GRENADIERS

Grenadiers were the shock troops of an 18th century battalion. With a height of 6 foot or more and with imposing bearskin caps they came at the enemy in a fearsome mode. Originally they were used to heave small black grenades at the enemy but by the time of the American War they were grenade-throwers in name only. However they still proudly wore the brass matchbox on their white belts, which no longer contained a slow match to light a grenade. In years past grenade throwing was a very dangerous occupation due to the poor technology of the black powder and grenade wicks. Many a grenadier lost hands or arms, or worse, when his grenade prematurly blew up before he could let it go.

Formed on the right of the battalion - in the place of honour - they were an imposing force to be reconed with. They also had a special duty which they performed with magnificent effect. When the Colours were marched on, the Grenadier Company became the Escort For The Colours. They marched to the strains of The British Grenadiers which you can hear playing in the background. The photograph below is of the Grenadier Company on 20 April 1975 under the command of Captain Christopher Wm. Smick preparing to escort the colours for the the Review and Presentation of the new King's Colour.

Captain Richard E Amsterdam Officer Commanding

Lieut David Kinghorn 2nd Officer

Captain Amsterdam was sworn to service on 4 July 1975 as a Grenadier soldier. He rose through the ranks in the Grenadiers to Corporal and then Serjeant. He was promoted to Adjutant on 3 Jan 1986. Capt Amsterdam served as commanding officer from 7 Oct 1992 to 1 Feb 1994. He was re-appointed as Adjutant in Oct 2000. On 7 Aug 2002 he took on the additional duty as officer commanding, the Grenadier Company.

Lieut Kinghorn was sworn to service on 19 April 1997 as a Grenadier soldier. He was advanced to corporal on 5 November 2003 and became a Gentleman Volunteer on 5 October 2005. His commission date is 26 March 2006. He serves as second officer of Grenadiers.

Serjeant Edward Scull	Corp Jeff Merriwether	Corp Sean O'Brien	Pte Michael. Coppe	Pte Paul Dooley

Pte Michael McComas	Pte George Wheat	Pte Ian Graves	Pte Frank Mendillo	Rct John Fitzpatrick

 

Rct Scott Williams		Fife-Major Mary Stone	Drummer Evan Hodges-LeClaire	Fifer Adam Hodges-LeClaire

Fifer Nate Williams	Musician Rct Benj Ruesch