Trooping the Colour, Changing of the Guard, etc: Public Duties

Nice to see the Kings Troop back in action, if only briefly.
Rob

 

I agree Rob, and BBC showed a little more of the 41 gun salute in Green Park as well which was nice.

 

Hi Diane,

Many thanks for the great work you have done. I joined the forum today in the hope of finding something about the Irish Guards. My Great Uncle was killed while serving with them in September 1944. Not only was I able to find the war diary but imagine my surprise when up popped a photograph! He is the tall gentleman in the centre of R Roser's photograph and his name is given as Lawrence Hutchman - The correct spelling is Laurence but I notice that the incorrect spelling comes from the CWGC website. The CWGC website gives his mother's name as Kathren but the correct spelling should be Catherine (My mother is named after her). I intend contacting Laurence's daughter Doreen (who was two when he was killed) to see if I can obtain any other information / pictures - if I do I will of course post anything relevant.
I noticed in the post that 'Three were to die very shortly after the photo was taken, 2 on the same day, one going the aid of the other, both killed by sniper fire.'. Since Laurence is obviously one of the two killed I would be grateful is you had any further information on the incident.

Once again many thanks for the great work.

 

1919 Tue 3 June 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards HM The King In Hyde Park,

My Great-Uncle Pte Mark Lockwood could have well have been on that Troop, But alas he was killed at the outbreak of the Great War.

 

Diane

Noticed the duke coming up to the salute and wondered where he got that from - its a sloppy thing - should still be long way up - short way down - or is that too much to-day .../
Cheers

 

Hi dfb, I have done some research plus a relative has looked into his military service, I know when he was killed and found his grave, the only thing I really lack is a photo of him.

Cheers

 

Tom - he might have been watching us Jocks. The salute at the 'halt' the left foot advances half a pace, as the left foot is placed on the ground the right leg is brought up,thigh level with the ground toe of boot pointing downwards and below the knee, the right arm is at the same time brought up into the salute (longest way up and we would have fallen over!) As soon as the hand is in the salute position the leg and arm are returned to the position of attention together. All done at speed as it does put you into imbalance. Not in the drill manual of any other unit!

 

Wills

don't think his feet moved only the dookess' feet were moving until she caught her heel - then she nearly fell over - that's not in the book either
Cheers

 

8th September 1914

Meanwhile the 4th (Guards) Brigade led the 2nd Division with a vanguard formed of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies of the 3rd Battalion Coldstream (Captains E. Longueville and Brocklehurst), a battery of artillery, and Nos. 3 & 4 in support (Captains Vaughan and Banbury) ; Major Matheson commanding the Battalion remained with the front companies and Captain Monck with those in rear. Shortly after leaving Rebais some German cavalry were quickly driven out of La Tretoire without difficulty ; however, on approaching a wood with roads leading down into the valley of the Petit Morin, we came under heavy shell fire from Boitron, a village on the further ridge. The leading companies pushed on at once down the slopes to cross the stream at the bottom, but when half-way they were both held up in thick woods by infantry and machine-gun fire. Nos. 3 and 4 Companies followed on prolonging to their right, and they too failed to make good the crossing. Our guns now shelled a farm reported to be held by the enemy, and then the Irish Guards advanced on the left of the Coldstream and by their assistance some more ground was gained ; but they were also held up. The machine guns opposed to us appear to have been numerous and skilfully placed, and progress was therefore exceedingly difficult in this enclosed thickly wooded ravine. By this time the 2nd Battalions of the Grenadiers and Coldstream arrived in support, and moving round the right of the 3rd Battalion and crossing the river by a bridge at La Forge, which was held by a few cavalry scouts and out of view of the enemy, they worked up the further slopes, gained the village of Boitron, and compelled the Germans to evacuate it. The other two battalions of the Brigade still continuing to press forward in the ravine were now enabled to advance, and reached Boitron at about 2 pm.

In the 3rd Battalion the casualties were eight killed and 45 wounded

My g-Uncle is now buried in Boitron after being re-interred after he died at the No1 Clearing Hospital on the 9th September 1914.

 

The 'Micks'





Public duties - Oh Joy!

 

Watching at this very moment and wouldn't miss it for anything !

Nearly 40 years ago Mrs.G and I attended the ceremony in person and, as all the ceremony is almost unchanging, it is as though it was yesterday.

Simply super !

Ron