4th August, 1914

They are the remains of a force raised here in the 17th Century…

Lilian Spender

Political observer, philanthropist and wife of Wilfred Spender

[…] just in time to see the Downshire Guards marching in. I don’t believe I mentioned them before. They are the remains of a force raised here in the 17^th Century & they still wear the uniform of that period!!! Anything so picturesque you never saw: about a dozen or more grey bearded men in scarlet coats, white breeches & cloche hats with a scarlet plume.

The Commanding Officer wears gold epaulettes & forces them up on the green outside the church after service, gives the proper words of command & then marches off at the head of them. They look very gallant, if slightly tottery, preternaturally solemn.