CANADA PROUD OR WHAT?

First female takes charge at Buckingham Palace

A Canadian soldier will make history as the first female Captain of the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Captain Megan Couto will take up the prestigious role with her unit, The Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

The role of Mounting the Queen's Guard usually falls to the British Army's Household Division, which is largely made up of male troops.

Canadian army officer is first female infantry officer to command Queen's Guard | UK news | The Guardian

What strikes me as a refreshing change with regards to this story is not the fact that a squad of troops that is guarding the Queen is being led by a female but the fact that the Queen is being guarded here in the U.K by troops from a Commonwealth country of which she is Queen. It sounds like an excellent idea to invite Commonwealth troops to the U.K. and allow them to provide the ceremonial guard to their and our Queen.

North Korea are next in line :madsmile:

My first regiment...and whatever you guys say...

First female Officer but Commonwealth troops regularly do the Sovereigns guard at Buck House. Malay Army, NZ Army, Fiji......

Jim,
Lots of history there mate in one Regiment and really good and refreshing to see them here.;)

I was't aware that Commonwealth troops regularly do ceremonial guard duty at Buckingham Palace, as Peter states in Post 5, and I don't recall hearing it publicised in the press before but it's good to hear that they do.


I don't know why the press are trying to manufacture a story out of the fact that a woman is commanding a group of male soldiers, so what?

If she wasn't able, she wouldn't be there, and thats a certainty. Good luck to her....be proud which I am sure she is.:thup:

On the eve of Canada's 150th year of confederation and the 100th anniversary year of Vimy Ridge I think it is fitting that the Princess Pats form the guard. Her parents, friends, relatives along with all Canadians should all be proud of her and the Pat's.
Tomorrow I will raise a new flag to celebrate our country's 150th birthday and honor her and all members past and present of our armed forces.

I have done an indepth appraisal of Vimy Ridge and the battles that ensued there at such a close proximity to the German trenches..............it left me moved by the courage of the Canadians that fought there, and the young people of today who strive to serve their country by doing a two year secondment to the ridge after passing thorough historical tests to do so.

What more can you say.............brilliant, and I'll raise a glass or two on the weekend.
Raised in early hours of Vimy battle, cross honouring Canadians returns to France - World - CBC News

When I was at Warminster the NZ Army liaison Officer invited a group of us to be guests at the High Commission while the NZ Army did the Sovereigns Guard. They did look impressive in the re-issued lemon squeezer hats. They'd been withdrawn in NZ just before I went there for the first time in '67. The Malay Army followed them, bringing their band with them as well. Once again, all the drills were identical to ours and the drill orders were given in..........., you've guessed it........ English!

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

If she wasn't able, she wouldn't be there,

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Wellllll...stranger things.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

don't know why the press are trying to manufacture a story out of the fact that a woman is commanding

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You can bet your last beer they dug hard to slide her into the spot. I was there when the very first one appeared in '89 and that wasn't what it appeared to be either...anywayzzzz

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Wellllll...stranger things.



You can bet your last beer they dug hard to slide her into the spot. I was there when the very first one appeared in '89 and that wasn't what it appeared to be either...anywayzzzz

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Thank You for your service Jim. Welcome to the 21st century. As our daughters answer the call, some pay the price. Who are you to say she doesn't deserve it? I never had to serve ,but I respect those that do.

The article is actually incorrect. The first female to command the Queen's Guard was Maj Fiona Laws at Buckingham Palace in 2009. This case is only the first female INFANTRY officer to do so. Both are Canadians though.

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Originally Posted by mr.e moose

Who are you to say she doesn't deserve it?

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Nice...I didn't really say anything. I just think you guys are doing backflips for nothing. As for the 21 century, I was still serving during the 21st century, 8 years ago. So welcome to not knowing anything about me. I think I can speak, it's my regiment after all.

It's the news article trying to make something out of nothing. What is interesting is a Commonwealth country providing the guard at Buckingham Palace, something that I wasn't aware of until now.

The news is.............a female line infantry officer, which the traditional foot Guards are part is the first time relationship to this thread.;)

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

It's the news article trying to make something out of nothing.

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Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

The news is.............a female line infantry officer,

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Zactly...

Or they are trying to be sensational which is something that can be expected from the press.

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Originally Posted by Flying10uk

Or they are trying to be sensational

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Yes...

Interesting question as to how such things will work out in service, should active service ever return in a major way. I'm afraid I don't think they will, but women are certainly capable of combat as the Russians and others have proved. The difficulty comes when men and women are expected to serve together and take orders from each other without 'nature' getting in the way. Of course these days, 'nature' seems to wandering off in so many directions that not much can be taken for granted anymore. Personally I've always thought mixed formations and unisex uniforms are plain silly on parade. Neither sex shows as well in that scenario as they do on their own IMHO, but politics trumps all.

It is what it is, the press is the press I gather that hopefully people are selected on their merits not gender, in todays world they can push a button or yell a command just the same as a bloke.
And yes the Russian's certainly proved that women could fight just as good as the male soldier not only on the ground but in the air as well think they had a fighter squadron called the "Red Witches" by the German airmen from memory the highest scoring sniper of all time was a Russian woman.