Guards Machine Gun Units

[Guest Ian Bowbrick]

Can anyone please tell me the difference between the Guards Machine Gun Company (Machine Gun Guards) & the Guards Machine Gun Regiment?

Both had unique cap badges.

Ian

[Staffsyeoman]

Two separate units, but with a linear connection.

The Guards formed Brigade Machine Gun Companies in September 1915 the same way as the MGC - by removing the MG sections from Battalions.

A fourth Company was formed in March 1917, and was then known as the 'Guards MG Bn', under a Lt Col in command. It was established as a regiment and formally titled 'Machine Gun Guards' in April 1917.

In March 1918, the Household Cavalry formed MG Bns thus:

1 LG - 1 (LG) Bn, MG Gds

2 LG - 2 (LG) Bn, MG Gds

RHG - 3 (RHG) Bn, MG Gds

In May 1918, a Royal Warrant established a new regiment, 'The 6th, or Machine Gun Regiment, of Foot Guards (or Guards Machine Gun Regiment)' with FOUR battalions - the three HC above, plus the Foot Guards Bn. A 5th (Reserve) Bn was also formed.

The Cavalry Bns reverted to Cavalry in Feb 19; the Foot Guards unit returned from Germany in March and merged with the Reserve Bn. The GMGR was formally disbanded on 31 Mar 20.

The Guards Museum has evidence to indicate that consideration was given for the Officers to wear buttons in '6s'.

The five pointed Star MG Gds badge authorised in May 1917; the GMGR badge superceded it in May 1918. The GMGR also wore WHITE metal crossed Vickers/crown above collar badges, when the MGC proper was forbidden to wear them.

[Guest Ian Bowbrick]

Thanks for clarifying that Phil.

Ian

Blimey - some gremlin must have hit my laptop - the post appears 4 times!