British Guard Regiments, Grenadier
Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards,
shown in military art prints.
Raised in 1656 as His Majestie's
regiment of Guards (Wentworth's regiment) changing to Grenadier Guards in
1815 made of of Two battalions.
THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS Raised in 1650 as Monck's regiment of Foot, becoming in 1670 The
Coldstream Guards (or the 2nd Foot Guards)
The Regiment was raised by Archibald, 1st marques of
argyle on the orders of King Charles 1st. He was authorised to raise a Regiment
of 1500 men to help quash the rebellion in Ireland against the Scottish
Colonists. This regiment was going to be commanded by the King himself
circumstances made this impossible so the Regiment was lead by Sir Duncan Campbell
of Aucinbreck. In 1650 When King Charles arrived in Scotland. The regiment
became Lyfe Guards of Foot. with the 1st marques of Argyll's son as the Regiment
2nd Colonel. the regiment received its colours at Falkland
palace. and during the Civil war fought against Cromwell's armies at
Dunbar and Worcester. After these disastrous Battles the regiment
disappeared. Until 1660 when the King issued order for the Companies
of the reg9iment to be raised again. to garrison the castles of Edinburgh
and Dumbarton. The full regiment came into force in 1662 under the command
of its 3rd Colonel. The Earl of Linlithgow.
The Regiment was raised in 1900, and a
total of 6 Victoria crosses have been won by members of the Regiment. Four
during World war One with the first being Lance Corporal M, O'Leary
(later major) at Quinchy 1st February 1915, Two more were later won
during World War Two. the regiments mascot is The Wolfhound.
The Welsh Guards regiment was raised
in 1915 as One battalion. Two members of the welsh guards have one the Victoria
Cross the first being during World war One by Sgt R Bye (1889 - 1962) at
Yser Canal, Belgium 31st July 1917 and One was also won during World War
Two
