sixbeethree Posted 30 August , 2005 Share Posted 30 August , 2005 I have an uncle who was in Irish Guards during 1916. If they were the fourth regiment in the line in a strict battle line formation rather than the mayhem of the trenches etc say at waterloo would they be fourth from the front of battle ie behind three other guards regts or forth from the middle working outwards ( or inwards!) Thanks for any help. This is just for background info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 31 August , 2005 Share Posted 31 August , 2005 Think you need a Guards expert for this. At the time of Waterloo there were 3 Guards regiments, Grenadiers, Coldstream and Scots. If they had fought in line they would be in order from the right (facing the enemy) as follows: Grenadiers, Scots, Coldstream. The Grenadiers would always be on the on the right flank and the Coldstream would be on the left flank. What would have happened after 1900 and 1915 when the Irish and then Welsh Guards were raised is what you need the Guards expert for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 31 August , 2005 Share Posted 31 August , 2005 The Guards are unique in how they work, operate and dress for that matter. They distinguish themselves on parade when in No1 dress ceremonial by the plumes on their Bear skins and the button combination on their sleeves 1 for Grenadiers, 2 for Coldstreams or as they say second to none!, 3 for Scots 4 for The Irish (Micks) and 5 for Welsh. As to order of march and parade ground position if a Colour is not being trooped (if there is a Regiment parading the Colours this will take the lead as the Soverigns colour will be on parade) then it will be in order of seniority Grenadiers, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and then Welsh. They are a law unto themselves and the ultimate authority on all things ceremonial comes from London District home of the Household Division. Just to complicate things instead of normal Company names A,B etc they have Right Flank, Left Flank and Prince of Wales Company etc. Hope that helps a wee bit. Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tintin1689 Posted 31 August , 2005 Share Posted 31 August , 2005 If the Guards parade in "Brigade Order" the Coldstream will always take the left flank although all the other Regiments apart from the Grenadiers are junior to them This is because the Coldstream although junior to the Grenadiers are older and it is a dignified form of protest dating back to restoration times. "Left Flank" and "Right Flank" companies are a fusilier thing and the Scots Guards have them because for a short time in the mid-19th century they were the Scots Fusilier Guards. The reason for this was that the ordinary line regiments had an elite Grenadier company on the right flank and an elite light company on the left - as fusiliers all men were elite so this was inappropriate. In all the Guards Regiments, except the Scots, the companies are numbered (although some have names as well - the senior company of 1st Bn Grenadier Guards is No1 The Queens Company and of 1st Bn Welsh Guards No.1 Prince of Wales Company) Right of the line is senior place because you are last on parade and first to go off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 31 August , 2005 Share Posted 31 August , 2005 Tintin, Thank you for that, as an Infanteer and attached to a Composite Guards Company (IDB 1982) many moons ago I coudn't understand their customs, but you have very nicely completed my education. Many thanks for that and well explained. Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 31 August , 2005 Share Posted 31 August , 2005 Worked with some ex Guards nco's (different regiments) years ago and they tried to explain all this but I found that for everything they agreed on there was at least one point they disagreed on or was an exception. Wonderfully British anacronism and long may it continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixbeethree Posted 4 September , 2005 Author Share Posted 4 September , 2005 just back from a week end away and wanted to says thanks to those who replied. Absolutly fasinating!. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon christie Posted 8 September , 2005 Share Posted 8 September , 2005 A question to all you guards specialists, could point me towards trench maps for the attack on les boeufs september 25 '16 thanking you in advance, Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sapper9321 Posted 23 February , 2006 Share Posted 23 February , 2006 Hi, I have a little info about the attack at Les Boeufs on the 25/09/16,It is from the 55th RE diary who were attached to the Guards Division . The dairy states Sappers paraded at 6.0 a.m ,proceeded to advanced assembly trenches at T7d.6.7. 12.35 pm. 1st & 3rd Guards attacked Les Boeufs from Mirror & Blighty Trences and succeded in occupying their third objective. Hope this is some help. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen D Posted 24 February , 2006 Share Posted 24 February , 2006 From Ponsonby, History of Gren Gds. A question to all you guards specialists, could point me towards trench maps for the attack on les boeufs september 25 '16 thanking you in advance, Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen D Posted 24 February , 2006 Share Posted 24 February , 2006 From Headlam, Guards Div in Great War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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