Grenadiers: proud to be one of the Army's oldest regiments

The Grenadier Guards is one of the oldest and most historic regiments in the British Army. Thirteen of its members have won the Victoria Cross and one the George Cross.

The regiment has seen regular active service in Iraq and now on its return to Afghanistan. It began its latest deployment in Helmand province only last month, carrying out patrols to re-assure the local community and offensive operations against insurgents.

The official MoD blog of the operation described conditions as "pretty rough and rudimentary" and the daily routine as being "busy, noisy and dusty".

Based at Wellington Barracks in central London, one company, Nijmegen, is dedicated to public duties and state ceremonial events.

The regiment was formed as the Royal Regiment of Foot Guards in 1656 by Charles II in exile in Bruges.

It gained its name by defeating French grenadiers at Waterloo in 1815 after which it adopted the famous Bearskin as its headgear.