Guards Division

The Guards Division is an administrative unit of the British Army responsible for the administration of the regiments of Foot Guards and the London Regiment. The Guards Division is responsible for providing two public duties battalions to London District (plus three incremental companies); although the guards are most associated with ceremony, they are nevertheless operational infantry battalions, and as such perform all the various roles of infantry.

History

The Guards Division was established by redesignation of the Brigade of Guards in 1968. The depot was established at Wellington Barracks in London.[1]

Before the Options for Change defence review in 1992, there were eight battalions:

The cuts made to the infantry under Options for Change included three battalions of Guards. However, rather than disbanding them, the 2nd Battalions of each of the first three regiments were placed in "suspended animation" - although they would not be active, they would still be listed on the Army Roll, and could be reactivated should they be needed. In order to maintain the traditions of each battalion, and to keep custody of the colours, three companies were kept active, one to represent each battalion:

  • No 2 Company, 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards (renamed Nijmegen Company)
  • No 7 Company, 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards
  • F Company, 2nd Bn Scots Guards

These three units were based permanently at Chelsea Barracks in London on public duties until Chelsea Barracks was sold off by the army. They represent the suspended battalions at significant events, such as Trooping the Colour, and receive the battalion's new colours whenever they are presented. As such, each company is an independent unit of their regiment, separate from the operational battalions.

Current units

Current units comprise:[2][3]

Past units

Past units include:[4]

  • 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards (1656–1994)
  • 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards (1711–1993)
  • 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards (1689–1993)

Note: The three 2nd battalions have technically not been disbanded; instead they are in "suspended animation" and, in theory, can be re-raised if needed. The colours and traditions of each battalion are kept and maintained by the incremental companies.

Tunics

The grouping of buttons on the tunic is a common way to distinguish among the regiments of Foot Guards:

  • Grenadier Guards: 1 button
  • Coldstream Guards: group of 2 buttons
  • Scots Guards: group of 3 buttons
  • Irish Guards: group of 4 buttons
  • Welsh Guards: group of 5 buttons

See also

List of Bands:

References

  1. ↑ "Wellington Barracks Review". Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  2. ↑ Heyman, p.88
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Whitaker's Almanack 1969

Sources

  • Heyman, Charles (2012). The British Army: A Pocket Guide, 2012-2013. Pen & Sword.
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