History of the Coldstream Guards Leicester Branch

THE HISTORY OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS: The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards is the oldest Corps by continuous existence in the British Army, also the third representative by lineal descent of the first Regular British Army, which, as the new model Army, was raised and organized by Oliver Cromwell. The Regiment first mustered near Berwick in the year of 1650, and was composed of five Companies from Sir Arthur Hazelrigg at Newcastle in 1647 and five companies of the Regiment raised by Colonel Fenwick, in Berwick as a garrison for that town. The new Regiment was officially known as Monck's 1661Regiment of Foot, marched into Scotland and fought with distinction at the Battle of Dunbar on the 3rd September 1650. The earliest service which the Regiment can claim against a foreign power was in 1652, under Colonel Monck, who, as one of three Admirals led the British Fleet with conspicuous success against the then formidable Dutch Navy. The connection with the sea was furthered in 1664 when five Hundred men were raised by Royal Warrant for sea service. Thus the Coldstream Guards can claim to be the Parent of the Royal Marines. On January the 1st 1660, General Monck started from Coldstream on his historic march to London, which he reached on the 3rd February. The Coldstream were at once ordered to take up their quarters for the first time in the precincts of St. James's Palace and were employed by Monck in restoring order and repressing the riots and disturbances which had characterized the last few months of Parliamentary rule. The end of May, 1660, saw the restoration of Charles the Second. On the occasion of King Charles's entry into London, the Coldstream were for the first time inspected by the Sovereign and His Majesty expressed himself as much struck by the Beauty, discipline and martial appearance of the Troops. On the kings Restoration, the disbandment of Cromwell's New Modal Army was decreed by Act of Parliament, with the reservation that the Captain General's (Monck’s) own Regiments of Horse and Foot were to be retained to the last. By January, 1661, the process of reduction was so far completed the Monck's Regiment of Horse was actually in the course of disbandment, but for the chance of a riot the continuous existence of the Coldstreamers would have been abruptly terminated. On January the 6th, however, a somewhat serious rising took place, necessitating stern repressive measures on the part of the Regiment, and was decided to keep them permanently embodied for the security of their Sovereign's person. The Regiment was, on the 14th Feb 1661, made the "Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards" having been paraded on Tower Hill and ordered to "Ground Arms" as a Regiment in the pay of Parliament and to "Take up Arms" in the name of the King. On the death of the Lord General the Regiment became officially, as it had been popularly known as "The Coldstream Guards", to commemorate its march from Coldstream to London. The Regiment was instrumental in putting Charles the second back on the throne, thereby re-establishing the Monarchy and restoring civil liberty to England.

Ceremonial Operational Training From 1682 onwards until 1993, the Regiment has consisted of two Battalions. In addition, the 3rd Battalion was formed in 1897, and existed until placed into suspended animation in 1959. The 4th Battalion was formed during both world wars, as were the 5th and 6th Battalions in World War II. The 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation in 1993, although its Colours continue to be borne by No. 7 Company which is the independent incremental company, and which is stationed in London. The Regiment has served with distinction in almost every campaign fought by the British Army; the most recent of those have been the Gulf Conflict, Bosnia, Op Telic (Iraq) and Op Herrick (Afghanistan). Thirteen members have been awarded the Victoria Cross, and one the George Cross.