Coldstream Guards face the axe! (1 Viewer)

[trooper]

The regiment can go away but the history won't. I still don't understand the sentimentality of these things. If UK doesn't need the regiment in service right now then what's the issue with disbanding it for the time being?

We do this pretty frequently in the US. Doesn't get the the same attention as it does in UK I suppose.

In the British system the regiment is like a family to the members. To an outsider they might be considered as a team. For our American friends how would you feel if your favourite baseball or football team was being chopped for some reason? As for not being needed in service our armed forces are being reduced to their lowest level in a century and yet our politicians insist on more and more commitments for them. Now there is talk of the reserve forces being activated to front line status to take up the shortfall. We need new regiments not fewer. Trooper

 

[DMNamiot]

Totally Insane! Cutting this unit is just about the dumbest thing they could do. I will never understand what goes on ih the heads of the politicos who come up with these cost saving ideas. Just plain stupid

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

In the British system the regiment is like a family to the members. To an outsider they might be considered as a team. For our American friends how would you feel if your favourite baseball or football team was being chopped for some reason? As for not being needed in service our armed forces are being reduced to their lowest level in a century and yet our politicians insist on more and more commitments for them. Now there is talk of the reserve forces being activated to front line status to take up the shortfall. We need new regiments not fewer. Trooper

Indeed it is a family and much more. We use a Regimental System in the US Army as well but not as tightly bound and because of that we have a lot more turn over of soldiers and officers. There is also much termoil in the Army when we cut units. There are a good many of us who were very upset when they cut units like the 2nd Armored Division in a cost saving move that has not been cost saving or well received. Of course these pains and complaints are nearly never in the news.

Dave

 

[Scott]

Don't leave out Guildford Court House.



A nation needs some kind of military tradition for new recruits to live up to. When a recruit joins the Marines or the Legion or the Guards, or is stationed on the USS Constitution for example that soldier or sailor now gets to be part of that tradition. If you meet a Guard and speak of Waterloo, that tradition attaches itself to the living soldier...or so I've read and been told.

My friend was in the recreated 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers reenactment unit that is recognized by the actual RWF so that when he visited the barracks in the UK he was treated as an honored guest and invited to dine at the officer's mess.

When I was accepted into the 10th Regiment of Foot back in 1979, a serving officer of the modern unit the 10th became was present at the ceremony.

These two modern units cared that modern civilians were portraying them with some amount of care and dignity.

 

[Napoleon1er]

...My friend was in the recreated 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers reenactment unit that is recognized by the actual RWF so that when he visited the barracks in the UK he was treated as an honored guest and invited to dine at the officer's mess.

When I was accepted into the 10th Regiment of Foot back in 1979, a serving officer of the modern unit the 10th became was present at the ceremony.

These two modern units cared that modern civilians were portraying them with some amount of care and dignity.

Hey Scott,
Totally agree with your view! But on another note, my friend, neighbor, and reenacting buddy Bob DeLisle was an early member of the tenth, and was the sergen major of one of those early ('70s) units. He said they had around 700 guys! So maybe you know him.... By the way, you should really come down to Sturbridge for the big Rev War reenactment! PM me if you want the dates (I think a week from tomorrow!). I plan to burn 60 rounds as a fusilier defending my unit's guns.
Hope to see you there (if you can't though, I will see it in my heart to forgive you),
Sandor

 

[Scott]

Hey Scott,
Totally agree with your view! But on another note, my friend, neighbor, and reenacting buddy Bob DeLisle was an early member of the tenth, and was the sergen major of one of those early ('70s) units. He said they had around 700 guys! So maybe you know him.... By the way, you should really come down to Sturbridge for the big Rev War reenactment! PM me if you want the dates (I think a week from tomorrow!). I plan to burn 60 rounds as a fusilier defending my unit's guns.
Hope to see you there (if you can't though, I will see it in my heart to forgive you),
Sandor

Bob's name is familiar. I was a trouble maker back then as well as I wanted to wear a period canteen WITH water in it with my kit. I've been watching the local forum on Rev-War and the Sturbridge event is being discussed. I hope to go see it.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Bob's name is familiar. I was a trouble maker back then as well as I wanted to wear a period canteen WITH water in it with my kit. I've been watching the local forum on Rev-War and the Sturbridge event is being discussed. I hope to go see it.

If by period you mean origional, all I can say is- drop the Canteen Scott! If you mean reproduction, then I fail to see a problem.... Guys are saying this will be the new Firt Ti, and there are even some wargamers with a setup there! Please stop buy to chat if you come- if you pm before hand, I will bring either my new Guards at the Bar, Villiage Idiot, or some Bavarian flats. I will also let you clean my musket (What an opportunity!)! We will have to guns and a buch of fusiliers!
-Sandor

 

[Scott]

If by period you mean origional, all I can say is- drop the Canteen Scott! If you mean reproduction, then I fail to see a problem.... ...-Sandor

In the 10th at that time some kept a plastic water bottle in their haversacks. Shirts were modern white shirts with attached collars. They used hocky garter belts to hold their socks up. I was the "rebel" with a repro British metal canteen. The NCOs then didn't know that canteens and haversacks go on last over the belts so you can get at the contents. The 10th still looks good and has fixed some of those early issues.

 

[Napoleon1er]

In the 10th at that time some kept a plastic water bottle in their haversacks. Shirts were modern white shirts with attached collars. They used hocky garter belts to hold their socks up. I was the "rebel" with a repro British metal canteen. The NCOs then didn't know that canteens and haversacks go on last over the belts so you can get at the contents. The 10th still looks good and has fixed some of those early issues.

Ah, now I understand what you were saying! Yeah, Bob often tells me about that stuff... I think it kind of hurt the reenactor image- now in the cartoons and stuff we are a bunch of red necks who get drunk and shoot at eachother. As you know, not the case. I was told right from the start that I should always put on the gear with the most important (those things tht need to be acksessed easyly) on top. I was always told that sword/bayonet/hachet/other stuff goes on the bottom, next comes haversack (no need for a plate or such in battle), then cartridge box, then canteen. Bricauls and or muskets go on top. Oh, and pack straps are under it all if you have one. I made one, but I can't get the straps right. Oh- speaking of that pack I made, have you ever been to the Lowel museums? They make authentic fabric on origolonal looms, and sell it for dirt cheap! Great for packs, sacks, waistcoats, coats, and such.
-Sandor