Coldstream Guards mark 375th anniversary with return to birthplace Berwick
Soldiers in full ceremonial uniform – red tunics and bearskin caps – boarded an early morning LNER train from King's Cross Station on Tuesday to mark the occasion, joined by the Band of the Coldstream Guards.
A quintet played on the concourse as the troops crossed the station to the platform with bayonets fixed.
Members of The Coldstream Guards onboard an LNER train at King's Cross train station in London (Jeff Moore/PA)
Back in 1660 the regiment marched down from Berwick to help restore the monarchy, dissolve Parliament and bring King Charles II back to the throne.
The journey took them five weeks. Tuesday's return journey, by contrast, takes just a few hours – with the guards due back in London by evening.
Crowds lined the streets of Berwick on Tuesday morning to welcome the guardsmen, who paraded through the town before attending 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.
Members wearing their full ceremonial dress of scarlet tunics and bearskin caps, parade through their birthplace in Berwick-upon-Tweed (Owen Humphreys/PA)
The Coldstream Guards are the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army.
Formed in 1650 during the English Civil War, they have 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 June 14, where they will troop the new flags for the King's official birthday.
Berwick Parish Church, built in part by Coldstream Guards in the 1650s using stone from Berwick Castle, still houses the regiment's old Colours.
The town granted the regiment the Freedom of Berwick in 2000.
The Coldstream Guards remain an active infantry unit, recently returning from Operation Shader in the Middle East and set to deploy on a UN peacekeeping mission to Cyprus later this year.
They were among the first British units to train Ukrainian soldiers in the UK, equipping them with vital frontline skills to defend against Russia's invasion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'
Western Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. The then-Prince of Wales serving as a Sub-Lieutenant on the bridge of the frigate Minerva before routine patrols around the West Indies in 1973 (PA) An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. The King visiting HMS Prince of Wales in March as the Royal Navy finalised preparations for a major global deployment to the Indo-Pacific (PO Phot Rory Arnold/MoD/PA) After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The then-Prince of Wales demonstrates his flying skills at the International Air Day at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in 1975 (PA) In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. The Prince of Wales acts as guide for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, during her visit to HMS Norfolk in 1972 (PA) Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles as he relinquished command of the minehunter HMS Bronington at the end of his service in the Royal Navy (PA) Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'
