Your basic Infrantry Regment within the British Army

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#21

Also on www.military-bands.co.uk/life_guards.html

The history of The Life Guards begins in 1659 at the Court of the exiled King Charles II in Holland. A number of loyal gentlemen led by Lord Gerard of Brandon formed themselves into the King’s Life Guard, a personal duty to the Monarch that has been carried on through the centuries by the Household Cavalry and that is symbolised today by the Guard Mounting Ceremony at Horse Guards, Whitehall in London.

A year later, by the time of the Restoration, the Life Guards had grown in number from the original 80 to some 600, and in recognition of their loyalty, they were accorded the honour of escorting the King on his entry into London on 29 May 1660. Even at this early stage, music was important to the Guard, it being recorded that each of the three Troops that day was preceded by its own kettledrummer and four trumpeters.

My red.

#22

Weren’t the Coldstream Guards the oldest regiment in the British Army?

BTW, I think the setup of a “generic” British Army infantry regiment only applies to modern peacetime, e.g. a one battalion regiment.
During WW2 most regiments had several battalions, and lots more companies.

Jan

#23

The Coldstreamers are the oldest foot guards, but not the most senior as the 1st Footguards (now Grenadiers) were first to be given the Guards title.
The Royal Scots claim to be the oldest infantry regiment.

#24

No walther, Coldstreams are the 2nd most senior regiment of Foot Guards. The most senior being the Grenadier Guards.

The title of this post is a little wrong. They mean Battalion rather than Regiment.

You are right that during both World Wars Regiments had many battalions.

Although each battalion is a stand alone unit. You can have the 1st in one Bde and the 2nd in a completey different Bde. So the companies and unit orbat are individual to the battalion.

Also today we have several Regiments of more than one Battalion. Ie Princess of Wales Royal Regiment, Royal Green Jackets, Light Infantry, Parachute Regiment and I am sure there is one more, but can’t think of it’s name.

Just to confuse you walther. The oldest unit in the British Army other thant the Household Cavelry is the Monmouthshire Militia. It is a TA unit and is now part of the Royal Engineers. It appears at the top of the TA orbat.

It full title is the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) and here is their capbadge.

See more here

www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-wales/militia/monRE.htm

#25

British Army traditions are very complicated, but also very interesting! :smiley:

Back to the WW2 regiments:

In 1944, he East Yorkshire Regiment had the first battalion in India and later fighting in Burma, the second battalion was fighting in Northwest Europe with the 3rd British infantry division and the 5th battalion was fighting with the 50th British infantry division.
It was the only British infantry regiment, which had two assault battalions in the Normandy landings, one a Sword beach and one at Gold Beach.

Jan

#26

if we are playing top trumps then, :lol:

One of the most popular Tower attractions involves people: the Yeoman Warders to be exact. They were originally established in 1485 as King Henry VIII’s bodyguard. They are perhaps best known for their gorgeous scarlet and gold dress uniforms which date to 1552 and are worn on state occasions. They are usually seen at the Tower in the blue undress uniform granted to them by Queen Victoria in 1858.

http://www.toweroflondontour.com/yeoman.html

#27

Praetorian Guard - The Praetorian Guard (sometimes Prætorian Guard) (in Latin: praetoriani) comprised a special force of bodyguards used by Roman emperors. Before them it was used by warlords, back at least to the Scipio family — around 275 BC.

I win :smiley: Paper, Rock scissors?

#28

No longer extant though, are they?