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  • Once a Grenadier, always a Grenadier

The Grenadier Guards

The Grenadier Guards is one of the oldest and most iconic regiments in the British Army. Whether they are fighting on the front line or guarding a Royal Palace, members of the Regiment are renowned for their determination, loyalty and grit.

The Grenadier Guards are one of the most senior infantry regiments in the British Army. Fast and mobile, we specialise in Light Role Infantry operations, often using light vehicles such as quad bikes to get around. We are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice.

Renowned for our dual role, serving with great distinction on overseas exercises and on the battlefield. Providing excellence, symmetry and precision whilst carrying out ceremonial duties in London and at Windsor Castle, our scarlet tunics and bearskins are recognised across the world.

Active from

1656

Role

Infantry

Specialism

Light Role Infantry

As infantry soldiers, the Grenadier Guards are extremely versatile. Once basic training has been completed, a Grenadier Guard can specialise as a Sniper, Reconnaissance Operator, Machine Gunner, or one of a number of other exciting roles.

  • Reconnaissance 
  • Operating Machine Guns
  • Sniping
  • Operating mortars
  • Tactical Communication
  • Driving vehicles
  • Logistical support
  • Guarding Royal Palaces

Current Deployment:

  • Operation Shader
  • Operation Trenton
  • Operation Toral

The Grenadier Guards are currently training for operations in South Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Past Deployments:

  • Operation Herrick
  • Operation Telic

From Section Commanders to Snipers and Mortarmen, all Grenadier Guards are united by a long and illustrious history of service.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from: once a Grenadier, always a Grenadier.

Lille Barracks, Aldershot

The Grenadier Guards is based at Lille Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.

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Past to present

The history of the Grenadier Guards stretches back over 360 years since 1656 when a Royal Regiment of Guards was formed by King Charles II at Bruges in Flanders. Since its formation, the Regiment has fought in all the major wars in which our country has been involved, including Waterloo, the Crimean War, the battles of the 1st and 2nd World Wars, and most recently in Afghanistan.

At the Battle of Waterloo, after participating in the defeat of the French Imperial Guard gained the title of Grenadiers, and became styled as ‘The First or Grenadier Regiment of Footguards’ colloquially known as The Grenadier Guards.

The Regiment’s first Victoria Crosses were won on the same day, in the same action, by Major Sir Charles Russell, Bt and Private Anthony Palmer.

4 Battalions of the Regiment fought with distinction on the Western Front.

6 Battalions of the Regiment fought in Northwest Europe, North Africa and Italy.

  1. The Regiment has taken part in every major campaign since the 2nd World War (with the exception of the Falklands Campaign) including Malaya, Northern Ireland, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Regiment’s most recent Victoria Cross was won by Lance Corporal James Ashworth in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Location

1st Battalion Grenadier Guards

Lille Barracks, Aldershot, GU11 2NQ

Nijmegan Company

Wellington Barracks, London SW1E 6HQ