Special Events

The items in this section cover those special events that have already taken place or are about to take place

The Battle of Mareth - 16th and 17th March 1943

There are not many survivors of the 6th Battalion as can be seen on parade at Regimental Remembrance Day and I think that there are even fewer who are survivors of the actual Battle of Mareth in 1943. Norman Mitchell (2620362) who lives in Gloucestershire keeps a Roll of those members who are still alive and at the time of writing this, there are only 34 (excluding Officers and those who have been commisioned since that time).

One such man is Major (QM) George Hackett who celebrated his 90th Birthday on the 16th September 2004 and whose family arranged a party for him near his home. There were almost 100 people present - family, friends, half a dozen members of the Cheltenham Branch and (sadly) only four others of the 6th Battalion survivors. Unfortunately many others who had been invited were unable to attend.

The son of one of the 6th Battalion men, Sean Bolan, who has painted various items for the Regiment and Association was commissioned to paint a picture from descriptions of the battle field, in the moon light, showing the Mareth Cross and crosses which marked the graves of those who were killed. These crosses were later removed when proper burial took place. As we all know after many years when the Mareth Cross itself was becoming ravaged by the wind and sand it was removed to England and erected within The Guards Depot at Caterham. When The Guards Depot was moved to Pirbright the Cross was also moved to Pirbright and upon Pirbright becoming an Army Training Centre it was decided that the Cross would be moved to London and set up opposite the entrance to The Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks and since that time it has become the responsiblilty of the London Branch, following donations from branches of the Association and individual members, to maintain the Mareth Cross in good order and preservation.

Back to the party and the painting - After a wonderful lunch, toasts and speeches Norman Mitchell presented the painting to George Hackett on behalf of all the members of the Cheltenham Branch and the 6th Battalion whether present or not.

Note: I am told that the photograph which was sent to me did not do justice to the original as it was impossible to reproduce the depth of colour of the painting. In scanning the photograph I therefore decided to leave it as almost a black and white image.

Since I wrote the above article I have heard from retired Drum Major Spot Baker (1st Battalion) by email and he sent me his memories of the Mareth Cross. I thought it so interesting that you all might to share in it.

Hi Derek,

Read the interesting piece about the painting of the Mareth cross by Sean Boland, his dad is about the oldest Drummer I believe?

When the 1st Battalion was stationed in Gialo Barracks Tripoli in 1949, I was picked to accompany a party of officers from the Battalion led by Major P.A.S. Robertson (Senior Major) which was going overland to Tunisia on a visit to The Mareth Battleground. I was a young L/Cpl in the Drums at the time, and I was to sound Last Post and Reveille at the Cross (still in situ only 6 years after the battle).After a long dusty journey along many wearisome miles we eventaually arrived at the town of Gabes in Tunisia, where we were the guests of the 4th Chasseurs d'Afrique for our stay.

When our little party arrived at Mareth for our visit, I was amazed to see a burnt out bren carrier still in place on one of the slopes - Major Robertson gave us a blow by blow account of the battle action, and actually being there on the ground brought home to me just what our lads in the 6th Battalion did that day in March 1943.

When we did our little act of remembrance at the site, I must confess to having tears rolling down my face as I looked across my bugle to where my comrades had fallen - for their sake I put my heart and soul into my bugling and never cracked one note! - For their sacrifice.- RIP

Spot Baker Drum Major (retired) 1st Battalion.

A Most Deserving Cause.

During its recent tour in Afghanistan, the third operational tour in as many yaers, the Grenadier Guards suffered 5 fatalities and sustained 32 seriously wounded, as well as an indeterminate number of psychiatric injuries.

While in Afganistan a BBC Panorama camera team spent a period of time with the Battalion, the programme Panorama - Taking on the Taliban - The Soldiers Story was aired on BBC 1 on 5th November 2007. HYPERLINK "http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=phLeiua6Y_g" Please take a couple of minutes to click on this link and watch a short extract of the final part of the programme.

It is our intention as a Regiment to create a fund that can be used in order to assist individuals and families of those wounded or killed while on active service. The funds will be used to assist in those aspects of welfare support that the Army and the Government do not undertake to provide, both during service and particularly after retirement.

In order to assist with this fund four soldiers Captain J. Fox; RQMS A. Hill; LSgt J Tack and LSgt J Ellingham all from Regimental Headquarters will be running in this year's Flora London Marathon. They would be greatfull if donations, whatever the size to go towards what is a very worthy cause.

Donations can be made on line at http://www.bmycharity.com/V2?marathonteam or alternatively you can send a cheque payable to The Colonel's Fund to Captain James Fox, Regimental Headquarters Grenadier Guards,Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ

Bruges 2006

The celebrations in Bruges. Space does not allow me to put all that many photos on the web site so I have chosen four two of which come from my own camera and two from that of Mrs Theresa Day who previously submitted those good photographs of the London March.

Royal Salute to welcome The Colonel of the Regiment, Prince Philip and also Prince Philip of the Belgians

The Regimental Band performing a "Troop" in front of the Burg

On the Saturday morning the Regimental Band, Nijmegen Company, the HAC Band, Musketeers and Pikemen followed by the Archers of the St Sebastian marched from the Railway Station to St Sebastians Hall.

This is the HAC officers and Band followed by the Musketeers and Pikeman on their way through the Market Square

Finally on the Saturday evening in the Bruges Concert Hall a concert by the Regimental Band and the Royal Gite (Belgium) Band. At this point the Last Post was sounded by two musicians, one either side of the auditorium, whilst the joint bands played "Auld Lang Syne"