  This Corps formed by Charles II was styled in 1660 "The Duke of Albemarle's Troop of Guards," in 1670 "The Queen's Troop of Life Guards," and not till 1788 the 2nd Life Guards. Life Guards were at one time known as "Cheeses," from the old gentlemen of the corps declining to serve in it as remodelled in 1788, saying "that it was no longer composed of gentlemen but of cheesemongers." The name fell into desuetude, but was revived at the battle of Waterloo, when the officer in command shouted "Come on, Cheesemongers, charge!" Also known as "The Tin Bellies" (from the cuirasses). See Note "A," 1st Life Guards. "Dettingen," "Warburg," "Beaumont," "Willems," "Peninsula," "Waterloo," "Tel-el-Kebir," "Egypt, 1882," "Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1900." Uniform, Blue. Facings, Scarlet. Cloak, Blue. Head-dress, White metal helmet with red plume. On State occasions the band and trumpeters wear a special tunic of crimson heavily braided with gold. A crimson cord it worn in the centre of the shoulder belt. A broad scarlet stripe is worn down the sides of the overalls. In addition to the four Standards carried by the Household Cavalry, the Royal Horse Guards have a crimson silk Standard presented by King William IV. The Silver Kettle Drums were presented by King George III. |
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