Proud to Serve: LNER Takes Coldstream Guards Home for their 375th Anniversary Celebrations

Dressed in their iconic scarlet tunic and bearskin uniform, the soldiers marched through the station and boarded the train to make a very special journey to their hometown of Berwick-upon-Tweed, to celebrate the regiment’s 375th anniversary.

The Guards travelled on LNER Azuma train 800111, named ‘Thank You’ in tribute to those who serve or have served in the armed forces. The journey, which took just over three and half hours, is a stark contrast to the five-week trek that Coldstream Guards made on foot through heavy snow from Berwick to London in 1660. The regiment has played a pivotal role in British history ever since, having the longest continuous service in the British Army.

Since its own inception in 1923, LNER has enjoyed a proud and long-established relationship with the British Armed Forces. Ex-service personnel currently work across every department of the train operator’s business. Customer Experience Engagement Manager, Jack O’Hara, who was part of the team welcoming the Guards onboard today, served as a Coldstream Guard himself.

Jack said: “It’s a momentous year for the Coldstream Guards, and I understand how important it is for the soldiers onboard today to celebrate this anniversary in Berwick-upon-Tweed ahead of the King’s Birthday Parade, where the regiment will be parading its new colours. LNER is incredibly proud to be taking the Guards to their hometown, and we hope they have a memorable day.”

James Downey, LNER Finance Director and Executive Sponsor of the train operator's armed forces network, said: “We’re thrilled to take the Coldstream Guards to Berwick and to support their anniversary celebrations, in a year which is also special to the railway.

"This year is the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, so it's remarkable to think the Guards have been serving the country for almost twice the length of time the railway has been in existence. We wish them all the very best for such a significant year.”

Aun Abidi, London King’s Cross station manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Coldstream Guards today and help them to have the best possible start to their special day. We’re proud to support our armed forces and play our part in making today so memorable.”

Colonel Jeremy Bagshaw, Regimental Adjutant HQ Coldstream Guards, said: “We are enormously proud of our links with Berwick-upon-Tweed, the town where we were formed 375 years ago. It was very important to us to be able to mark our anniversary there, steeped as it is in so much history, much shared with the Regiment.

"We are enormously grateful to all at Berwick Town Council and the Parish Church of Holy Trinity and St Mary’s for their hard work in the lead up to the day and for making us so very welcome. But it would also be remiss of me not to thank LNER for providing us with the means to bring the Guardsmen here and back in a day; a crucial requirement amidst a very busy schedule. It, along with Network Rail and British Transport Police, have all been unfailingly supportive.”