XN000022-1975-04-13 — Page 5

ROYAL VISIT PRESS RELEASE

Sunday, April 13, 1975

SECOND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS

Duke To Visit Illustrious Battalion At Stanley Fort

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The Duke of Edinburgh will spend a part of the morning on May 6

visiting the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards at Stanley Fort.

For the first time in the regiment's illustrious history, the

Grenadier Guards are serving in Hong Kong.

Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel David Fanshawe, the 2nd battalion

took over from the 1st King's Regiment in January and is based at Stanley

Fort.

The regiment was founded by King Charles II in Bruges, Flanders

in 1656. It was known as the first regiment of foot guards. The regiment

fought in many battles up to Waterloo, including the Dutch wars (1665) and

Marlborough's campaigns in the wars of the Spanish succession (1704-1709).

The regiment distinguished itself at Waterloo in 1815, by defeat-

ing the French Grenadiers, and the name was changed to the "First or

Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards." The wearing of bearskin caps was also

authorised by the Prince Regent as a result of this victory.

The regiment continued to distinguish itself in battle and fought

in the Crimea, Egypt and South Africa.

Up until World War I, the Grenadier Guards consisted of three

battalions, but when war broke out, the 4th and 5th battalions were formed.

They were disbanded in 1919.

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