It was only a matter of few weeks ago that 106 of those perfectly turned-out Guardsmen you’ll see taking centre stage amidst the grandeur of the Coronation were getting down and very dirty in the tropical jungles of Jamaica on Exercise Red Stripe.
The foot soldiers of the Household Division have a saying ‘excellence in green, excellence in scarlet’ reflecting the two totally contrasting roles a Guardsman can find themselves fulfilling – one day in bearskin and tunic the other helmet and body armour. So, behind every immaculately presented soldier, be they standing ram rod straight or marching with perfect precision, is a front-line available fully trained combat soldier willing to close with the enemy to defend King and country. Something often not appreciated by the tens of thousands of spectators who flock to the royal palaces to get a glimpse of the changing of the guard ceremonies.
So it was the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards’ No.2 Company who found themselves training alongside the Jamaican Defence Force in the dense jungles of the Caribbean island. Ask any soldier what is the most demanding of environments to fight in, chances are their reply will be the jungle. Ask any Guardsman what is the most demanding parade to take part in, chances are their reply will be a massive state occasion in front of a global audience measured in billions..! and so, for those 106 soldiers they will experience the ultimate test both in green and scarlet.
Here we compare and contrast some of those guardsmen picturing them both in the Jamaican jungles and as they prepare for one of the biggest parades of their lives.
The four form 4 – (L to R) Guardsmen O’Flaherty, Marshall, Davies and Thomas all from No.4 Platoon pictured sat in an attap, a jungle shelter made from palm fronds, and taking a break from rigorous Op Golden Orb rehearsals at Pirbright.
Company Sergeant Major WO2 Ryan Jayne on the banks of Jamaica’s Rio Grande and preparing to mount Kings Guard from Wellington Barracks opposite Buckingham Palace. Speaking of Exercise Red Stripe and the Coronation he said “The one thing I want to get from this exercise is to bond as a company, work for each other. It’s massively important because as we move on to our ceremonial duties and for that everyone needs to work as a team.”
Guardsman (Gdsm) Nathan John takes a break from jungle training and lies back in his hammock during Exercise Red Stripe. “It’s going to be a very busy summer ahead; as soon as we get back from Jamaica, it’s straight into rehearsals for Operation Golden Orb (the coronation of HM King Charles). Gdsm John is also seen here on the parade square of Wellington Barracks preparing to stand guard at Buckingham Palace.
Guardsman Jake Blackstone face daubed in camouflage cream prepares to go out on jungle patrol amidst the trees in the foothills of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains in stark contrast to being back at Pirbright rehearsing for the Coronation of HM King Charles.
Guardsman Oliver Gallier tucks into a piece of sugar cane during his jungle survival training and pictured holding his bearskin during a break from rehearsals for possibly the biggest parade of his career.
Lieutenant (Lt) Tom Brown takes the opportunity to relax by a waterfall whilst on manoeuvres deep in the jungles of Jamaica during Exercise Red Stripe. Lt Tom Brown said, “The jungle demands discipline, doing the basics right and demands looking out for each other all of which we put into practice on the drill square. The troops will be well suited after this training exercise to get back ready for public duties.”
