A FORMER RAF serviceman has swapped his Royal Air Force wings for a Tudor uniform by becoming the newest Beefeater at the Tower of London.

Spike Abbott, from Abingdon, has joined 36 other Yeoman Warders living out their retirement as full-time custodians of the Tower.

Mr Abbott has now moved into a flat within the Tower and is studying frantically for a test to pass his six-month probation period.

Yeoman Warders are descended from the ancient band of warders who guarded the Tower’s gates and royal prisoners, as well as the Crown Jewels.

The 53-year-old said: “It’s great to continue serving the sovereign and it’s fantastic living in the heart of London in such a vibrant area “I’m living in a two-bedroom flat in a converted hospital block with all the other Beefeaters. It’s got a village feel. We even have our own pub, the Yeoman’s Club.”

Only ex-servicemen with at least 22 years under their belt can take on the traditional ceremonial role, which nowadays also involves showing tourists around the London attraction.

Mr Abbott joined the RAF in 1980 and was stationed at RAF Abingdon the following year, where he worked with the aircraft salvage and transportation flight.

In 1983 he moved to Germany with 20 Squadron working as a mechanic on Jaguar planes.

In 1988 he was stationed at RAF Lyneham in 47 Hercules Squadron as a loadmaster, helping with cargo and refuelling, before moving to RAF Brize Norton in 1992 working with Vickers VC10s as part of a support crew, and later on with 99 Squadron as a loadmaster on the C17s.

He reached the rank of Master Aircrewman before retiring in April.

Throughout all of that he was able to stay in his Abingdon home. He said: “I was fortunate to be right in the middle of the flying stations in Abingdon, and was able to stay there, which is rare in the military world. I’m very attached to the place.”

For the time being, his biggest challenge will be learning “The Story” – a potted history of the Tower from 1066 until the present day.

It’s told by Beefeaters to visitors during their 50-minute tours of the Tower. To pass his probation, Mr Abbott must learn it word-for-word.

He said: “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done.”

Mr Abbott’s wife Lisa, 51, who volunteers at Abingdon Museum, will join him in his new flat soon. Son Luke, 24, will stay in Abingdon to look after their house.

Mr Abbott added: “My wife can be a lady of leisure when she comes here. She can’t wait to get here and start experiencing London life.”