History, Privileges, Customs and Postings

Formation

The Regiment was formed in Bruges, Flanders in May of 1656, the Regiment was formed from loyal men who had gone into exile with King Charles II rather than live in tyranny under Cromwell, the Regiments Colonel was Lord Thomas Wentworth and so there the Regiment was formed in a region of Europe that would become more than familiar over the next almost four centuries.

A Regiment of Grenadiers

On the 29th July 1815 the following order was published

“In the name of the King, HRH The Prince Regent has been pleased to approve that the Regiment should henceforth be 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 Guards at Waterloo”

The Primary Badge of the Regiment

The Royal Cypher reversed and interlaced, surrounded by the most noble order of the garter and surmounted by the Imperial Crown

The Secondary Badge worn in Forage Caps and berets

Many honours were taken after the Battle of Waterloo by the Regiment to remember this historic victory, not only was the Regiment re-named but it was also awarded the French “Grenade Enflammee” or flaming Grenade as a cap badge.

Our Secondary Cap Badge is known to the Regiment as the Grenade Fired Proper (Which is a battle honour worn with pride)

In heraldry we can break down the meaning of the cap badge:

Grenade: A hollow, ball-shaped iron bomb with a small neck at the top

Fired: A bursting flame is actively shooting or erupting out of the top neck of the ball

Proper: The entire object is painted in it’s realistic, natural colours

(It will also be a visual reminder to the soldier of how it is to be when thrown, such as pulling the pin from a modern grenade)

There are 17 flames to the Grenade cap badge whilst each flame point does not represent anything at all, those 17 flames are unique to the Grenadier Guards, whilst other units in the British Army may have a Grenade Fired Proper as a cap badge 17 flames is unique to the Grenadier Guards only. In the Victorian and Edwardian period Grenades were designed and manufactured with 13 and 15 flames and at the time of issue were unique to the Regiment.

The bearskin cap, white plume and curb chain

All Grenadier Companies in Infantry Regiments of the British Army wore the distinctive bearskin caps, when the First Foot Guards became the First or Grenadier regiment of Foot Guards a Regiment of Grenadiers each man was to wear the Bearskin Cap, continued to this day by the men and women that serve in the Regiment, to create uniformity in the Brigade of Guards in 1832 King William IV granted the Coldstream and Scots Guards the bearskin cap.

To make the bearskin cap presentable on parade, the fringe was brushed down and from the sides was brushed back to produce the effect of an apple at the front and a pear from behind, to create the all over spikiness bearskins were left hanging upside down for hours in preparation for wear.

The white plume of the Grenadiers is seen from a flank but never from the front or rear when fitted in the bearskin cap

The curb chain is facial armour to protect soldiers when this was worn in battle from sword attack, the brass links can be gently and carefully bent so that the curb chain fits flat to an individuals face.

Grenadier Guards Rank

Private soldiers were granted the right to be called Guardsman in 1919 by King George V

Lance Corporals wear two chevrons (stripes) as Queen Victoria did not like to see only one chevron on a tunic

Corporal’s are appointed Lance Sergeants and have full Sergeants Mess rights, in Guard Order they wear three white chevrons.

Guardsman, Lance Corporal’s and Lance Sergeant’s all wear the Grenade cap badge as seen above and all wear the same style tunic.

Sergeants wear three gold chevron’s in Guard order to distinguish themselves from Lance Sergeants, they wear a red sash and their grenade cap badge has the royal cypher reversed and interlaced surmounted by the crown embossed in the ball of the grenade.

Colour Sergeants wear three gold chevrons with a Colour badge sewn on top, they wear the same cap badge as a Gold Sergeant. When a Colour Sergeant is appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant he is called the ‘Pay Sergeant’. Pay Sergeant is a spoken word and when writing is always the CQMS or Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Up until the 1950’s the Company Quartermaster Sergeant would issue the pay on pay parade.

Warrant Officer Class II, a WOII is known as the Company Sergeant Major and in Guard Order wears a Colour Badge on the upper right arm of his scarlet tunic. The Training Warrant Officer is known as the Company Sergeant Major Instructor Musketry or CSMIM. On ceremonial duties the day today preparation for duties is run by the Drill Sergeants who are senior Warrant Officer Class II’s. The Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant’s rank badge changes to that of a crown with laurel worn on the right wrist.

The Regimental Sergeant Major is known as ‘The Sergeant Major’ and wears the large Royal Coat of Arms on his upper right arm, he is the senior Non-Commissioned Rank in the Battalion.

The Staff Grenade is worn by all Warrant Officers and Battalion Staff in forage caps and berets, it is a brass grenade with separate silver cypher and crown.

Grenadiers will never say Sergeant it is shortened to Ser’nt! (sounds like SARNT)

Grenadiers will never say ‘yes’, when responding to an order or question they will answer ‘Sir’ if the answer is negative they will answer ‘No Sir’

Until the 7th November 1920 a grenade badge was worn on the shoulder strap of a scarlet tunic but this was then replaced by the Royal Cypher.

As the First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards the buttons on a Grenadiers tunic are evenly spaced or in one’s.

In Winter months members of the Regiment in Ceremonial uniform will wear the Great Coat with rank worn on the lower right arm so that rank can be seen if wearing the cape on over the top.

Brigade Order

When displaying the Foot Guards cap badges in order we use Brigade order.

In 1832 to create uniformity in the Brigade of Guards the Coldstream and Scots Guards were allowed to wear the Bearskin Cap.

On campaigns Guards Brigades were formed from Battalions of the Brigade of Guards such as the Egyptian Campaigns in 1882 and 1885, in 1882 the 2nd Battalion fought at Tel El Kebir and in 1885 the 3rd Battalion at Suakin.

On the 15th August 1915 The Guards Division was formed with now all five Regiments of Foot Guards in Guards Brigades within the Divison.

In 1941 The Guards Armoured Division was formed including Guardsmen in Tanks but was disbanded in 1945 when the Armoured Battalions reverted to Infantry and the Guards Division now included all Foot Guard Battalions.

In 1970 the Household Division was formed and now included all The Guards Division (Foot Guards) and both Regiments of the Household Cavalry.

In Brigade order the Senior Regiments flank the Junior, originally it was the First Foot Guards on the right Flank, the Scots in the Centre and the Coldstream on the left Flank. With the inclusion of the Irish Guards in 1900 we now have the Micks between the Scots and Coldstream and in 1915 the Welsh Guards were added to the Brigade order and being the Junior Regiment in Brigade Order went in the centre.

When displaying the Cap Badges of the Foot Guards in the correct Brigade Order they should be Grenadier, Scots, Welsh, Irish and Coldstream Guards respectively.

Freedom Parades

All Battalions of the Regiment have the right to march through the City of London with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. Battalions are invariably to exercise this right when marching through the City boundaries, but are to inform the Lord Mayor of their intention to do so. The right, formerly possessed by the 3rd Battalion only, was extended to the remaining Battalions of the Regiment in October 1915. The authentic challenge to a body of troops entering the City boundaries, and the reply, is:

As the head of the Battalion approaches the City boundary, the City Marshal, mounted, stands in the middle of the road.
The Commanding Officer halts the Battalion and then rides forward.
The City Marshal then calls out “Who comes there?”
The Commanding Officer replies “The First Battalion Grenadier Guards exercising their ancient privilege and right to enter the City of London with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.”
The City Marshal replies “I have it on the authority of the Lord Mayor to receive and attend your Battalion through the City.” He salutes and leads the Battalion through the City, past the Mansion House to the City boundary.

On 4 March 1964, the Council of the City of Manchester resolved unanimously that the Council “place on record their great admiration and appreciation of the renowned achievements and glorious traditions” of the Regiment. On 16 May 1964, at a parade in Manchester, a Scroll of Honour was presented to the Regiment recording the resolution of the City Council to grant the Regiment the right to march through the City with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. It is not correct to refer to this honour as one of receiving the Freedom of the City, although the privileges bestowed are similar.

In pursuance of a resolution passed at a special meeting of the City Council of Worcester on the 27th April 1999, “it was resolved that in recognition of the long and close association between the City and the Regiment, the City confer upon the Grenadier Guards Regiment the right, privilege and honour of entering and marching through the City on ceremonial occasions with sword drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, band playing and Colours flying”. A Scroll of Honour recording this was presented to the Regiment at a Parade in Worcester on the 22nd May 1999.

Whereas at a special meeting of the Council of the City of Lincoln held at the Guildhall, Saltergate, Lincoln on the eighth day of May, two thousand and eight, it was proposed and resolved unanimously that pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, The Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln do confer the Honorary Freedom of the City upon the Officer Commanding, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Junior Ranks of The Grenadier Guards in recognition of the important contribution which they have made to the City and the Nation during war and peace as well as continuing their traditional and privileged tasks of mounting guard over the Sovereign and in the certainty that the close ties which bind the Grenadier Guards and the City will draw even closer. We, the Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln have resolved to admit and have admitted the Grenadier Guards in perpetuity to the Honorary Freedom of the City of Lincoln.

Suspended Animation

The Inkerman Company

When the 3rd Battalion of the Regiment was placed in suspended animation on 31st March 1961, Her Majesty The Queen directed that a composite company should be formed from all ranks of the 3rd Battalion and should become the Left Flank Company of the 2nd Battalion in order to keep alive the traditions of the 3rd Battalion. Her Majesty directed that this new Company should be known as The Inkerman Company. The Company Call of The Inkerman Company is the former 3rd Battalion Call. The Inkerman Company became the third rifle company of the 1st Battalion when the 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation.

Nijmegen Company

Nijmegen Company was formed on the 3rd August 1994 from Number Two Company of the 2nd Battalion and elements of the remainder of the Battalion including the Corps of Drums. The 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation on the 5th November 1994 as a result of the 1993 round of defence cuts. Nijmegen Company was formed as a Public Duties Incremental Company and carries the Colours of the 2nd Battalion and maintains its customs and traditions. Nijmegen Company’s Company Colour was formerly that of Support Company in the 2nd Battalion.

Other Privileges

Apart from the privileges set out in Her Majesty’s Regulations for the Household Division, the Grenadier Guards have the following privileges:

The King’s Company has the privilege of being on duty in Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the Coronation of the Sovereign.
The King’s Company performs the duty of watching over the dead body of a Sovereign prior to any public lying-in-state, and the Company Colour of the King’s Company is buried with the Sovereign at the commitment. The King’s Company provides the Bearer Party at the Sovereign’s funeral.

Customs

Hyde Park Corner

It is a custom of the Regiment to march at attention across Hyde Park Corner. This custom dates from the days when the first Duke of Wellington lived at Apsley House, and the troops of the Brigade were invariably called to attention when passing his residence. Ever since his death the custom has been kept up by the Regiment.

Dress

At the funeral of Charles II the Arms of England and of France were incorporated on the mourning band. It is to commemorate this that the Fleur-de-Lys is worked in braid on the tunics of Drummers of the Regiment. The practice has been adopted for all Drummers of Regiments’ of the Household Division.
The grouping of buttons on the tunic is a common way to distinguish between the regiments of Foot Guards. Grenadier Guards’ buttons are equally spaced and embossed with the Royal Cypher reversed and interlaced.
The Royal Cypher surrounded by the Royal Garter bearing the motto Honi Soit qui mal y pense (Evil be to him who evil thinks ) is worn on the shoulder of Home Service Clothing [Tunics]The Grenadiers’ “Buff Belt” brass clasps (Lockets Union) also carry the Royal Cypher.

Company Colours

The Company Colour above is that of the King’s Company, the Company Commander is His Majesty the King, the Officer that runs the Company on His Majesty’s behalf is called The Captain, his second in command is known as The Second Captain.

Warrant Officer First Class Damian Thomas on Duty at the dais on the 9th June 2026 carrying the Colonels Colour.

Under Royal Warrant of King Charles II, twenty four colours were issued to the Regiment for use as Company Colours: on each was a Royal badge. In 1854, Queen Victoria’s sanction was obtained for an additional series of six badges. Since that time thirty Company Badges have remained in use in the Regiment and are the basis of our Colours today.

Company Colours are used on many parades including The King’s Birthday Parades and seen here at the dais for the Presentation of New Colours to the 1st Battalion in Buckingham Palace on the 9th June 2026.

Company Colours ceased to be re-issued after 1838 except for those issued in rotation as Regimental Colours to Battalions. After 1859 these were issued as, and under the title of, Regimental rather than Company Colours.
The Company Badges are now borne in rotation on the Regimental Colours of Battalions and on the thirty Company marking flags, properly known as Camp Flags or Camp Colours.

Battalion Postings

1st Battalion from 1850 to present

1850 From 1^st March The Barracks Chichester, from 4^th September HM Tower of London

1851 From 7^th March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 23^rd October Wellington Barracks

1852 From 2^nd March St John’s Wood Barracks, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1853 From 2^nd March The Barracks Chichester, from 20^th August Portman Street Barracks

1854 From February St George’s Barracks, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1855 From 1^st March HM Tower of London, from 13^th June St George’s Barracks, Kensington Barracks and the Hyde Park Magazine

1856 From 29^th February Wellington Barracks, from 9^th July Aldershot, from 6^th December Portman Street Barracks, St John’s Wood Barracks and Kensington Barracks.

1857 From 3^rd March Kensington Barracks, from 28^th May Wellington Barracks and Kensington Barracks, from 1^st September St George’s Barracks, Kensington Barracks, Hyde Park Magazine and Buckingham Palace Barracks, from 20^th November Portman Street Barracks

1858 From 15^th April HM Tower of London, from 1^st July HM Tower of London, from 3^rd August Aldershot, from 1^st-2^nd September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1859 From 1^st April Wellington Barracks and Buckingham Palace Barracks

1860 From 3^rd April St George’s Barracks, Kensington Barracks and Hyde Park Magazine, from 2^nd October Royal Barracks, Dublin

1861 From April Dublin including Curragh Camp, from 18^th June Dublin including Curragh Camp, from October HM Tower of London

1862 From April Montreal, Canada, from 5^th September Canada

1863 From April Canada, from 25^th September Canada

1864 From 1^st April Canada, from 15^th September Chelsea Barracks

1865 From 31^st March Wellington Barracks, Buckingham Palace and the Hyde Park Magazine, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1866 From 1^st March St George’s Barracks and Chelsea Barracks, from 31^st August Chelsea Barracks.

1867 From 1^st March HM Tower of London, from 3^rd September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks Windsor

1868 From 4^th March Wellington Barracks, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1869 From 3^rd March Dublin, from 1^st September Dublin

1870 From 3^rd March Chelsea Barracks, from 1^st September HM Tower of London

11871 From 1^st March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 27^th September Wellington Barracks

1872 From 1^st January Wellington Barracks, from 14^th September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1873 From 1^st January Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 18^th August HM Tower of London, from 11^th-12^th September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1874 From 28^th April HM Tower of London, from 2^nd July Aldershot, from 1^st August HM Tower of London, from 1^st October Wellington Barracks, Kensington Church Street Barracks and Buckingham Palace

1875 From 3^rd April Curragh Camp, County Kildare, from 14^th September Beggar’s Bush Barracks, Dublin

1876 From 30^th March Chelsea Barracks

1877 From 1^st March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 4^th September HM Tower of London

1878 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks

1879 From 4^th March Shorncliffe Camp, from 1^st July Aldershot, from 26^th July Wellington Barracks.

1880 From 3^rd March Chelsea Barracks, from 29^th June Aldershot, from 26^th July Chelsea Barracks
1881 From 24^th February Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor from 31^st August Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks
1882 From 1stt March Wellington Barracks, from 14^th September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks.

1883 From 1^st January HM Tower of London, from 1^st March Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 26^th March Aldershot, From 12^th April Five Companies at Chelsea three at St Georges

1884 From May, North Camp, from 25^th July Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 28^th August Richmond Barracks, Dublin
1885 From 15^th September Victoria Barracks

1886 From 7^th September Wellington Barracks

1887 From 1^st January Wellington Barracks, from 25^th July Pirbright Camp, from 20^th August Wellington Barracks, from 3^rd September Wellington Barracks

1888 From 1^st May Pirbright Camp, from 11^th June Wellington Barracks, from 6^th September HM Tower of London
1889 from 27^th April Pirbright Camp, from 25^th July HM Tower of London, from 3^rd September Chelsea Barracks

1890 From 1^st May Pirbright Camp, from June Chelsea Barracks, from 6-9^th September Richmond Barracks Dublin

1891 From 20^th September Pirbright Camp, from 7^th October Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks
1892 From 20^th June Pirbright Camp, from 16^th July Victoria Barracks

1893 From 16^th September Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks
1894 From 1^st January Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks, From 28^th May Pirbright Camp, From 30^th August Wellington Barracks

1895 From 3^rd July Pirbright Camp, from 20^th July Wellington Barracks

1896 From 28^th April Pirbright Camp, from 12^th June HM Tower of London, from 5^th August Wellington Barracks from 14^th September HM Tower of London
1897 From 30^th April Wellington Barracks, From 12^th June Pirbright Camp, From 28^th September Embarkation to Gibraltar arrived Buena Vista Barracks 3^rd October
1898 Buena Vista Barracks, Gibraltar from 19^th July Egypt arrived 20^th July and Sudan (Battle of Omdurman 2^nd September) from 6^th October Wellington Barracks

1899 From April Pirbright Camp, From June Wellington Barracks, from 2^nd September Victoria Barracks

1900 From 1^st January various Companies detached to Chelsea, Pirbright and Wellington Barracks covering for the 2^nd & 3^rd Battalions engaged in the Boer War
1901 From 25^th April Wellington Barracks

1902 From April Pirbright Camp, From June Wellington Barracks, from 3^rd December Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot
1903 From 9^th October Chelsea Barracks

1904 From 28^th June Pirbright Camp, from 15^th to 25^th September HM Tower of London
1905 Pirbright Camp, from 2^nd May, Wellington Barracks from 4^th July, HM Tower of London from29th August, Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot from 10^th October

1906 From 29^th September Wellington Barracks
1907 Pirbright Camp from 1^st May, from 6^th June Wellington Barracks, from 4^th October Victoria Barracks
1908 From 2^nd October Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot

1909 From 1^st October Chelsea Barracks
1910 From 8^th June Pirbright Camp, from 28^th June recalled to London, from 29^th June Pirbright Camp, from 14^th June Chelsea Barracks, from 4^th October Wellington Barracks
1911 From 25^th February HM Tower of London, from 23^rd March Wellington Barracks, from 22^nd July Pirbright Camp, from 26^th August Wellington Barracks, from 5^th October Chelsea Barracks
1912 From 29^th April Pirbright Camp, from 7^th June Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot, from 4^th October North Camp, Aldershot

1913 From 8^th October Warley Barracks, Brentwood
1914 From 13^th May Wellington Barracks, from 15^th July HM Tower of London and back to Wellington Barracks, from 15^th September Lyndhurst, New Forest
1914 From 4^th October France and Flanders 7^th Division
1915 From 15^th August France and Flanders Guard Division
1919 London: Tower

1920 Waterloo Barracks HM Tower of London
1921 Wimbledon Camp. Wellington Barracks, London

1922 Chelsea Barracks, London
1923 Chelsea Barracks, London

1924 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot
1925 Wellington Barracks, London. Pirbright Camp

1926 Victoria Barracks, Windsor
1927 Chelsea Barracks, London

1928 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot. Waterloo Barracks HM Tower of London
1929 Waterloo Barracks HM Tower of London. Wellington Barracks, London

1930 Wellington Barracks, London. Kasr el Nil, Barracks, Cairo, Egypt
1931 Kasr el Nil, Barracks, Cairo, Egypt

1932 Kasr el Nil, Barracks, Cairo, Egypt
1933 Warley Barracks, Brentwood. Albuhera Barracks, Aldershot.
1934 Albuhera Barracks, Aldershot. Victoria Barracks, Windsor
1935 Wellington Barracks, London
1936 Wellington Barracks, London

1937 Chelsea Barracks, London. Wellington Barracks, London

1938 Wellington Barracks, London
1939 Chelsea Barracks, London
1939.09 France & Belgium 3 Inf Div, BEF
1940.06 UK
1941.09 UK motor bn, Gds Armd Div
1944.06 NW Europe

1945 Kriegsmarine Barracks Northen Germany

1946 D Lines Pirbright, Chelsea Barracks and Victoria Barracks in Windsor

1947 Victoria Barracks Windsor and Chelsea Barracks
1948 From February Palestine 1 Gds Bde, from June to Libya

1949 Wellington Barracks and Chelsea Barracks

1950 London
1951 London
1952 From February Egypt

1953 London
1954 Berlin Berlin Bde
1955 Germany: Hubblerath 4 Gds Bde

1956 Lydd, Kent
1957 London

1958 Hubbelrath, Germany BAOR
1959.04 England: Tidworth 2 Inf Bde and October Tidworth 1 Gds Bde
1960.10 Tidworth 5 Inf Bde
1961 From May (Cameroons) and from October England: Tidworth

1962 Kandahar Barracks, Tidworth
1963 From November Germany: Hubblerath 4 Gds Bde

1964 Harding Barracks, Wuppertal BAOR

1965 UN Cyprus
1966 From April London

1967 Munster BAOR

1968 October Sharjah
1969 Sharjah to June and Northern Ireland in December
1970 From April London
1971.08 (Northern Ireland) and 1971.10 London
1972.02 Germany: Münster 4 Armd Bde and October (Northern Ireland)
1973.03 Germany: Münster 4 Armd Bde
1974.03 (Northern Ireland) and July Germany: Münster 4 Armd Bde and December London

1975
1976.10 (Northern Ireland)
1977.01 London
1978.11 (Northern Ireland)
1979.03 London and September Berlin Berlin Bde

1980 Berlin
1981 Berlin and Hounslow (5^th December)

1981 Hounslow

1982 Hounslow
1983.10 Hounslow, Kenya and Northern Ireland
1984.02 Northern Ireland and Hounslow

1985 Hounslow
1986.01 Hounslow and Germany: Münster 4 Armd Bde [first Warrior bn]
1986.09 Munster and Northern Ireland
1987.01 Northern Ireland and Germany: Münster 4 Armd Bde

1988 Munster

1989 Munster

1990 Munster and Gulf War 1
1991 Munster and Wellington Barracks

1992 Wellington Barracks
1993.09 Wellington Barracks Northern Ireland
1994.03 Northern Ireland and Wellington Barracks

1995 Wellington Barracks
1996.03 Wellington Barracks and Northern Ireland: Ballykinler 39 Inf Bde

1997 Ballykinler
1998.01 Ballykinler and Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright

1999 USA, Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright and Dungannon
2000 Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright
2001.05 Windsor (Victoria Barracks) 12 Armd Bde
2001.11 Northern Ireland
2002.05 Windsor (Victoria Barracks) 12 Mech Bde
2003.07 Falkland Islands
2003.10 Windsor (Victoria Barracks) 12 Mech Bde
2004.12 (Bosnia)

2010 Wellington Barracks

2011 Wellington Barracks

2012 Wellington Barracks and Lille Barracks

2nd Battalion postings from 1850-19194

1850 From 1^st March St John’s Wood Barracks, from 4^th September Portman Street Barracks

1851 From 7^th March Winchester, from 23^rd December Sheet Street Infantry Barracks Windsor

1852 From 2^nd March HM Tower of London, From 1^st September Sy George’s Barracks

1853 From 2^nd March HM Tower of London, from 20^th August St John’s Wood Barracks

1854 From February Portman Street Barracks, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1855 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks for St George’s Barracks, 13^th June Wellington Barracks, from 23^rd August Aldershot, from 13^th December HM Tower of London

1856 From 29^th February Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 9^th July Dublin, from 6^th December Dublin

1857 From 3^rd March Dublin, from 28^th May Dublin, from 1^st December Wellington Barracks and Kensington Barracks, from 20^th November Wellington Barracks

1858 From 15^th April St George’s Barracks, Kensington and the Hyde Park Magazine, from 1^st July Aldershot, from 3^rd August Wellington Barracks, From 1-2^nd September Wellington Barracks

1859 From 1^st April HM Tower of London, from 29^th September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1860 From 3^rd April Portman Street and St John’s Wood Barracks, from 2^nd October Wellington Barracks

1861 From April Wellington Barracks, from 13^th June St George’s Barracks, Kensington Barracks and Hyde Park Magazine, from October Hyde Park Magazine.

1862 From April Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 5^th September Portman Street Barracks and St John’s Wood Barracks.

1863 From April Wellington Barracks, from 25^th September Wellington Barracks and Buckingham Palace Barracks

1864 From 1^st April St George’s Barracks and Chelsea Barracks, from 15^th September Shorncliffe

1865 From 31^st March HM Tower of London, from 1^st September Sheet Street, Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1866 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks, the Hyde Park Magazine, Kensington Barracks and Buckingham Palace Barracks, from 31^st August Wellington Barracks

1867 From 1^st March Chelsea Barracks, from 3^rd September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1868 From 4^th March Wellington Barracks from 1^st September HM Tower of London

1869 From 3^rd March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 1^st September Chelsea Barracks

1870 From 3^rd March Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1871 From 1^st March Dublin, from 27^th September Dublin

1872 From 1^st January Beggar’s Bush Barracks, Dublin, from 12-13^th April HM Tower of London, from 14^th September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1873 From 4^th April Wellington Barracks, from 16^th August Cannock Chase, from 12^th September Wellington Barracks, Kensington Church Street Barracks and Buckingham Palace

1874 From 28^th April Chelsea Barracks

1875 From 6^th April Sheet Street Infantry Barracks Windsor, from 1^st October HM Tower of London

1876 From 30^th March Chelsea Barracks and St George George’s Barracks, from July Aldershot, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1877 From 1^st March Shorncliffe Camp, from 4^th September Wellington Barracks

1878 From 1^st March Chelsea Barracks and Cove Common Camp, from 28^th July Chelsea Barracks

1879 From 4^th March HM Tower of London, from 2^nd September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1880 From 3^rd March Wellington Barracks, from 1^st September Shorncliffe Camp, from 7^th December Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks
1881 From 24^th February Chelsea Barracks, from 31^st August Sheet Street Infantry Barracks
1882 From 26^th January Cork Barracks, from 31^st July embarked for Egypt (Tel El Kebir) 30^th October embarked Alexandria for England, from 13^th November Chelsea Barracks

1883 From 1^st January Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 1^st March Wellington Barracks
1884 From 15^th July North Camp, from 28^th August HM Tower of London
1885 From March Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks , from September Chelsea Barracks

1886 From 8-12^th September Richmond Barracks, Dublin

1887 From 1^st July Curragh Camp, County Kildare, from 24^th August Richmond Barracks, Dublin, from 6^th September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks
1888 From July Pirbright Camp, from 6^th September Victoria Barracks

1889 From 3^rd September Wellington Barracks

1890 From 22^nd July embarked at Chatham for Bermuda
1891 Arrived back in England at Dover Citadel 28^th July, from 19^th September HM Tower of London

1892 From 25^th April Pirbright Camp, from 27^th June Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 25^th August Chelsea Barracks
1893 From 29^th April Pirbright Camp, from 19^th May Chelsea Barracks and Aldershot, from 22^nd September Richmond Barracks, Dublin
1894 From 26^th July five Companies to Chelsea Barracks, three Companies to Wellington Barracks and three Companies to St George’s Barracks
1895 From 17^th May Pirbright Camp, from 11^th June Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1896 From 28^th April Victoria Barracks
1897 From 30^th April Wellington Barracks, from 12^th June Pirbright Camp, from 28^th August Manoeuvres, from 6^th September Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Barracks
1898 From 25^th April Pirbright Camp manoeuvres until 9^th June From July Buena Vista Barracks, Gibraltar

1899 Gibraltar and from 3^rd October Wellington Barracks
1900 From 18^th March at sea ship: Dunera, from 11^th April South Africa 16 Bde, 8 Div

1901 South Africa
1902 Soth Africa, from 8^th October Chelsea Barracks
1903 From 1^st July Pirbright Camp, from 30^th August Chelsea Barracks, from 9^th October Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot
1904 From 1^st September Manoeuvres at North Camp, from 14^th September Victoria Barracks

1905 From 10^th October HM Tower of London
1906 From 5^th October Wellington Barracks

1907 From 4^th October Wellington Barracks
1908 From 6^th June Pirbright Camp, From 11^th July Wellington Barracks, From 2^nd October Chelsea Barracks

1909 From 30^th June Pirbright Camp, from 29^th July Chelsea Barracks, from 1^st October Wellington Barracks
1910 From 14^th July Pirbright Camp and Southern Area Command manoeuvres Salisbury Plain, from 4^th October Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot
1911 From 5^th October Victoria Barracks
1912 From 4^th October HM Tower of London

1913 From 29^th April Pirbright Camp, from 18^th July HM Tower of London, from 8^th October Chelsea Barracks
1914 From 29^th June Purfleet, from 15^th July Pirbright Camp leaving for short stay at Chelsea Barracks now in 4 Brigade, 2^nd Division, 12^th August left Chelsea Barracks for Nine Elms Goods Station and by train to Southampton and Merchant Vessel to Le Havre
1915 From 15^th August France and Flanders Guards Division
1919 London: Wimbledon

1920 Wimbledon Camp
1921 Chelsea Barracks, London. Barossa Barracks, Aldershot Barracks

1922 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot. Tashkishla Barracks, Constantinople, Turkey
1923 Tashkishla Barracks, Constantinople, Turkey

1924 Wellington Barracks, London
1925 Waterloo Barracks, HM Tower of London

1926 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot.
1927 Victoria Barracks, Windsor

1928 Wellington Barracks, London. Chelsea Barracks, London
1929 Chelsea Barracks, London. Barossa Barracks, Aldershot.

1930 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot. Waterloo Barracks, HM Tower of London
1931 Waterloo Barracks, HM Tower of London
1932 Chelsea Barracks, London.
1933 Wellington Barracks, London. Victoria Barracks, Windsor
1934 Victoria Barracks, Windsor. Barossa Barracks, Aldershot.
1935 Chelsea Barracks, London.
1936 Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt

1937 Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria, Egypt. Waterloo Barracks, HM Tower of London
1938 Waterloo Barracks, HM Tower of London
1939.09 Wellington Barracks, London. France & Belgium 3 Inf Div, BEF
1940.06 UK
1941.10.21 2nd (Armoured) Battalion, Grenadier Guards
converted to tanks
1941.10 UK Gds Armd Div
1943.01.15 2nd (Tank) Battalion, Grenadier Guards
1944.06 NW Europe Gds Armd Div
1945 Germany
1945.06.11 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
converted back to infantry

1946 BAOR

1947 BAOR
1948 Germany: Sennelager/Krefeld 4 Inf Bde

1949 Dempsey Barracks, Sennelager BAOR

1950 Bradbury Barracks, Krefeld BAOR

1951 Bradbury Barracks, Krefeld BAOR
1952.11 London

1953 Chelsea Barracks
1954.03 Egypt/Libya

1955 Egypt
1956 Egypt, England: Lydd 1 Gds Bde

1957 Victoria Barracks
1958.06 (Cyprus) and December England: Lydd
1959.05 Germany: Hubblerath 4 Gds Bde

1960 BAOR
1961 London

1962 London
1963.07 West Indies
1964.03 London

1965 London
1966.01 Germany: Wuppertal
1967 Germany: Münster BAOR

1968 Harding Barracks, Wuppertal, BAOR
1969.01 England: London/Caterham and 1969.08 (Northern Ireland)
1970.01 London/Caterham

1971 Victoria Barracks and Londonderry

1972 Caterham Barracks and Victoria Barracks
1973.07 (Northern Ireland) and 1973.11 Victoria Barracks

1974 Victoria Barracks
1975.03 Hong Kong

1976 Hong Kong
1977.10 London and 1977.11 (Northern Ireland)
1978.03 London
1979.02 Germany: Münster 2 Armd Div
1980.03 (Northern Ireland) and 1980.07 Germany: Münster 2 Armd Div

1981 Munster
1982.01 Munster and Chelsea Barracks

1983 Chelsea Barracks and Cyprus

1984 Cyprus, Chelsea Barracks and Belize

1985 Belize and Chelsea Barracks
1986.02 Northern Ireland: Ballykelly 8 Inf Bde

1987 Ballykelly
1988 Ballykelly and Caterham

1989 Caterham and Kenya

1990 Caterham, Canada and Falklands
1991 Falklands, Caterham, Botswana and Falklands

1992 Falklands and Caterham

1993 Caterham and Cyprus
1994 USA and Caterham

1994 Number Two Company renamed Nijmegen Company 3^rd August
1994.11.05 Placed in suspended animation on 5^th November 1994, Nijmegen Company became an Independent Public Duties Company.

Nijmegen Company

1994 Caterham

1995 Victoria Barracks Windsor

1996 Victoria Barracks Windsor

1997 Victoria Barracks Windsor

1998 Victoria Barracks Windsor

1999 Victoria Barracks Windsor

2000 Wellington Barracks

2001 Wellington Barracks

2002 Wellington Barracks

2003 Wellington Barracks

2004 Wellington Barracks

2005 Wellington Barracks

2006 Wellington Barracks

2007 Wellington Barracks and Woolwich

2008 Woolwich

2009 Woolwich

2010 Woolwich

2011 Woolwich

2012 Woolwich and Wellington Barracks

2013 Wellington Barracks

2014 Wellington Barracks

2015 Wellington Barracks

2016 Wellington Barracks

2017 Wellington Barracks

2018 Wellington Barracks

2019 Wellington Barracks

2020 Wellington Barracks

2021 Wellington Barracks

2022 Wellington Barracks

2023 Wellington Barracks

2024 Wellington Barracks

2025 Wellington Barracks

2026 Wellington Barracks

3rd Battalion postings from 1776 to 1961

1776.02.13 each coy found 15 men for composite Brigade of Guards for service in North America
1793 England
1799 Holland: Helder
1799? England
1802 England
1802 England
1806 Sicily
1807? England
1808.09.08 at sea (embarked at Ramsgate)
1808.10 Spain: Corunna
1808 Peninsular war
1809 at sea (embarked at Corunna)
1809 From January England
1809 Holland: Walcheren
1809 England
1810 Spain
1811 Peninsular war
1814 From April France
1814 from 27^th July at sea
1814 England
1815 Belgium
1815 From June Waterloo
1815 France Army of Occupation
1816 From October England

1850 From 1^st March HM Tower of London, from 4^th September The Barracks Chichester

1851 From 7th March St George’s Barracks, from 23^rd October St John’s Wood Barracks

1852 From 2^nd March St George’s Barracks, from 1^st September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, from 1^st September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1853 From 2nd March Portman Street Barracks, from 20^th August HM Tower of London
1854 From February The Crimea

1855 The Crimea
1856 The Crimea, from 30^th June Wellington Barracks, Buckingham Palace Barracks, Kensington Barracks and the Hyde Park Magazine, from 6^th December Wellington Barracks

1857 From 3^rd March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor , from 28^th May Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, from 1^st September HM Tower of London, from 20^th November HM Tower of London

1858 From 15^th April Wellington Barracks, from 1^st July Wellington Barracks, from 3^rd August Wellington Barracks, from 1-2^nd September Portman Street Barracks, and St John’s Wood Barracks

1859 From 1^st April St George’s Barracks, Kensington Barracks and the Hyde Park Magazine, from 20^th September Dublin

1860 From 3^rd April Dublin, from 2^nd October HM Tower of London

1861 From April Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 18^th June Sheet Street, from October Portman Street Barracks and St John’s Wood Barracks

1862 From April Wellington Barracks and Buckingham Palace Barracks, from 5^th September Wellington Barracks

1863 From April St George’s Barracks, the Hyde Park Magazine and Buckingham Palace Barracks, from 25^th September Sheet Street Barracks, Windsor

1864 From 1^st April Chelsea Barracks, from 15^th September Wellington Barracks

1865 From 31^st March Wellington Barracks, from 1^st September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1866 From 1^st March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 28^th August HM Tower of London

1867 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks, from 3^rd September Wellington Barracks

1868 From 4^th March Beggar’s Bush Barracks Dublin, from 1^st September Beggars Bush Barracks

1869 From 3^rd March Chelsea Barracks, from 1^st September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1870 From 3^rd March HM Tower of London, from 1^st September Wellington Barracks

1871 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks, from 27^th September Chelsea Barracks

1872 From 1^st January Chelsea Barracks, from July Manoeuvres, from 14^th September Wellington Barracks

1873 From 4^th April Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 12^th September HM Tower of London

1874 From 28^th April Beggar’s Bush Barracks Dublin, from 30^th July Curragh Camp County Kildare, from 1^st October Beggar’s Bush Barracks, Dublin

1875 From 7^th April Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks, from 1^st October Wellington Barracks

1876 From 1^st September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks
1877 From 1^st March HM Tower of London, from 22^nd June Cove Common Camp, Farnborough, from 21^st July HM Tower of London, from 4^th September Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor

1878 From 1^st March Wellington Barracks, Kensington Church Street Barracks and Buckingham Palace, from 30^th August Shorncliffe Camp, Kent

1879 From 4^th March Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1880 From 3^rd March Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor, from 1^st September HM Tower of London
1881 From 7^th February Wellington Barracks
1882 From 20^th April Aldershot, from 10^th May Chelsea Barracks, from 8^th August Richmond Barracks, Dublin.

1883 From 1^st January Richmond Barracks, Dublin, from April Curragh Camp, County Kildare, from 7^th September Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks
1884 From 15^th July Aldershot and Pirbright Camp, from 28^th August Sheet Street Infantry Barracks, Windsor
1885 From 20^th February embarkation to Egypt, Sudan (Suakin) Egypt, Cyprus and from 10^th September Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks
1886 From 14^th June Pirbright Camp, from 24^th July Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks, from 8^th September Wellington Barracks,

1887 From 16^th May Pirbright Camp, from 11^th June Wellington Barracks, from 3^rd September HM Tower of London

1888 From May Pirbright Camp, from 24^th July HM Tower of London

1889 From 3^rd September Richmond Barracks, Dublin and Curragh Camp, County Kildare, from 10^th December Richmond Barracks, Dublin

1890 From 10-12^th September Pirbright Camp, from 26^th September Chelsea Barracks and St George’s Barracks

1891 From August Pirbright Camp, from 19^th September Victoria Barracks

1892 From 16^th July Ash Camp, Aldershot, from 24^th August Wellington Barracks and Kensington Church Street Barracks
1893 From 10^th July Pirbright Camp, from 21^st August Wellington Barracks

1894From 16^th July Pirbright Camp departing 3^rd August, from 29^th August HM Tower of London

1895 From 27^th April Pirbright Camp, from 5^th August four Companies Chelsea Barracks, and four Companies in Wellington Barracks, eight Companies in HM Tower of London
1896 From 12^th June Pirbright Camp, from 1^st October eight Companies Chelsea Barracks

1897 From 30^th April Pirbright Camp, from 12^th June Chelsea Barracks

1898 From 25^th April Chelsea Barracks from 19^th July Pirbright Camp, from 6^th August manoeuvres, from 30^th September Chelsea Barracks
1899 From July Pirbright Camp, from 22^nd September embarkation to Gibraltar and the Boer War, 25^th October at sea ship: Goorkha, 15^th November South Africa 1 Inf Bde(Gds)
1900 South Africa 1 Inf Bde(Gds), 9 Div

1901 South Africa
1902 South Africa, from 6^th October, Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot
1903 From 2^nd May Pirbright Camp, from 1^st July Chelsea Barracks, from 30^th August West Down Camp, Lavington for manoeuvres, from 18^th September HM Tower of London, from 8^th October Wellington Barracks

1904 From 9^th June Pirbright Camp, from 23^rd July Wellington Barracks, from 27^th September Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot
1905 From 1^st January Blenheim Barracks, Aldershot, from 10^th October Chelsea Barracks

1906 FromJuly Pirbright Camp, from 14^th August Chelsea Barracks, from 9^th October Victoria Barracks
1907 From 4^th October Blenheim Barracks Aldershot

1908 From 2^nd October HM Tower of London
1909 From 1^st May Pirbright Camp, from 31^st July HM Tower of London, from 1^st October Chelsea Barracks

1910 From 14^th July Pirbright Camp, from 20^th August Southern Area Command Manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain, returned to Chelsea Barracks, from 4^th October Wellington Barracks
1911 From 1^st June Pirbright Camp, from 22^nd July Wellington Barracks, from 5^th October Chelsea Barracks
1912 From 16^th July Pirbright Camp, from 24^th August Chelsea Barracks, from 4^th October Ramillies Barracks Aldershot
1913 From 8^th October Wellington Barracks
1914 From 20^th June Pirbright Camp, from 15^th July Wellington Barracks
1915 Wellington Barracks, Bovingdon Green Camp, Marlow 7 France and Flanders
1919 London: Wimbledon

1920 Warley Barracks and Wimbledon Camp
1921 Waterloo Barracks HM Tower of London

1922 Victoria Barracks, Windsor

1923 Victoria Barracks, Windsor
1924 Pirbright Camp. Barossa Barracks, Aldershot

1925 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot

1926 Hyde Park Barracks, London

1927 Waterloo Barracks HM Tower of London

1928 Chelsea Barracks, London
1929 Albuhera Barracks, Aldershot. Chelsea Barracks, London

1930 Warley Barracks, Brentwood. Wellington Barracks, London

1931 Wellington Barracks, London

1932 Chelsea Barracks, London

1933 Albuhera Barracks, Aldershot. Warley Barracks, Brentwood, Egypt
1934 Kasir el Nil Barracks, Cairo, Egypt
1935 Kasir el Nil Barracks, Cairo, Egypt
1936 Kasir el Nil Barracks, Cairo, Egypt. Warley Barracks, Brentwood
1937 Chelsea Barracks, London. Victoria Barracks, Windsor

1938 Victoria Barracks, Windsor
1939 Barossa Barracks, Aldershot. France & Belgium 1 Gds Bde, 1 Inf Div, BEF (September)
1940.06 UK
1942.06 UK 1 Gds Bde, 78 Inf Div
1942.11 Tunisia
1943.02 Tunisia 1 Gds Bde, 6 Armd Div
1944.03 Italy
1945.05 Austria
1945.09 Palestine 1 Gds Bde

1946 Palestine

1947 Palestine
1948 Palestine, from February Libya, UK, UK 2 Gds Bde, from October 1948 Malaya 2^nd Guards Brigade
1949 Malaya and Chelsea Barracks

1950 Chelsea Barracks
1951 From October Egypt/Libya 1^st Guards Brigade

1952 Egypt

1953 Egypt
1954 Tripoli, from February Chelsea Barracks

1955 Chelsea Barracks
1956 from November Cyprus

1957 Cyprus

1958 Cyprus
1959 From August Wellington Barracks

1960 Wellington Barracks
1961 From 31^st March Suspended animation, retaining The Inkerman Coy in 2nd Battalion as the third Rifle Company

Royal Guard Reserve Regiment

1900 Wellington Barracks

1900 Tower of London October

1901 Disbanded at Tower of London in March

Where entries are made for HM Tower of London, the Barracks were the Waterloo Barracks now the Waterloo Block