Agenda item

Freedom of Entry - Coldstream Guards

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought approval to confer Freedom of Entry to the Borough to the Coldstream Guards which was Moved by the Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, and Seconded by Councillor Mark Houlbrook.

 

In moving the proposal to grant Freedom of Entry to the Coldstream Guards, Mayor Jones stated that the Coldstream Guards, formed in 1650, was the oldest, continuously serving, regular regiment in the British Army, with origins that dated back to the English Civil War.  Since then, it had answered the call of duty at almost every conflict with British involvement, earning a well-deserved reputation for loyalty and courage.

 

Members were informed that on the 1st January, 1660 the Regiment crossed into England at the Village of Coldstream and marched to London in support of the Stuarts.  Arriving on the 2nd February, they helped in the restoration of the monarchy.  It was during this march that the regiment stopped in Doncaster, to rest and gather provisions.  Many men from the Town followed ‘the drum’ and so began the historic connection between the Coldstream Guards and Doncaster.  That strong bond, formed over 360 years ago, still existed to this day.

 

Mayor Jones also offered her thanks to all the service men and women who had lost their lives, and those who still risked their lives across the world ensuring every ones safety and freedom.

 

Mayor Jones stated that it was her honour to put forward the Coldstream Guards for the Freedom of Entry Award, which was a small token of the Council’s thanks, and continued commitment and recognition of the special bond that existed between the Town and the Coldstream Guards, by granting them the Freedom of Entry to the Borough; the highest honour that a Council, could bestow on a regimental unit.

 

In Seconding the proposal, Councillor Houlbrook, stated that it was also an honour for him, as Armed Forces Champion for Doncaster, to be able to second this nomination.  As the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army, the Coldstream Guards was well known for their discipline and courage, and for its high-profile ceremonial duties.  However, it was an infantry unit first and foremost, with a hard-won reputation as an elite fighting force, but they also had a ceremonial role as protectors of the royal palaces, including Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

 

Members were informed that many generations of the same families had joined the Guards and served with great bravery and distinction.  In the First World War, two local men from the Regiment, George Harry Wyatt and Thomas Norman Jackson, were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery and so strong was the connection with the Town, that the Regimental colours of the 2nd Battalion had been placed in St Georges Minster for safe keeping; an honour which was only given by permission of Her Majesty the Queen.

 

Councillor Houlbrook pointed out that the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards was one of the oldest and best-known military marching bands in the world, and it would be a great honour to host the Regimental Band when they visited Doncaster in September.

 

In conclusion, Councillor Houlbrook thanked Peter Dodds and Ted Shorthouse, both ex-guardsman, for their work in preparing the nomination and the Council’s Officers for their support that they have given to them.

 

RESOLVED that the application to bestow the Freedom of Entry to the Borough to the Coldstream Guards, be supported.

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