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The Guards Division and The London Regiment

The Guards Division

The Guards Division comprises five Regiments of Foot Guards. They are Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. Although usually associated with Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace and other major events of State and Ceremonial Duties, they are first and foremost Infantry soldiers. Currently, Battalions are deployed in the Armoured, Mechanised Infantry and Light Role. Volunteers taken from the five Regiments of Foot Guards are also attached to 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment as part of the Guards Parachute Platoon.

Grenadier Guards (GREN GDS)

One of the oldest and most famous regiments in the British Army, The Grenadier Guards were formed in 1656 as “The First Regiment of Foot Guards”, and were renamed “The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards”, in 1815 for their successes in The Battle of Waterloo. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army and is therefore the most senior Regiment of Infantry. As a result of defence cutbacks the 2nd Battalion The Grenadier Guards were placed in suspended animation in 1994, but the traditions and The Colours of the 2nd Battalion are carried by Nijmegen Company which carries the name of the battle honour won by The Regiment in 1944. Nijmegen Company is currently undertaking ceremonial duties in London. The 1st Battalion is currently employed in the light role.

Coldstream Guards (COLDM GDS)

The Coldstream Guards were formed in 1650 by Oliver Cromwell and given the name Monck’s Regiment of Foot, after General Monck, who commanded The Regiment. The Regiment precedes origins of the Grenadier Guards, but are listed after the Grenadier Guards as they sided with Cromwell during the Civil War. The Coldstream Guards still do not accept that they should be referred to as the ‘Second Guards’, something that is reflected in their motto of ‘Second to none’. The current strength of The Coldstream Guards is 1 Battalion, 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards, and 1 Company, No 7 Company The Coldstream Guards, which is derived from The 2nd Battalion The Coldstream Guards being placed in suspended animation as a result of defence cutbacks in 1993. No 7 Company now carry The Colours of the 2nd Battalion. The 1st Battalion are employed at Public Duties and in the light role. No 7 Company are employed at Public Duties.

Scots Guards (SG)

The Scots Guards origins can be traced back to 1642 where they formed the personal bodyguard of King Charles I, although The Regiment was not placed on the English Establishment and thus part of the current British Army until 1686. Until 1993 The Scots Guards were two battalions strong but because of defence cuts were reduced to one regular Regiment, 1st Battalion The Scots Guards with the 2nd Battalion being placed into suspended animation. A single Company, ‘F’ Company was formed for public and other duties and now carry The Colours of the 2nd Battalion. The Regiment is employed in the Armoured Infantry role and is equipped with the Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier. Under reforms announced in 2004 The Scots Guards were given a fixed role and will remain an Armoured Infantry Battalion for the foreseeable future. As a consequence of these reforms the 1st Battalion will not be employed on public duties for some considerable time. ‘F’ Company will remain in the Public Duties Role.

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