Dates: 1650 -
Her Majesty’s Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards (COLDM GDS), is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division.
It is the oldest regiment in the Regular Army in continuous active service, originating in Coldstream on the Scottish border in 1650 when General George Monck founded the regiment. It is one of two regiments of the Household Division that can trace its lineage to the New Model Army, the other being the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons).
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 organised by Oliver Cromwell.
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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 Moncks Regiment 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 500 men were raised by Royal Warrant for sea service. Thus the Coldstream Guards can claim to be the Parent of the Royal Marines.
1660
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. Jamess 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 II.
On the occasion of King Charless 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 Cromwells New Modal Army was decreed by Act of Parliament, with the reservation that the Captain Generals (Moncks) 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 Moncks Regiment of Horse was actually in the course of disbandment, but for the chance of a riot the continuous existence of the Coldstreamers would of 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 Sovereigns person.
The Regiment was, on the 14th Feb 1661, made the Lord Generals 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 II back on the throne, thereby re-establishing the Monarchy and restoring civil liberty to England.
1682
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. Thirteen members have been awarded the Victoria Cross, and one the George Cross.
Memories of Coldstream Guards
Coldstream Guards, road blocks aden in 1966Written by joe(seth)adams
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"six on 12 off week in week out. radfan was not bad bit cooler spell at monks field never forget the smell of down town aden l was 17 welcome to the real world then germany and the cold cant hack the cold australia has been good to me such is life as ned kelly said............."
Coldstream Guards, Pirbright in 1983Written by Chris Parkinson
Contact this person >> "Knightsbridge 2 Platoon & Knightsbridge Shooting Platoon. Les Woolaston, Andy Obridge, Dave Wilson, Lcpl/Horse Monkton, Mike Norman, Kenny Dorkins, Sid Harding, QMSI Redman - All depot Staff.
Lads - Mark ’Eggy’ Etherington, Bruno Brooks, barry Crane, Smudge Smith, Taff Evans, Sherbourne, Wheatley, Carroll, Forest - Lost all my photos in a stolen MFO box in transit form Hong Kong 1988 - Can anyone fill in the gaps?"
Coldstream Guards, in 1965Written by
Contact this person >> "at the guards depot we were taken into london to be on hand to put salt on the roads at winston churchills funeral as it was we were not needed but we were able to watch some of it
our time in aden the time we spent up country its good to have memories like this
british honduras was great place to be got a good tan in this place plus i did my cpl coarse no more fatigues
germany it was a nice start for a 17yr old to travel abroad and agood place to be when england won the world cup
got to see many parts of the world including usa we did the training their army was doing for vietnam got the compliment that if the british army had been involved the war would have been won"
Coldstream Guards, Aden/radfan in 1965Written by Paul Conroy
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"got back from patrol at Dahla camp 0200 new years day 1965.everyone drunk . no beer left for us. i ended up robbing officers tent of spirits left over. arrested next day. 7days in guardroom at Salerno Camp,worth every minute of it. anyone remember?"
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Coldstream Guards
" hi is anyone out there from coldstream guards..anti tanks who served in munster 1990-95 love to here from you... "
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" Is there any crewmembers who can remmember playing Footi, by using the lights from 4 Chieftans while on Excercise in ,78 It was with the Coldstream Guards,on of the tanks had broke down early in the day.As it got dark we had a drink! then somone got out a football and off we went.It was ..."
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" I have had the film "Gettysburg"for some time and it features a Coldstream Guards officer called Fremantle i thought this was fiction but i have found out it is TRUE! And... that there are Fremantle familey members alive TODAY amazing or what. It always shows you that life as its own surprize’S "
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" I only ever wore my Unifrom once when on Leave at home(Number Two Dress) in 1976,I was still a CROWE at Pirbright(Coldstream Guards) this was becuase of the "Troubles" but the Respect i got then was enormous.I had people Shaking my hand and saying you are very young!(i was only 16)and thank you.Am ..."
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" Anyone from !st Coldstream Guards served in the60s in the Sigs or Recce Platoon I’m going to the black w/e on 6-8 May with Col Westerman ,Peter Hellings,Alan Dixon,Jim Barker and Martin Houlce(Sneck)and myself Bill Spence probably the finest soldier who served in the army and as you see I ..."
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