Coldstream Guards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coldstream Guards |
|
|---|---|
Regimental badge of the Coldstream Guards
|
|
| Active | 1650–present |
| Country | Commonwealth of England (1650–1660) Kingdom of England (1660–1707) Kingdom of Great Britain (1707–1800) United Kingdom (1801–present) |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | 1st Battalion and No 17 Company – Light Role Infantry No 7 Company – Public Duties |
| Size | One battalion – 559 personnel One independent incremental company One reserve company |
| Part of | Guards Division |
| Garrison/HQ | RHQ – London 1st Battalion—Windsor No 7 Company—London No 17 Company Hammersmith |
| Nickname(s) | The Lilywhites |
| Motto(s) | Nulli Secundus (Latin for 'Second to None') |
| March | Quick: "Milanollo" Slow: "Figaro" ("Non più andrai" from The Marriage of Figaro) |
| Anniversaries | St George's Day (23 April) |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Colonel-in-Chief | The King |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall KCB CBE |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
| Plume | Red Right side of Bearskin cap |
| Abbreviation | COLDM GDS |
The Coldstream Guards is a very old and important regiment in the British Army. It has been serving continuously since 1650, which means it's the oldest regular regiment still active today! As part of the Household Division, one of its main jobs is to protect the King or Queen. Because of this, you often see them at big royal events and ceremonies. This regiment has also fought in many major wars around the world where the British Army was involved.
The Coldstream Guards has always been a single, unbroken unit. It started in 1650 as 'Monck's Regiment of Foot'. After the King returned to power in 1660, it was renamed 'The Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards'. When its founder, Monck, died in 1670, it was named 'The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards'. This name came from a village in Scotland where the regiment started its march to help bring back the monarchy in 1660. In 1855, it got its current name, the 'Coldstream Guards'.
Today, the regiment includes its main office, a single fighting unit called the 1st Battalion, and a special independent company (Number 7 Company). It also has a Regimental Band and a reserve company (Number 17 Company) for part-time soldiers.
Contents
History of the Coldstream Guards
Starting in the English Civil War
The Coldstream Guards began during the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell allowed Colonel George Monck to create his own regiment. Monck gathered soldiers from two other regiments and formed Monck's Regiment of Foot on August 13, 1650. Just two weeks later, this new force fought in the Battle of Dunbar, where Cromwell's forces won against Charles Stuart.
After a time of change in England, Monck decided to support the return of the King. On January 1, 1660, he led his soldiers across the River Tweed into England from the village of Coldstream. They marched for five weeks to London, arriving on February 2. Monck's help was key in bringing back the monarchy. For his efforts, Monck received a special honour, and his regiment was tasked with keeping order in London.
However, the new government soon wanted to disband Monck's regiment along with other army units. But before that could happen, the regiment had to fight a rebellion in London on January 6, 1661. They defeated the rebels. On February 14, the soldiers symbolically laid down their old arms and immediately picked them up again as a new royal regiment: The Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards. They became part of the King's special Household Troops.
This new royal regiment was placed as the second most senior among the Household Troops. This was because another regiment, the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, joined the King's service just before them. But the Coldstream Guards didn't like being called "second." So, they adopted the motto Nulli Secundus, which means Second to None in Latin. This motto shows their pride, as their regiment is actually older than the Grenadier Guards. When on parade with other Foot Guards, they always stand on the left, showing they are "second to none." When Monck died in 1670, the regiment was renamed the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards.
-
British Foot Guards in 1751 by David Morier
-
Lt Robert Orme (1756) by Sir Joshua Reynolds
-
Crimean War: Joseph Numa, John Potter and James Deal of the Coldstream Guards
_-_Grenadiers,_1st_and_3rd_Regiments_of_Foot_Guards_and_Coldstream_Guards,_1751_-_RCIN_405597_-_Royal_Collection.jpg)
Fighting Abroad (1685–1900)
The Coldstream Guards fought in many battles overseas. They saw action in Flanders and helped put down the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685. They also fought in the Battle of Walcourt in 1689 and the Siege of Namur.
In 1760, a part of the regiment went to Germany and fought in battles like Battle of Wilhelmstal. During the American Revolutionary War, three companies of Guardsmen fought.
The regiment played a big role in the wars against the French Revolution and in the Napoleonic Wars. They defeated French troops in Egypt and helped in the attack on Copenhagen in 1807. In 1809, they joined forces with Sir Arthur Wellesley in Portugal. A very famous moment for the Coldstream Guards was at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. They bravely defended the Chateau Hougoumont against many French attacks all day. This defense is seen as one of their greatest achievements. Each year, a special ceremony called "Hanging the Brick" remembers the soldiers who closed the North Gate during a French attack. Even the Duke of Wellington said that the battle's success depended on closing those gates.
After Waterloo, the regiment stayed in Paris as part of the British occupation until 1816.
During the Crimean War, the Coldstream Regiment fought in major battles like Alma and Inkerman. When they returned, four soldiers received the new Victoria Cross medal for their bravery.
The regiment officially became the Coldstream Guards in 1855. They were sent to Egypt in 1882 and South Africa in 1899 for the Second Boer War.
From 1900 to Today
When the First World War started, the Coldstream Guards were among the first British regiments to arrive in France. They suffered heavy losses in battles like Ypres, Mons, and the Somme. Sometimes, they lost all their officers in a single battle.
In the Second World War, the Coldstream Guards fought in France, North Africa, and Europe. They were part of the Guards Armoured Division and fought as infantry. Some battalions even became armored units with tanks.
After the war, the Coldstream Guards served in places like Palestine and during the Malayan Emergency. They also served in Cyprus in 1974 and many times in Northern Ireland after 1969.
The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards was the first group to perform on stage at the famous Live Aid charity concert in Wembley in 1985. They played for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In 1991, the 1st Battalion went to the first Gulf War. Later, due to army cutbacks, the 2nd Battalion was put on hold in 1993.
Throughout the 1990s, the 1st Battalion was stationed in Germany, serving as armored infantry. From 1993 to 1994, they were part of peacekeeping duties in Bosnia.
In 2001, the battalion was sent to Northern Ireland. In April 2005, they deployed to Iraq for six months. They lost two soldiers during this tour.
In 2007, the battalion was sent to Afghanistan. In October 2009, they deployed again to Afghanistan, playing a big part in Operation Moshtarak in 2010.
Today, the 1st Battalion is based in Windsor as a light infantry unit. By 2025, it will move to a new brigade.
How the Regiment is Organized
The Coldstream Guards is made up of several parts:
- Regimental Headquarters: This is the main office in London.
- 1st Battalion: This is the main fighting unit, based in Windsor. It includes:
- Battalion Headquarters
- Headquarters Company
- No. 1 Company (the oldest company)
- No. 2 Company
- No. 3 Company
- Support (No. 4) Company (which includes the Corps of Drums)
- No. 7 Company: Based in London, this company keeps the traditions of the old 2nd Battalion.
- No. 17 Company: This is the regiment's reserve unit for part-time soldiers, located in Hammersmith.
- Band of the Coldstream Guards: This is the famous band, also based in London.
Companies in the regiment are traditionally numbered. New officers training for the regiment are in No. 13 Coy, and new soldiers training are in No. 14 Coy. No. 7 Coy is one of the special companies that performs public duties in London and Windsor.
What the Coldstream Guards Do
The most well-known role of the 1st Battalion and No. 7 Company is performing ceremonial duties. This includes the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. They are part of the Household Division for these duties. For fighting, the 1st Battalion acts as light infantry.
In 2027, the 1st Battalion will take on a new role, helping to train other security forces.
The Corps of Drums not only plays music for ceremonies but also serves as a machine gun platoon. All Guardsmen on public duty wear a special uniform with a red plume on their tall bearskin hats. The Band of the Coldstream Guards plays at many important events, including state visits.
Unlike other Guards regiments that recruit from all parts of the UK, the Coldstream Guards recruits from specific areas. These are the counties that Monck's Regiment marched through on its way from Coldstream to London, mainly the South West and North East of England.
The Coldstream Guards also have a special connection to The Parachute Regiment. Guardsmen who complete tough parachute training can join the Guards Parachute Platoon within 3 PARA.
Special Traditions
You can tell the different regiments of Foot Guards apart by the way the buttons are grouped on their tunics. Coldstream buttons are always arranged in pairs. Their brass badges also have a Star of the Garter.
The regiment is ranked second in the army's order of importance, right after the Grenadier Guards. But as mentioned, their motto is Nulli Secundus (Second to None). This is a playful way of saying they are older than the Grenadier Guards, even if they are officially ranked second.
The regiment's nickname is "Lilywhites." An ordinary soldier in the regiment is called a Guardsman. This special title was given by King George V after the First World War. The regiment is always called "the Coldstream," never "the Coldstreams." And a member of the regiment is called a "Coldstreamer."
Training to be a Coldstreamer
New recruits for the Guards Division go through a very tough training program. Their training is two weeks longer than for other British Army infantry regiments. This extra time is spent learning special drills and ceremonies, which are very important for their public duties.
Colonels-in-Chief
Since King Edward VII became King, all British monarchs have been the Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards. This is a special honorary role.
Battle Honours
The Coldstream Guards have earned many battle honours throughout their history, recognizing their bravery and service in major conflicts. Some of their notable battle honours include:
- Tangier 1680, Namur 1695, Gibraltar 1704–1705, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Dettingen, Lincelles, Egypt, Talavera, Barrosa, Fuentes d'Onor, Salamanca, Nive, Peninsula, Waterloo, Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt 1882, Suakin 1885, Modder River, South Africa 1899–1902
- The Great War (World War I): Mons, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Ypres 1914 '17, Langemarck 1914, Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert 1915, Loos, Mount Sorrel, Somme 1916 '18, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Pilckem, Menin Road, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Cambrai 1917 '18, St. Quentin, Bapaume 1918, Arras 1918, Lys, Hazebrouck, Albert 1918, Scarpe 1918, Drocourt-Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Canal du Nord, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–1918
- The Second World War: Dyle, Defence of Escaut, Dunkirk 1940, Cagny, Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Estry, Heppen, Nederrijn, Venraij, Meijel, Roer, Rhineland, Reichswald, Cleve, Goch, Moyland, Hochwald, Rhine, Lingen, Uelzen, North-West Europe 1940 '44–45, Egyptian Frontier 1940, Sidi Barrani, Halfaya 1941, Tobruk 1941–42, Msus, Knightsbridge, Defence of Alamein Line, Medenine, Mareth, Longstop Hill 1942, Sbiba, Steamroller Farm, Tunis, Hammam Lif, North Africa 1940–1943, Salerno, Battipaglia, Capezzano, Volturno Crossing, Monte Camino, Calabritto, Garigliano Crossing, Monte Ornito, Monte Piccolo, Capture of Perugia, Arezzo, Advance to Florence, Monte Domini, Catarelto Ridge, Argenta Gap, Italy 1943–1945
- Gulf 1991
Order of Importance
| Preceded by Grenadier Guards |
Infantry Order of Precedence | Succeeded by Scots Guards |
Alliances
The Coldstream Guards have special connections with other military units:
Canada – The Governor General's Foot Guards (Canada)
Australia – 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Australia)
Royal Navy – HMS Ocean (Royal Navy ship)
Images for kids
-
A Coldstream Guards Sergeant dressing through the ranks during the rehearsal for the Trooping the Colour
-
Battle of Alma in the Crimean War
-
4th Coldstream in the Third Battle of Ypres, 1917
-
Coldstream Guard members of the Guards Parachute Platoon, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
-
Guardsman using the Sharpshooter Weapon System
-
Section Second in Command giving Quick Battle Orders during exercise
-
81mm Mortar moments after firing.
-
U.S. President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Major Oliver Biggs, reviewing the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards at Windsor Castle during Trump's visit to London in July 2018.
-
Battle of Bayonne's cemetery, 1814, France, detail
-
1st Battalion on Exercise in Kenya 2019
See also
- Category:Coldstream Guards officers
- Category:Coldstream Guards soldiers
- Eddie Chapman criminal and World War II British double agent served with the Coldstream Guards.
- Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army
- Band of the Coldstream Guards
