OLDEST BATTLE HONOURS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1937, Page 2

OLDEST BATTLE HONOURS

GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS STANDARD.

LONDON, March 12.

For the first time for nearly three centuries his Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentle-men-at-Arms is to have a standard which records its remarkable history. It was announced yesterday that “the King has been graciously pleased to signify his approval of a new standard” for the Gentlemen-at-Arms. Until 30 years ago the Gentlemen-at-Arms had a standard bearer but no standard. The original standard is believed to have been destroyed in the time of Cromwell. In 1907 a new standard was brought into use. but if was of modern design. The new standard bears battle honours which are older than those on the Colours of any army unit. Raised by Henry VIII. on his accesison in 1509 as his personal guard, the corps was styled ‘The King’s Speres.’’ It accompanied him to France, and was actively engaged at. Guinegatte, near Terouenne, on August -G, 1513, an action better known as the “Battle of the Spurs.” It also took part in the

siege of Boulogne in 1544. “These honours, “Guinegatte, 1513,” and “Boulogne, .1544,” appear on the standard which is IGth century in character. It. embodies the Cross of St. George in the

chief place and bears the cypher of the present Monarch with Imperial Crown and the. Portcullis badge of Henry VIII. with Tudor crown. The St. George’s Cross was its original standard in time of war, and in certain records is described as with four “bends” —lines running diagonally across the flag. The bends are included in the present design bordering the words “Gentlemen-at-Arms.”

The corps is the “nearest guard” to the Sovereign and was renamed the “Band of Gentlemen Pensioners” in 1526. it bore that title until 1834, when William IV. gave it its present designation. The unit was present at the battle of Pinkie in 1547, and also at Edgehill and other battles, in the Civil Wars of Charles I. Its duties in the field were then taken over bv the King’s Life Guards —now the Life and Horse Guards—though the obligation for such service still exists and is embodied in the Oath on appointment.