| For sixty years
Caterham Barracks in Surrey was the home of No.16 Coy., the Guards training Company.
Thousands of Coldstreamers passed through the hallowed portals into an experience
that has stayed with Guardsmen for life.
Many have written about this special
place, but to endure and enjoy the twenty weeks of basic Guards training,
is a badge of courage that is worn for life.
It is this education that has
ensured our Regiment has survived and prospered for 350 yrs.
Construction work
on Caterham Barracks commenced in 1850, built to the new 'Army Living Programe',
with modern sanitation, heating and lighting, each man allocated 60 sq. ft. of
living space.
The Barracks were handed over in 1877, the home to four Regiments
of Foot Guards, occupied by over 12,000 men.
The standard of discipline and
training established the benchmark for the Guards training Company,
which eventually took the barracks as its HQ.
The original twelve weeks basic
was augmented by a further eight weeks period of 'Battle Training' in various
locations,
then settled at Pirbright, with its ranges and large area's of
heathland for simulated battle engagements.
The last training recruits marched
out of Caterham in 1961 and the Depot finely closed in 1990,
taking with it
over a hundred years of Regimental history.
By this time the whole of the training
was undertaken at Pirbright in Surrey. In
1994 The Guards Infantry Training Company, No. 14 Coy. was established at Vimy
Barracks, Catterick North Yorks.
There has been Army training at Catterick
since before World War One, but this was the first time in the Foot Guards history
that a permanent Company had been active here.
The initial move was fraught
with so many integration difficulties, plus accommodation was always a moot point.
It was with great relief when in 2003 the Guards Training Company moved to Helles
Brks,
alongside the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Gurka Rifles.
This
intense competition was the spur that No. 14 Coy needed to move forward.
During
the last two years the standard of young guardsmen has improved along with their
training.
| Sgt
Lee Westerman with his Plt. of young Trainee Guardsmen, during battle training
Passing
out Parade No.18 Platoon.
Friday
23rd November 2007 |
No
18 PLATOON
Platoon Officer..........Lt
Powell, Coldstream Guards.
Platoon
Sergeant:........ Sgt Griffiths. Welsh Guards.Section
Commanders:
L/Sgt Gibson.......
Scots Guards
L/Sgt Rodgers. .........Grenadier Guards.
L/Sgt Parry.........
Welsh Guards.
L/Cpl Goom............... Coldstream Guards.
PASSING
OUT PARADE OF No 18 PLATOON.
This roving Reporter set out for Helles Barracks on a fine but chilly Friday,
4th April 2008 to watch yet another parade.
On reaching the barracks we were
held back slightly because the Parachute Regiment were just completing their Passing
out Parade.
Entering the barracks I strolled along to the Guards Training
Company office where I was warmly met by WOII D/Sgt Al. Aitkin who kindly offered
me a brew and also introduced me to the new Company Sergeant Major, Craig Hutton
Scots Guards, a man with a big voice especially on parade.
 As
I left the company office, I met the inspecting officer, none other than the
Regimental Adjutant, Major (Rtrd) E M Crofton who was as pleased to see me as
I was to see him.
While walking to the NAAFI. Number 18 Platoon came marching past with one of their
instructors and I noticed that there were five Coldstreamers in the Platoon and
two of them were the stick men or escort to the inspection party.
Returning
to the parade ground I was met by former Coldstreamer and Guards Para Eddie Norman
and promptly at five minutes to twelve the CSM introduced himself to the families/
friends in the stands.
He gave a brief run down on the parade, and instructions
of what to do and when.
The music of 'Eagle Squadron' reached our ears and
onto parade marched the band of the Manchester Regiment,
!what's this?
They were improperly dressed in combat order, not good enough gentlemen, not for
the Guards.
 The
platoon marched smartly onto parade and halted in the centre by CSM Hutton, he
advanced them to face the stand, gave them their dressing, then marched forward
to hand the platoon over to the Platoon Commander, Lt Powell.
The inspecting
party marched on parade and with everybody in place, the Pass Out commenced with
the
platoon and the
band being inspected;
I wonder what comments were made to the Band Sergeant
Major?
The Platoon then marched past in Slow time to the music of Men of Harlech,
Scipio and Duke of York and the Quick time to Rising of the Lark, Milanollo and
Arromanches.
Returning to their starting position they then
advanced in review order to British Grenadiers.
Time now for the prize winners
to receive their respective awards:
Best Endeavour:
...........................T/Gdsn Sylva B Grenadier Guards.
Best Shot:.......................
T/Gdsn Gill Irish Guards.
Best at Physical Training: .....T/Gdsn Kelly Scots
Guards.
Best at Drill and Turnout: ................T/Gdsn Mackingtosh Scots
Guards.
Best Recruit: .........................T/Gdsn Parry Welsh Guards.
Soldiers Medal: ................................T/Gdsn Banyard Coldstream
Guards.
In his speech Major Crofton congratulated the Platoon for their turn out and drill
display and paid tribute to the Platoon Personnel:
The procedures completed,
thirty four trained Guardsmen marched proudly off the parade ground to rapturous
applause from their families and friends ready to join their respective Battalions
or Companies.
It was a very satisfied reporter that left Catterick Garrison
having once again witnessed young men honed to perfection ready for the next stage
of their Armed Forces Careers.
Mannie Cook |
Citation (Abridged) for award of the Meritorious
Service Medal
to Captain J.S. Beattie Coldstream Guards
Presented by the Major General Commanding the Household Division
Major
General C R. Watt CBE 1st August 2003
Captain
Beatty joined the Army on the 8th Dec.1980 and following his 6 mths training
at the Depot, passed out in July 1981.
He quickly demonstrated outstanding
potential, gaining promotion and a posting back to the Guards Depot, as
a recruit instructor in 1987.
Following 3 yrs as a Plt. Sgt.he was posted
to the RMAS as Colour Sgt. Instructor in 1992 and then returned to the 1st Bt.
as CQMS.
In Nov.1996, he returned to RMAS as a CSM and then took up the appointment
of Drill Sgt. with his Battalion.
He was responsible for the training of the
Bt. for the Queens Birthday Parade twice.
Freedom of the City Parades for
London and Berwick, and the Presentation of New Colours to his Regiment.
He
was responsible for the Bearer Party for Lt. Gen. Sir William Rous funeral,
where he handled the intricate funeral arrangements with immense tact and diplomacy.
He has twice organised the Annual Inspection of the Scouts Association by Her
Majesty the Queen, gaining high praise from the Association for the immpeccable
support.
In April 2001 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One.
For
two yrs. that followed he was the Regimental Sergeant of Old College RMAS, where
he was an inspiration to all.
His ability, dedication and further potential
were recognised and he was selected for Commission in the Coldstream Guards in
April 2003. Captain Beatty has provided almost
22 yrs of faithful and meritorious service to the Colours.
His Commanding
Officer at the Royal Military Academy descibes him as
'one of the most outstanding
soldiers he has commanded in 30 yrs Service'.
He has provided an impressive
mix of unwavering support to his family in difficult circumstances.
At the
same time, total dedication, loyalty and allegiance to the Colours that is recognised
today by the award of the Meritorious Service Medal. |
