Abigail Sannoh, a nurse corporal in the Royal Air Force, tried for years to get a pair of Wimbledon tickets for herself and her father, Mohamed Sannoh, an avid tennis fan like her son a girl. But the effort proved fruitless. So, he found another way to the grounds that allows Sannoh to be on all 14 days of Wimbledon, with a great view of Center Court.
He applied, and was accepted, to be a service steward, part of a program in which 477 members of the three branches of Britain’s military work at the world’s most famous tennis tournament as stewards, what Americans call ushers.
“My father got a ticket and saw me working here,” Sannoh said last week. “It’s very exciting for both of us.”
Since 1946, when soldiers demobilized from World War II were first commissioned, non-commissioned officers (mostly corporals and sergeants) have been stationed at multiple entrances in each section of Center Court and Court 1, with strict orders to be helpful, talkative. and look smart in their crisp uniforms. This is one of the features that makes Wimbledon such a unique event, and there are also 250 members of the fire brigade who act as stewards on a handful of the outdoor courts.
Their only weapons are a disarming charm and a polite eagerness to help the fans and their fellow stewards. There are no barking dogs, bulletproof vests, boots, camouflage fatigues or any of the intimidating regalia often seen at major sporting events elsewhere. Although these sailors, soldiers and cadets are employed, they are technically not on active military duty.
“We’re here to entertain people,” said James Brooks, moments after taking a photo for two fans in front of Center Court as he walked inside to take his position.
Brooks, who served three tours in Afghanistan and has been on duty around the world, is among the most prominent of the trustees, whose role is perhaps the closest anyone has come to policing. During the changes, he and the other service stewards stood at attention in the court, looking behind the stands, to prevent any would-be invaders of the court.
Next to him on Friday was Miriam Charlton, who spent 37 years in the Navy. She began a difficult time for military women, who were sometimes not given consideration when they had children, sometimes being moved from one base to another until they quit. She was sent to the Falklands for six months from 1994 to 1995 after having two children, and was only allowed one phone call a week for three minutes.
He stayed in the military and attitudes changed so he was asked to form a small parent support unit to help parents in the navy. Charlton said the Navy now retains more than 90 percent of women after they have children, compared to 52 percent when he started the program seven years ago. He received an MBE distinction (Member of the Order of the British Empire) from Princess Anne for his work.
Being honored like that is fine, but watching Wimbledon up close on Center Court for 14 days in a row?
“It doesn’t get any better,” he said. “It’s up there with the top moments of my career.”
Each year, approximately 1,000 military members apply for coveted positions and 40 percent of recruits are new each year.
“I don’t want this to be a club where some people feel like they won’t get a chance to do it,” said Lt. Cdr. Chris Boucher, the officer in charge of all trustees. “No one has a special right to be here.”
No rank at Wimbledon, either, said Boucher, whose job in the Navy is to mobilize personnel for everything from the queen’s funeral to tactical operations around the world. Administrators address each other using first names in an informal, collegial and respectful environment, except on a few rare occasions over the years.
“There is no ranking unless necessary,” he said.
Other visible military stewards, particularly on television, are the three stationed in the Royal Box, which is fully manned by service stewards. They all wear clean clothes, as if presenting for inspection. None, but it’s almost unheard of for anyone to be seen with spaghetti sauce or coffee stains on their bright white, blue or khaki shirt.
“Millions of eyes are on you,” Boucher said. “Do not be like that.”
Katie Patterson, a corporal in the Royal Air Force police, was assigned to Gangway 6 in Court No. 1 on Sunday, helping spectators find seats and politely asking loud fans in the corridor for “a little quiet.” Viewers love to ask questions about his RAF duties and request a photo.
One little girl was particularly offended, so Patterson gave his rank slide (the insignia on his shoulder indicating his rank) to the girl, who was delighted. Patterson also had a chance to hit it off, when Nick Grimshaw, a popular television and radio personality, was waiting in line at Gangway 6. They chatted for a few minutes and, like many fans, he wanted to know the about his life in the air force.
George Fynn Carr of the Navy works in Gangway 6 with Patterson in one of the many interservice partnerships forged during the tournament. The pairs alternate their positions, one at the bottom of the stairs helping people in line, and another at the top, who can show fans their seats and then watch the action. They should also accommodate any lost or unruly fans, or any situation that requires attention.
A huge tennis fan, Carr emigrated from Ghana 14 years ago and joined the Navy after gaining British citizenship. Much of his time at Wimbledon is spent posing for photographs in his white and navy blue uniform and hat, and answering questions about all his deployments — Crete, Guam, Kenya, the mainland United States.
“On a ship, you’re in a metal container in the ocean and you have to be a team,” Carr said. “It’s the same here at Wimbledon.”
As Carr spoke, an Army noncommissioned officer from another gangway informed him that “two blokes” had jumped the rows of seats, clearly ticketless. Carr immediately left to investigate.
In order to join this select force, supervisors must use their vacation, which consumes two weeks of vacation. But one of the rewards comes on the first Saturday of the tournament each year, when an announcement is made recognizing their contributions. The fans rose to their feet with sustained applause in an emotional show of appreciation.
“Being here is a privilege, even though we’re working,” said Suen Simpson, a staff sergeant in the Army, who would not disclose the locations of his deployments. However, for these two weeks, he was assigned to Gangway 22 in Court No. 1 in one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
“It’s a blessing that I was chosen,” he said.
