Guards Division

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:

• 1st and 2nd Battalions, Grenadier Guards
• 1st and 2nd Battalions, Coldstream Guards
• 1st and 2nd Battalions, Scots Guards
• 1st Battalion, Irish Guards
• 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards

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.

Currently units comprise:[2][3]

• Guards Division Headquarters, at Wellington Barracks, Westminster
• Regular Army
  • 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards (Public Duties), at Lille Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
  • 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards (Light Infantry), at Victoria Barracks, Windsor
  • 1st Battalion, Scots Guards (Mechanised Infantry), at Mons Barracks, Aldershot Garrison
  • 1st Battalion, Irish Guards (Light Infantry), at Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow
  • 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards (Public Duties), at Combermere Barracks, Windsor
  • Guards Parachute Platoon (6 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment)[4][5]
  • G Squadron, 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (affiliated, 1968–Present)[6]
  • Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards (Permanent Public Duties), at Wellington Barracks, Westminster
  • No 7 Company, Coldstream Guards (Permanent Public Duties), at Wellington Barracks, Westminster
  • F Company, Scots Guards (Permanent Public Duties), at Wellington Barracks, Westminster
• Army Reserve
  • London Regiment (Light Infantry), HQ in St John's Hill, London

Past units include (dates when they were part of the division):[7][8][9]

• 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards (1968–1994), reduced to Nijmegan Company
• 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards (1968–1993), reduced to No.7 Company
• 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards (1968–1971, reduced to 2 Scots Guards Company in 1st Battalion, re-instated 1972–1993), reduced to F Company
• Band of the Grenadier Guards (1968–1994), transferred to Corps of Army Music (CAMUS) on formation of that corps
• Band of the Coldstream Guards (1968–1994), transferred to CAMUS
• Band of the Scots Guards (1968–1994), transferred to CAMUS
• Band of the Irish Guards (1968–1994), transferred to CAMUS
• Band of the Welsh Guards (1968–1994), transferred to CAMUS

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.

Two officers and a Warrant Officer class I of the Irish Guards – in this image the blue plume can be seen on the right hand side of the bearskin, the tunic buttons are grouped in fours, and the shamrock badge is on the collar. The Officer on the far side has a parachute badge indicating he's trained to deploy as a parachutist.

The five regiments of foot guards are most often seen in full dress uniform, comprising navy trousers, scarlet tunic and bearskin cap. From a distance they appear identical, but there are ways to distinguish between the regiments:

• The colour of the plume, and which side of the bearskin it is worn on
• The spacing of the tunic buttons
• The badge worn on the collar
• The badge worn on the shoulder

• Household Cavalry
• Household Division
• King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery
• Guards Division for the tactical formation active in World War I (and briefly at the end of World War II)
• Guards Armoured Division for the tactical formation active in World War II

List of Bands:

• Band of the Grenadier Guards
• Band of the Coldstream Guards
• Band of the Scots Guards
• Band of the Irish Guards
• Band of the Welsh Guards

• Heyman, Charles (2012). The British Army: A Pocket Guide, 2012–2013. Pen & Sword. ISBN 9781848841079.

• Brigade of Guards at regiments.org by T.F.Mills at the Wayback Machine (archived 15 July 2007)