GRENADIER GUARDS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1929, Page 5

GRENADIER GUARDS

REVIEWED BY DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

A BRILLIANT PAGEANT.

BAYONETS GLITTERING, BANDS

PLAYING

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) RUGBY, May 16.

A review of the Grenadier Guards by the Duke of Connaught this morning on the Horse Guards Parade, was a veritable pageant. All three battalions of Grenadiers were on parade, the first battalion having come from its quarters at the Tower of London, and the other two battalions from Chelsea Barracks and Wellington Barracks respectively. The Grenadiers, in their brilliant scarlet uniforms and bearskin headgear, moved into position like beautiful machines, their bayonets glittering in the bright sunshine, and standards fluttering in the breeze. The Duke of Connaught, wearing the uniform of the Grenadiers of whom lie has been Colonel for twenty-five years, arrived in company with the Prince of Wales, who was in the uni-, form of the Welsh Guards. They rode to the saluting base just beneath the Horse Guards arch. ' In the window of the archway were the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and Princess Royal.

On the parade ground Were also Grenadiers of yesterday, 200 stalwart London policemen, who once wore the uniforms of the regiment. They stood, drawn up on the Duke’s left, their dark uniforms and helmets presenting a strange contrast to the scarlet of the soldiers.

On the Duke’s right were drawn up lines of civilians who were once in the Grenadiers.

Tim Duke rode along the ranks inspecting the battalion and ex-guards-men. Then, to the music of the hands of the Regiment, the battalions marched in column of companies, past the saluting base. As each battalion s Colour Party passed the Duke and tlm Prince of Wales, their historic flags were dipped in salute. After the march past, the Duke led the Grenadiers along tbe Mall and took the salute once more at tbe gateway of Clarence House, bis home, while the band played the famous song “British Grenadiers.”

Half an hour later, the first battalion were marching hack through the city to the Tower of London. They exorcised their ancient privilege of'marching through the city with fixed bayonets. and from the balcony of the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor took their salute.