnerships with veteran organisations and working closely with families to meet the specific needs of the Armed Forces community. The company’s actions reflect a deep-rooted respect for the sacrifices made by service members and demonstrate an ongoing pledge to help those who have served.
Tony Rowland and Steve Rowland signing the Armed Forces Covenant
The Rowland Family have a distinguished history of military service spanning multiple generations.
Admiral Sir Edward James Reed (1830–1906): Tony Rowland’s great-grandfather, Sir Edward, served as the Chief Architect of the Royal Navy from 1863 to 1870. During his tenure, he oversaw the transition from wooden ships to ironclad warships, including the design of HMS Bellerophon, HMS Monarch, and HMS Devastation. He was also a Liberal politician, serving in the House of Commons from 1874 to 1906.
Clarence “Arthur” Rowland: Tony Rowland’s father, Arthur, joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. He served in the Middle East and participated in the Battle of El Alamein in 1942, and subsequently served as a medic in the British Hospital in Jerusalem
James William “Jimmy” Rowland: Tony’s uncle, Jimmy, enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1942. He took part in the D-Day landings in 1944.
Tony Rowland: Tony completed his national service in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps from March 1957 to March 1959. He was stationed at Blackdown near Woking and later at Didcot, serving as a lance corporal, camp carpenter, and for six weeks as the regimental drill instructor.
The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is given to businesses that not only demonstrate commitment but go above and beyond in their support. Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors’ Gold Award is a testament to their proactive approach in recruiting veterans, ensuring accessible services, and advocating for the Armed Forces community. They currently employ several veterans from the RAF Regiment, Grenadier Guards, Royal Green Jackets, the Royal Irish Regiment, and a number of Reservists.
Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors joins an elite group of organisations recognised for their outstanding support of the UK’s Armed Forces. They were the first funeral directors in the UK to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and one of two to receive the Gold Award. This award strengthens their position as a leader in compassionate and inclusive funeral services and highlights their ongoing dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of service members and veterans.
About Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors
Founded in 1873, Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors has over 150 years of experience providing compassionate and professional funeral services. As a family-run business, they are dedicated to serving communities across the UK with a commitment to excellence, understanding, and respect for all. Their support for the Armed Forces reflects their values of honour, dignity, and a deep sense of community service.
