Wellington Barracks - Scots Guards - Changing the Guard - © 2012 G.K. Jakobs |
Wellington Barracks - Scots Guards - Changing the Guard - © 2012 G.K. Jakobs |
Guardsman Bears - © 2012 G.K. Jakobs |
At first glance, the different Guards regiments may appear difficult to distinguish, but there are differences in the tunics and the plumes worn on the bearskin hats.
Grenadier Guards - tunic buttons grouped singly, white plume on left side, grenade collar badge
Coldstream Guards - tunic buttons grouped in pairs, red plume on right side, garter star collar badge
Scots Guards - tunic buttons grouped in threes, no plume, thistle collar badge
Irish Guards - tunic buttons grouped in fours, blue plume on right side, shamrock collar badge
Welsh Guards - tunic buttons grouped in fives, white/green plume on left side, leek collar badge
Tower of London - © 2012 G.K. Jakobs |
Every evening, at exactly 9:52 pm, the Guards accompany the Yeoman Warder (a.k.a. Beefeater) to the entrance of the Tower to lock the gate. This Ceremony of the Keys has been performed nightly for 700 years, the longest running military ceremony in the world.
The duties of the Guards are not just ceremonial. During World War 2, a detachment of Guards performed a more solemn duty in defense of the British Empire. On the morning of August 15, 1941, eight Scots Guards served as the firing squad that executed Josef Jakobs at the Tower of London. The lint circle that had been pinned to Jakobs' chest, and which was pierced by five bullets, was collected by one of the soldiers.
Its location remained a mystery until 1976 when, after many enquiries, Winston Ramsey, editor of After the Battle Magazine, learned that it was being held by the Scots Guards at the Guards Museum. Ramsey took a photograph of the lint circle (After the Battle Magazine - Volume 11) which was reprinted in Nigel West's book, MI5: British Security Service Operations, 1909-1945.
The Guards Museum (located at Wellington Barracks) is open to the public and contains an impressive display of all things related to the Guards, documenting the histories of the five regiments from inception to the present day.
From Army Museums Ogilve Trust |
Tower Station Mural - © 2012 G.K. Jakobs |
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