Gloria is from The Aquaroom which is in New England, where she helps Jennie Fitzkee of A Teacher’s Reflections.
Jennie and I came up with the idea that the children in the Aquaroom might like to find out about England..well my part of England. So we hit upon the idea of Gloria coming to stay so I could show her around. The Aquaroomers could follow my blog … And I would fill her Journal with stories and photos, for those who are there in Jennie’s class now and also future Aquaroomers. Jennie and I thought this was a great idea. So did Gloria. Below is a post aimed at The Aquaroomers I hope you and they like it!
Day 14 Gloria meets Ben the Grenadier Guardsman.
Gloria asked Earl if she could go out to willows garden to see the flowers . When she noticed that there was someone at the flag pole next door. They were changing the flag! “What is going on ” she asked Earl ? Earl looked out and replied. ” Ah! that is Ben, Gloria, he lives nextdoor when he is not looking after the King and Queen at either Windsor or Buckingham Palace. He is a Grenadeir Guard. ” “Oh! ” Said Gloria “I see….. What is a Grenadeir Guard Earl?” Earl smiled “let’s ask willow if she will ask us out to ask him.”
Now the picture above is not Ben but that is exactly what Ben dresses like when he is at work it is called a uniform.
willow took Gloria out to meet Ben, who was very pleased to meet Gloria…they shook hands and Gloria asked Ben what a Grenadier Guardsman was. Ben smiled and said . “The Grenadier Guards are one of the British Army’s oldest infantry regiments. It was formed in 1656 in Bruges by King Charles II as part of his bodyguard. Originally the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, they were renamed in 1815 after defeating the French Imperial Guard at Waterloo. Known for their scarlet tunics and bearskins, they serve a dual role of elite frontline fighting and high-profile ceremonial duties protecting the Royals.”
Gloria was very impressed and asked “do you really look after the King and Queen and the other Royals?” “Yes ” said Ben “I do.”
“What are you doing to the Union Jack flag Ben?” Asked Gloria. “I am taking it down and putting up my Regimental Colours to fly while I am at home. ” “What are Regimental Colours when they are at home? Ben? ” Ben laughed ” It’s me at home Gloria…the flag of the Grenadier Guards is formally known as a Regimental Colour, which, unlike the Queen’s Colour, is often based on the Union Flag rather than being a plain crimson field. As the most senior infantry regiment in the British Army, the Grenadier Guard’s flags are steeped in royal history and are heavily laden with battle honours, symbolizing the regiment’s 360-year-old tradition” Ben paused there and Gloria said..” Wow! 360 years.. that is old… Are you that old Ben? ” “No Gloria , I am not! “
After Ben had put up his regimental colours he took a photo of Gloria climbing up to inspect the flag. Then Ben saluted Gloria and said goodbye, he was going off for his run…. A soldier, especially a Grenadeir Guard has to keep fit!
Then Gloria went into the back garden and had a look at some of willow’s flowers.
After all this information about the Grenadier Guard’s Gloria was tired so after she told everyone else about the new flag they all read Goodnight Moon.
willowdot21 