Britain's Foot Guards: From Buckingham Palace to the world's Battlefields 

Thanks for watching guys. Amazing history the Guards have. I hope to do more videos in the future on the various battles of the Footguards. On another note I do just want reiterate the sales pitch in the film as I do genuinely beleive a VPN is a great idea, espeically for those of us who travel a lot and could potentially have our machines compromised. Here is the Surfshark sign up link in case you are keen.. . surfshark.deals/REDCOATHISTORY

Even though I’m an American, I absolutely hate it when people disrespect the guards. They are among the first I’d want next to me on a battlefield and among the last I’d want to see across from me. Hate to be blunt but these guys have been putting some not so nice people six feet under for a long time, not just to the UK’s benefit but the free world.

I'm a former Coldstreamer, served in Northern Ireland and the 1st Gulf War. Glad you showed we dont just guard palaces but are real front line infantry. Worth saying that the guards had their own squadron in the SAS and their own Parachute regiment, such was the quality of soldier produced by the highly professional and disciplined training that Guardsmen receive.

"Now, Maitland! Now's your time!" - best line delivery in one of my favourite movies of all time. The French didn't even know the British Guards were waiting for them. At the time, the Grenadier Guards were still known as the First Regiment of Foot Guards. They were given the name "Grenadier Guards" by proclamation of the Prince Regent, supposedly for annihilating Napoleon's Grenadiers, though there was some confusion as to which of the French Guards they'd defeated.

Great video, was a pleasure hosting your visit Christian

I served in an a Line Infantry Regiment and we had a few senior NCO's who had served during the war and I well recall one of them saying to me who had served in Italy saying that if you had a Guards Regiment serving alongside you new you were safe as they never gave way!

The Grenadier Guards held a rear guard defensive action, during the retreat of Dunkirk in 1940.

After the Great War there was a proposal made that stemmed from an earlier wartime proposition that an "Imperial Regiment of Foot Guards" was to be formed made up of men From Australia, Canada, South Africa (and presumably New Zealand) . They were to have a red, white and blue plume in the bearskin and given the motto " For crown and Empire". Nothing ever came of the idea but It would have been interesting had it ever been implemented.

30 year old American here and an enthusiast of world history. My favorite story regarding the Grenadier Guards I believe was during their posting to Canada in the late 1830s. They befriended a goose named Jacob who in the nick of time warned several of the Guard's sentries of an attack by rebel insurgents. Jacob the goose even attacked the insurgents managing to chase them off i think and so he was adopted as the regiment's mascot for a time ^^ even taking him back to London with them when they were reposted. Great content as always. When I was over in England last summer I convinced my friends to see with me the Royal Fusilier's museum at the Tower and the national army museum in london and we even had a rather boozy lunch, naturally, at the Horse and Guardsman restaurant near Trafalgar square where they have a hugely impressive Lady Butler painting of the Scots Grey's charging at Waterloo as well as many items pertaining to the Household Cavalry regiments.

The cold stream guards were originally formed as a parliamentary regiment. It is only years in service to the crown that counts for seniority so this is why they are the second senior despite being the older regiment.

It's not really turquoise, it's a shade officially known as St Patrick's Blue and it was the original heraldic colour for Ireland.

Great history about a great army. Glad we call each other friends! Best wishes from your USAF Alabama cousins!

Very informative indeed thank you. It really annoys me to see the public not showing the Guard's the respect they deserve whilst on Guard duty. But I in turn, respect their patience & restraint when it happens.

The Irish Guards were the lead unit of XXX Corps on September 17, 1944 in Operation Market-Garden. I have been to The Guards Museum in London and enjoyed speaking with the SgtMaj who was the only docent there. For an hour, I was the only visitor in the museum. Later, I found karl marx’s grave and urinated on it.

Brilliant video Sir. The one thing not mentioned was the reverse colouring of the grenadier guards & Coldstream guards on their formal caps. The grenadier guards wear a white bloom on their bearskin, but red on their peak cap. The Coldstream are red on their bearskin, but white on their peak cap. The Irish guards are blue (the traditional colour of old Ireland), but green on their peak caps. Reference the Irish guards. They were formed on the 1st April 1900, by order of HIM Queen Victoria, and also by act of Parliament. The only guards Regiment to be so formed. They were formed to honour the 8 irish infantry Regiments of line, as stated, which captured Ladysmith in the previous year 1899, led by Irish generals. Due to the fact that the sovereign wasn't in good health at the time, they were formed quickly so that the sovereign could see them on parade. Their Regimental quick march is 'St Patrick's day'. This was chosen, not because St Patrick is the patron Saint of All Ireland. But, because that was the one march that was in all 8 irish infantry of the line regiments that all the soldiers knew. It was either a stand alone battalion march/one of a combination of marches/their Regimental tune(marching on & off the colours)/recruiting tune or part of their Regimental Playoff. Of all the guards regiments, the grenadier guards being the most senior were also the first company of any battalions of the other guards, example, when the Irish guards were formed their first company were grenadier guards of Irish decent. Plus, the senior officer were likewise. The remainder came from 8 infantry of the line. Their first quartermaster came from the Connaught Rangers. Here's a tip for anyone visiting any army museum. If you see a portrait of a commanding officer, and they have just a crown on their shoulders. That commanding officer is pre 1900. If a crown & star, that is 1900 onwards. In 1900, the armed forces did a root and branch look at all ranks. Amongst the officers, they added a star to each rank introducing a new rank of 2nd Lieutenant for a officer being commissioned, whilst making the old rank of ensign, the official officer rank for the officer who carries the colours when on parade. They also cleared the generals up so, brigadier general (which was a crown and 2 stars), became a crown and 3 stars, and shortened to brigadier. Sergeant major general became Major general(dropping sergeant)/ Lt Col general became Lt General(dropping colonel)/General & Field Marshal remained the only ones whom had no changes. Great video Sir. Hope that the above information is useful to thee.

This is the most educational piece I've ever seen on the British Army. I learned a lot. I found the buttons particularly fascinating and informative.

Thankfully someone's trying to put the record straight. I always get rather annoyed when civvies think all we do is stag on, thank you very much for this informative video cheers Chris

You might have mentioned the 1st Regiment of Footguards at Waterloo were thereafter known as the Grenadier Guards and that the bearskin cap was awarded to the Guards as a battle honour.

"We're not so old in the army list / But we're not so young at our trade / For we had the honour at Fontenoy / Of meeting the Guards Brigade." The opening lines of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Irish Guards.' His son John was killed in an attack on Puits 14 bis in the Battle of Loos in September 1915 while serving with the Regiment. Look it up, it's worth reading as are Kipling's Epitaphs on the War. A very interesting video although as I live in Wales a bit disappointing that the Welsh Guards losses on Sir Galahad in the Falklands didn't get a mention.

Before the Paras and the SAS and the Commandos there were the Guards. These guys were the true elite.

I misheard the narrator, I could have sworn he said "Scouse Guards." Frightening thought.

As always, an interesting compact video. Well done, Chris! Here in Belgium, we remember the Guards regiments as the brave ones who sacrificed their life in Waterloo 1815, in Ieper during W.W. 1 and the liberation of Brussels in 1944. And probably I forget some other military actions in Flanders and Belgium. Belgium always was and is U.K. bridgehead on the European continent. Maybe it could also be a topic for one of your videos? Wish you a lot of succes!

Good to see you got the Scots Guards date correct at the start .

Great video Chris, I visited the Guards Museum a few years ago with a couple of mates. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves military history.

A lot of people dont know about guards reg ,especially the American tourists,a lot of members of the SAS originally came from one of the guards reg....

The Guards should have "Guilford Courthouse" on their battle honours.

My Dad served in the Colstream Guards in the late 70s early 80s very proud.

Got the protect the colours ,ensign Ewart captured the French golden Eagle he was in a jock regiment.Probably the most highly thought of soldiers right into WW1 as the pipes and kilted soldiers were so popular.Gas attacks saw the end of kilts as the soldiers in kilts got horrible burns in the extremities.

The Special Air Service was formed from the Guards.

This shouldn't be a question. The King's/Queen's guard, Grenadier Guards, Horse Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards are all hard, many of them combat veterans. No one to mess with at all. You don't want any part of them on the battlefield Other than the SAS, many consider the Gurkhas are the baddest of the bad the British have to offer as far as troops go. There was a documentary on Discovery who simulated a battle between a Gurkha vs a French Foreign Legionnaire. If i remember correctly, it was ruled too close to call.

The dioramas in the museum look very impressive. Great video!

I served 12 years in the Grenadier Guards, I did 3 tours of Northern Ireland totalling 6½ years

Also not forgetting our brothers💂‍♀️across the pond. The Canadian Grenadier Guards and Governor General’s Guards. Reserve infantry units.🟦🟥🟦

Outstanding video about the Foot Guards Regiments, I’m former 1st & 2nd Battalions Scots Guards. When I went to the G Company 2nd Bn Scots Guards most of my NCOs were all Falklands Veterans. Would be great to see some videos of the Guards Parachute Platoon & G Squadron 22 SAS. 💂‍♂️🔵🔴🔵💂‍♂️

The guards parachute regiment became the guards parachute company and is now the guards parachute platoon which consists of all 7 regiments, that is to say the 2 Household Cavalry Regiment's The 2 cavalry regiments also served in the Guards machine gun regiment in WW1. Originally there were 3 regiments of foot and 3 of horse,, Grenadier, Coldstream and Scots guards of foot, then The1st Lifeguards, 2nd Lifeguards and The Rpyal Horseguards (the Blues).

At the time of The Battle of Waterloo in 1815. A King Louis the 18th was a Restoration to the Throne of France. I have great Respect for him. 🏰👑⚔️🛡️⚜️⚜️⚜️🛡️⚔️👑🏰

I don't know if it's still the case but years ago, when the BBC did a documentary on Parachute Regiment recruit training, they said Paras and Guards applicants have to go through two medicals to get in, because of the physical demands of their role. All other units complete one medical.

On the 31st of August this year for my 33 Birthday, my parents and I went to visit Wellington Arch. After we went to The 1st Duke of Wellington's Coronation Robes in Apsley House. After we went to The Household Cavalry Museum at Whitehall.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Wow, this was so interesting. My Grandfather fought in The Irish Guards during WW1. Sadly, he died before I was Born.

I hope 1 day you'll be able to get to the Crimea and cover those battles like Inkkerman that the Guards fought in

Great info, i could watch this for hours. A different aspect taken by using the Guards Regiments. Nice.

Awesome channel. Make British military history great again! I visited that museum along with 17 more regimental ones, plus the National Army, Duxford and Bovington. Spent 6 weeks driving across the UK. My wife was armed out but she saw her stuff too😊

Total respect ! The best of the best ! So proud of you guys !

Fantastic history mate keep it coming .. Im proud to say my family have Charles Aldridge Burt who served in the Scots and then Irish Guards, myself 10 years in RAC ... cheers

Currator should be wearing the Guards tie. Superb video. I remember well my visit to this museum and talking to the Guards veterans.

Garden Real Di Irelande. "Only good enough to guard a p*** pot in a palace!" A line from one of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books.

My parents and I have the dvd of 1970 Waterloo.

Thanks, Chris. All your RU-vid are interesting, informative and well made. This ranks high in your best, absolutely fascinating.

A fantastic museum and your channel is great, thank you for your hard work!

Excellently covered and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.

Cheers for this ,Well done.

You should do a video on their mounted counterparts, the Household Cavalry, another group of active serving soldiers that commonly get mistaken for purely ceremonial troops.

Great video & very educational too! Next time I’m in London, I plan on visiting that museum!

Excellent, well done. Really educational narration.

Very good video . Thanks .

Absolute quality content mate. Watched all the way through, learned so much.👍

Another great post thanks. I 'treated' my daughters to a visit to this museum earlier this year and it is a real gem with some amazing artefacts.

Great bit of history about the different Guards Regiments, I knew some of it being a Veteran "auld sweat",but found the way you presented it very informative.

Great video, feels like the SAS have stolen a bit of there thunder sadly. I think it’s because people confuse special forces and elite infantry. There all hero is my book.

Another excellent job Chris, the Guards Museum displays were very well put together and informative.👍 great stuff.

Served in the Coldstream Guards from 1964 to 1971. Two & half years in the Guards Parachute Company. Did tours to South Arabia, Mauritius, Germany & Northern Ireland. A total of 15 months Public Duties & two Trooping of the Colour.

Nice one mate. Enjoy that! Thank you.

My Grandfather was in the Coldstream Guards before WWI, I have a photograph of him and five others in a dugout, they’re wearing an assortment of uniforms items, mostly with pork pie hats but one older man is wearing what looks like the WWI style uniform and peaked cap, there are skulls and long bones sticking out from the earth wall! Some of the skulls have very long black hair attached! I assume it’s in the Sudan.

Well done!

Hello Chris, great video mate, some very interesting things, I didn't know that about the five guards uniforms and buttons, stay safe mate, Lee.

wow, this was a good video, thanks. i visited the guards museum about a month ago, and it was great. i hope to join the guards (Coldstream guards) one day. i enjoyed learning new things from this video. thank you

Superb Chris as usual

Regarding the Crimean War, as badly prepared as the British were the Russians were in an even worse state, an instance was the muskets carried, although caplock rifled muzzle loading rifles had been around for over ten years by the time the war began the Russian Army was still primarily armed with flintlock smooth bore muskets whereas the British Army had equipped over half their forces with caplock rifled weapons.

Excellent video!

Good to see a Guards Independent Paraqchute Company Mk 2 Ferret at the begining of the video

No mention of the cream of the Brigade of Guards, The Household Cavalry much more interesting 🐎

Really interesting, thanks

So much to cover, obviously something has to be left out No mention of G Squadron!!! Didn't Hear Guards Armoured Regiment either or Guards Parachute Platoon I think it is currently but in the past was an INDEPENDENT Parachute Company and I believe was a major part in formation of G Squadron itself. But nonetheless an extremely informative and interesting video .

Brilliant really enjoyed that 👍

And the Coldstream Guards motto SECOND TO NONE

Mate of mine was a young Marine officer in The Falklands in 1982 he thought the Scots and Welsh Guards soldiers and NCO's were excellent . He thought the officers quite frankly belonged in another century and had a rather over inflated opinion of themselves .

What’s the name of the painting at 9:15?

Proud Scots Guard Veteran 🇬🇧

6 years later, still no blues and royals video

Could you do this regimental history for other regiments as well please.

When I was a kid, whenever I watched those guards in Bearskin Cap I thought they were professional honour guards and only defend the palace and the queen. I was wrong… 😮

Irish guards, 'royal' blue is the Irish national colour, green is a tourist thing and dates back way long before Great Britain was a thing and hence carried in, Harp being the symble and only displayed in gold

Hello Chris; perhaps you or some of your followers may enlighten me. I have been trying to find out the physical requirements (basically height) for joining the guards before WW1 or even before the1980s. I have noticed (and learned from ex-guardsmen's comments in different videos) that the physical standards have fallen quite badly. Obviously, the Army is no longer an attractive institution as it used to be and volunteers must be hard to find. Thank you very much. Love your videos. Greetings from Buenos Aires. PS: I remember reading that withing each regiment of the Foot Guards there is a Queen's or King's company in charge of ceremonial duties and this company is made-up by the tallest and smartest guardsmen in the battalion. Is that correct?

Imagine being such a badass that you’re too busy impaling people with flagpoles to draw your pistol.

I'm super into history, and I've often wondered why there was a color gaurd. I just thought it was purely ceremonial.

Very interesting, thanks. Ex Gren

What an excellent chanel.. When at Pirbright as a young junior Coldstreamer , my favourite aspects of training was the field craft and the bayonet stuff we did. And I tell you what the NCOs got us so siked up, ( I won't swear ) .. But it went effing tear his guts out, kill him... What's a bayonet for? Rip his effing guts out... you felt like some kind of machine..it was mental, but fun.. When I was in basic, the first Gulf War was starting, and we saw the Tomohawk cruse missiles going in. Am sooo glad I didn't have to fight, but of course would have, if ordered to do so. My least favourite part was when I got double creases in me parade shirts, and got marched down the guard room in double quick time and had to scrub the wall with the DREADED 3 HEADED BASTARD... But at 16/17 by christ, I could run like a whippet, was also good at volting over high walls and obstacles... Now at 49, am still not bad on a tred mill...👍😂

I’ll have a go with that Afghan made Martini! Just give me a minute or two to check the headspace and look for bulges and cracks in a couple critical spots.

Super Chris👍👍👍

I so wish this video was obligatory to watch beforehand for the often awful visitors at Horseguards. Too many of them treat these men and women with such disrespect when they deserve so much more.

yes i was in 2 CG i did 6 years

The Scots Guards are the oldest guard unit being raised in 1642. There is an interesting story as to why they lost their seniority.

I was told that SG have no plume because they were raised as a regiment of fusiliers. Is that true?

Coldstream guards formed 1650. . We do not agree we are the second place.. hence the Moto.. Second to none...

I would like to visit the guards museum

Dutch troops under the command of prince willem the second defeated napoleon's elite guards and decided the battle of waterloo

When I went . It's not free. It was £15 to get in. And we said nooooooo. Interesting history though 👍👾

Now that's soldering. First

Didnt do too well at saratoga Yorktown or new orleans Only just won at waterloo Thanks to prussian help!