London Guards facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1st Battalion London Guards |
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Badge of 1st Battalion London Guards
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| Active | 1908–2022 (as London Regiment) 2022–present (as London Guards) |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Light Role Infantry |
| Size | One Battalion (450 personnel) |
| Part of | London District |
| Garrison/HQ | St John's Hill, London |
| Engagements | Iraq War Operation Herrick |
| Website | army.mod.uk/london-guards/ |
| Commanders | |
| The Lieutenant Colonel | Major General Marc Overton TD DL VR |
| The Colonel | The Duke of Edinburgh KG GCVO CD ADC(P) |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
| Abbreviation | 1 LONDON GDS |
The London Guards is a special part of the British Army. It brings together the reserve companies of some of the most famous British Army regiments: the Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, and Irish Guards. These companies are made up of soldiers who serve part-time, usually alongside their civilian jobs.
The London Guards traces its history back to 1908. Back then, it was called the London Regiment, and it was formed by joining 26 different volunteer groups. In 2022, the London Regiment changed its name and became the 1st Battalion London Guards. This change meant that its soldiers became part of the famous Foot Guards regiments.
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History of the London Guards
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The London Regiment was brought back to life in 1993. It was formed from parts of older units that had once been part of the original London Regiment. These units included:
- 8th (Volunteer) Battalion, Queen's Fusiliers
- 1st Battalion, 51st Highland Volunteers
- 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers
In 1992, two famous London units, the London Scottish and the London Irish Rifles, joined the Queen's Fusiliers. This was a step towards forming the new London Regiment in 1993.
When the London Regiment was formed, it had several companies, which are smaller groups of soldiers. These companies were based in different parts of London. For example, the London Scottish Company was in Westminster, and the London Irish Rifles Company was in Chelsea.
Between 1998 and 2004, two companies from the Royal Green Jackets also joined the London Regiment.
Serving in Iraq
In 2004, some soldiers from the London Regiment were sent to Iraq to serve there. This was an important deployment for the regiment.
Changes to the Regiment
After the British Army made some changes in 2004, the London Regiment moved to a new group called the Guards Division. This meant it would work more closely with the famous Foot Guards regiments. The two Royal Green Jackets companies left the London Regiment around this time.
More changes happened in 2017. Two companies, B Company and C Company, moved to other regiments. To replace them, F Company returned to the London Regiment, and a new G Company was created. The regiment also started to be known as the 'Guards reserve battalion'.
In 2021, the British Army announced big plans for the future. As part of these plans, the London Regiment would change its name to the 1st Battalion London Guards. This change happened by February 2024. For the 2023 Trooping the Colour parade, the London Guards helped line the streets, making the event even bigger.
Becoming Foot Guards Companies
In April 2022, the London Regiment officially became the 1st Battalion London Guards. It stopped being a separate regiment on its own. Instead, its companies became reserve companies of the four senior Foot Guards regiments. This means the soldiers are now members of those famous Foot Guards regiments.
The main office for the London Guards is at St John's Hill. The reserve companies are now part of different Foot Guards regiments and are located in various parts of London:
- Ypres Company is part of the Grenadier Guards and is based in Kingston upon Thames.
- No 17 Company is part of the Coldstream Guards and is based in Hammersmith.
- G (Messines) Company is part of the Scots Guards and is in Victoria, London.
- No 15 (Loos) Company is part of the Irish Guards and is in Camberwell.
Most officers and soldiers wear the uniform of their specific Foot Guards regiment. However, three special officers—the Colonel, the Lieutenant Colonel, and the Commanding Officer—wear a unique London Guards uniform. This uniform has special stars on the collar and buttons from all five Foot Guards regiments.
On July 9, 2023, the 1st Battalion London Guards received new Colours. These are special flags that represent the unit's history and honours. The ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace, and the Regimental Colonel, HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, presented them.
Order of Precedence
The "Order of Precedence" is like a list that shows the official ranking of different military units. When the London Regiment existed, it was placed after the Parachute Regiment in this list.
| Preceded by 4th Battalion, Parachute Regiment |
Army Reserve Order of Precedence | Succeeded by 6 Bn The Rifles |
