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Origins
In
the year 1655 Oliver Cromwell formed an alliance with King
Louis XIV of France against Spain. The exiled King Charles
II of England, who had been spending his exile first with
the French Court and later at Cologne now allied himself to
the Spaniards in the Netherlands. He set up his headquarters
in the Flemish city of Bruges and tried to raise an Army.
Since Spain failed to provide sufficient money and arms, King
Charles II could only form five Regiments which were raised
in 1656. One of these, in which were collected some four hundred
of the King's most loyal supporters, was commanded by Thomas
Lord Wentworth. It was called 'The Royal Regiment of Guards'.
The campaign by Spain and her allies against France was unsuccessful.
However, 'The Royal Regiment of Guards' played a valiant part
in the Battle of the Dunes near Dunkirk in 1658. King Charles
was restored to the English Throne in 1660, and landed in
England on 25th May. One of his early commissions, dated 26th
August, 1660 confirmed the establishment of 'The Royal Regiment
of Guards' with Lord Wentworth as Colonel. The Regiment remained
abroad forming part of the Garrison of Dunkirk until 1662
when it was brought home to England.
After his restoration King Charles II decided that, for his
own personal protection, there should be a Regiment of Guards
in England, in addition to 'The Royal Regiment of Guards'
at Dunkirk. On 23rd November 1660, King Charles II commissioned
Colonel John Russell to raise a Regiment of Foot Guards, the
'King's Regiment of Guards'. This Regiment consisted of twelve
companies of one hundred men each.
In 1665, Lord Wentworth died. 'The Royal Regiment of Guards'
was linked with the 'King's Regiment of Guards', in one establishment
under the command of Colonel John Russell. The formal incorporation
took place on 16th March 1665. The new Regiment consisted
of twenty-four companies of one hundred men each, to which
were added later four companies of Grenadiers. The new Regiment
became known as the 'First Regiment of Foot Guards', a title
which it retained until 1815 when it was granted its present
title.
Full Title
The following
is an extract from the 'London Gazette' of 29th July 1815,
and explains the origin of the full title of the Regiment:
'His Royal Highness has also been pleased to approve of the
First Regiment of Foot Guards being made a Regiment of Grenadiers
and styled 'The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards'
in commemoration of their having defeated the Grenadiers of
the French Imperial Guard upon this memorable occasion'. (The
occasion was the Battle of Waterloo).
The Grenadier Guards is the only Regiment of the British Army
that has directly gained its title from the part it played
in action. Since the Regiment won its name, the Grenade emblem
has been worn as a badge on the forage cap, on the tunic and
on the Colour of the Regiment to signify the Regiment's proud
and courageous history. A new uniform embodying the Grenade
was first worn at Christmas 1815.
On the 7th November 1920, approval was obtained to replace
the Grenade on the shoulder straps with the Royal Cypher.
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