The Coldstream Guards

The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army. As part of the Household Division, one of its principal roles is the protection of the monarchy; due to this, it often participates in state ceremonial occasions. The Regiment has consistently provided formations on deployments around the world and has fought in the majority of the major conflicts in which the British Army has been engaged. The Regiment has been in continuous service and has never been amalgamated. It was formed in 1650 as Monck's Regiment of Foot through the amalgamation of five companies each from Colonel George Fenwick's Regiment of Foot (raised in 1648 for Parliament during the Second English Civil War) and Sir Arthur Haselrig's Regiment of Foot (raised in 1643 for Parliament during the First English Civil War), 10 companies in total, and was then renamed the Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards after the Restoration in 1660. With George Monck's death in 1670 it was again renamed the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards after the location in Scotland from which it marched to help restore the monarchy in 1660. Its name was again changed to the Coldstream Guards in 1855 and this is still its present title. Today, the Regiment consists of: Regimental Headquarters, a single battalion (1st Battalion), an independent incremental company (Number 7 Company, maintaining the customs and traditions, as well as carrying the Colours of 2nd Battalion), a Regimental Band, a reserve company (Number 17 Company) and individuals at training establishments and other extra regimental employment.