Genealogy Chat

Please see below Thanks.

I received a will today, I knew my Gt Grandfather was in the Army all is life I have his Papers. In his Will he says he his Member of HER MAJESTRYS ROYAL BODY GUARD would he have been a Beaf Eater ? ( i was told that a long time ago) The Army papers i have say he was in the Royal Surrey Militia Diane

Dont know, but hubbys Great Grandfather was a Scots Guard and was also supposed to be a member of the bodyguard - I think all the Guards were called that because erm - thats what they did!

Info about beefeaters here www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/Beefeaters.htm I think they guard the Crown Jewels rather than the monarch. This site gives uniform for component parts of the king's bodyguard: www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuhags/books/titman37.htm

The Queen's Body Guard is not only the oldest Royal Body Guard of them all, it is the oldest military corps in existence in the world today. The history of the Queen's Body Guard can be tentatively traced back to the armed personal guards of the Saxon and Norman sovereigns. However, its real historical origins are found in those who were charged with guarding the Plantagenet rulers of eight hundred years ago. The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard should not be confused with the Yeomen Warders who are permanently employed as custodians of the Tower of London, a duty they have carried out for many centuries. The Tudor uniform of the Queen's Body Guard and the Yeomen Warders state dress are practically identical, the only apparent difference is a crossbelt which is worn by the Queen's Body Guard and was used centuries ago to support a weapon called a Harquebus. from: http://www.theoldoaktree.net/Yeomen.htm Merry

..........................and from the same site: The Body Guard is made up of ex-military personnell who have served a full career of at least twenty-two years, hold the LS&GC and finished their Colour Service at the rank of COH or higher. Yeomen are on active duty until they reach the age of seventy and are then transferred to an exempt list. Whilst on active duty they perform up to eight duties each year. These duties range from state visits to state occasions such as garden parties. Every four years the Body Guard are inspection personally by Her Majesty the Queen. Merry

Thanks to all that gave replies Do you think I would get other Army records of him then ? As there was no mention of Her majesty's royal body guard on the papers i have, It give his signing up date, leaving date, pension. Diane.

Merry, He did do the full 22 years, He was as far as i can see a colour sergent, He was also a Chelsea Pensioner. Diane

Well, didnt Merrys stuff say they became one of this lot after they retired from active duty, or did I misread it?

Heather I agree Merry did say this, just wonted to know if they would be some mention of it in any other Army papers's Diane

I just wondered if they had sort of officially retired after the 22 years whether they would have sort of re-engagement papers? And thats why it wouldnt be on his other stuff?

HI O HI O it's of to to Kew i go. Lol Diane