 |
Bracknell Armed Forces Day 2010
C/O: Miss. Emily Bidwell
Event Coordinator
14 Vandyke, Great Hollands
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 8UP
Tel: 01344 422016
Email
View map
C/O: Miss. Emily Bidwell
Event Coordinator
14 Vandyke, Great Hollands
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 8UP
Tel: 01344 422016
View map
|
The Life Guards parade in Bracknell
|
We are so honoured to have the Life Guards supporting our Armed Forces Day parade on 27th June 2009 in Bracknell.
The history of The Life Guards began in 1659 at the court of the exiled King Charles II in Holland. A number of loyal gentlemen led by Lord Gerrard of Brandon formed themselves into the King’s Life Guard. This duty has been carried on through the centuries by the Household Cavalry and is symbolised today by the Guard Mounting Ceremony at Horse Guards, Whitehall in London. The 29 May 1660 will always remain a great day in the annals of our history for it is recorded that, at the public entry of King Charles II into London, he was escorted by three troops of Life Guards each preceded by its own Kettledrummer and four Trumpeters. This proud occasion began the history of the Band that you hear today. The use of kettledrums and trumpets was, at this period, confined to the Army and the nobility and, even in the King’s troops, The Life Guards alone had the privilege of using kettledrums. The musicians held warrants of appointment from the King and were paid at the rate of five shillings per day. In 1678 they wore uniforms of velvet, silver laced, their instruments having richly embroidered and trimmed banners, the whole cost defrayed by the King. This is the origin of the State Dress worn to this day by the Band and Trumpeters. Come and see the Band of the Life Guards heading our parade at the Armed Forces Day event in Bracknell on 27th June 2009. www.thelifeguards.co.uk |
