Coldstream Guards making their way to Berwick from Kings Cross train station

[whole diary]

[infoman]

Being reported LIVE on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) breakfast news on 10 June,

just wondering if they MIGHT try to get some live coverage while the train is in motion!

[grahame]

Being reported LIVE on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) breakfast news on 10 June,

just wondering if they MIGHT try to get some live coverage while the train is in motion!

I have ... wondered at times ... why a village like Coldstream needs its own special guards ... but I digress!

[TaplowGreen]

Being reported LIVE on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) breakfast news on 10 June,

just wondering if they MIGHT try to get some live coverage while the train is in motion!

I have ... wondered at times ... why a village like Coldstream needs its own special guards ... but I digress!

Perhaps it's time for the Melksham militia?

[infoman]

Think its because soldiers many years ago were based at Berwick,
due to events happening they re located to Coldstream and were part of Oliver Cromwells army.
Who then marched on London to remove the King.
How times have changed.
If any thing is in correct,please advise.

[Clan Line]

How times have changed.

Indeed...............it took them five weeks to get to London in 1660, by train it took them three and a half hours !

The regiment was originally formed in 1650 as part of Cromwell's New Model Army. They did all that walking, some 10 years later, to support the (peaceful) restoration of the monarchy - after Cromwell abdicated.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Coldstream Guards mark 375th anniversary



To mark the 375th anniversary of the regiment's formation, the Coldstream Guards boarded a train in London and travelled back to its birthplace in Berwick-upon-Tweed, where crowds lined the streets to welcome the guardsmen home.

In full ceremonial dress, the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army paraded through the border town with the Band of the Coldstream Guards.







The regiment was formed in Berwick in 1650, but in 1660 marched down to London to help restore the monarchy, dissolve Parliament and bring Charles II back to the throne.

Back then, the journey took five weeks. Tuesday's trip, by contrast, took just a few hours - with the guards back in London by evening.





Following the parade, the guardsmen attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Berwick Parish Church.

The soldiers were joined by the Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General Sir James Bucknall, and the Mayor of Berwick at the Guildhall for an inspection and civic reception.

Formed in 1650 during the English Civil War, the regiment has served in every major conflict since and earned 113 battle honours and 13 Victoria Crosses.

After returning to London, the regiment will be presented with new Colours at Windsor Castle before taking centre stage at Trooping the Colour on 14 June, where they will troop the new flags for the King's official birthday.

[stuving]

Think its because soldiers many years ago were based at Berwick,
due to events happening they re located to Coldstream and were part of Oliver Cromwells army.
Who then marched on London to remove the King.
How times have changed.
If any thing is in correct,please advise.

Well, sort of, though they were if anything on the other side at this time. General Monck was commander in chief of Parliament's armies in Scotland during the period after Oliver Cromwell's death. Richard Cromwell was unable to exert any authority over the army commanders in London, who were acting on conflicting groups to determine the future of Parliament and the country. meanwhile, outside London most people were just fed up with all this puritan stuff and the politicking.

Monck had been in command of what became the Coldstreams at the start in Berwick, and now picked them for his march to London to sort out the mess down there. His other armies, including the garrison of Edinburgh, he left with his second in command, Thomas Morgan. Presumably the Coldstreams were keeping the peace in the borders. Monck had been in contact with Charles Stuart in his exile, and was manoeuvring to get a settlement agreed before he had to confront anyone in London. Which is much how it happened, though the politics of this period is insanely complicated.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Think its because soldiers many years ago were based at Berwick,
due to events happening they re located to Coldstream and were part of Oliver Cromwells army.
Who then marched on London to remove the King.
How times have changed.
If any thing is in correct,please advise.

Well, sort of, though they were if anything on the other side at this time ... though the politics of this period is insanely complicated.

As an amateur historian, I'd agree with you on that one. 

CfN. 

[broadgage]

I am a bit surprised that troops were allowed to carry rifles at a major station, and on the train.
I appreciate that HM forces presumably have an exemption that permits the carrying of weapons in public, but am surprised that it was done in peacetime.

[infoman]

In my opinion I don't there is anything wrong with having the rifles on display,don't think they would have had bullets in them though.

[broadgage]

In my opinion I don't there is anything wrong with having the rifles on display, don't think they would have had bullets in them though.

I agree, but am still surprised that the military authorities allowed this. I support HM forces and have no problem with such forces carrying weapons.

[Oxonhutch]

I agree, but am still surprised that the military authorities allowed this. I support HM forces and have no problem with such forces carrying weapons.

My old man, as a National Serviceman in the late 1950's, found himself in front of the RSM having been seen cycling home to his married accommodation, 5 miles from camp, with his Lee Enfield slung over his shoulder. It was always kept safe at night in the bedroom wardrobe! 

Apparently it was a no - no even then for a soldier to carry a firearm off camp. From that day hence it stayed in the armoury until his very last parade - by which time they had changed rifle type - and the drill. 

I suspect that on parade - which I suspect all these Guardsmen are - things are different.

[Chris from Nailsea]

In my opinion I don't there is anything wrong with having the rifles on display, don't think they would have had bullets in them though.

I agree, but am still surprised that the military authorities allowed this. I support HM forces and have no problem with such forces carrying weapons.

I rather think that the relevant military authorities actually 'arranged' this, rather than just 'allowing' it: it was a very big public relations event, after all.