Not many people notice these railings on Brook Street, Mayfair. I think they even eluded Norman Murphy’s observant eye.
Look more closely and you will see they are the badges of three regiments in the Brigade of Guards: the Grenadier Guards, the Coldstream Guards and the Scots Guards. The Irish Guards, formed in 1900 and the Welsh Guards formed in 1915 are missing. The Guards Club dates back to 1810 and had premises in St James’s Street and Pall Mall before moving to 43 Brook Street in 1920.
You may have thought, I did, that the railings were made prior to 1900 but that is not the case. The three senior regiments date back to the 17th century and did not care to let two 20th century upstart regiments into their club. They only relented in the second half of the last century. In 1975 they had to eat another helping of humble pie, merging with the Cavalry Club (founded 1890) and moving to its club house in Piccadilly.
Very interesting! Norman would have loved to learn this.