Fascinating 375-year history of Coldstream Guards

Last week, the Coldstream Guards boarded a train in London for a trip back to their roots. KALI LINDSAY traces their history

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FAMOUS for their scarlet tunics and bearskin caps - the Coldstream Guards have a fascinating history that stems hundreds of years.

Formed 375 years ago, the Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regiment of the regular British Army.

Famed for guarding the monarch and undertaking ceremonial duties, the regiment has served in almost every major campaign fought by the army.

The regiment marked it 375th anniversary with 100 soldiers from the Number 3 Company, 'The Spotty Dogs,' of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, along with the Band of the Coldstream Guards, marched through Berwick last week.

The soldiers were raised by the Governor of Berwick George Fenwick and his father-in-law Sir Arthur Hazelrigg, to dispel Scottish disorder in the borderlands. These smart, disciplined soldiers were commanded by George Monck, and impressed the people of Berwick with their industry, as they set about clearing midden heaps and carting stone from ruined old Berwick Castle to help build a new Cromwellian Church for the town.

The regiment relocated to nearby Coldstream Garrison in 1659 but, on January 1, 1660, prompted by widespread anarchy throughout the Commonwealth of England, Monck marched his troops from Coldstream through heavy snow south to London.

Their epic journey south from the Borders to London took five weeks but changed the course of British history, restoring law and order, the Monarchy, and with it dancing, the theatre and Christmas to popular culture.