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The Yeomen of the Queen’s Guarde Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regina Marching Orders
This site best viewed at 1024 x 768. Last updated:
March 3, 2009
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The Yeomen of the Queen’s Guarde
Valecti Garde (Corporis) Domini Regina
Marching Orders
General Guidelines
Cadence
Prepare to Stand (Halt)
Marching to the Fore (Forward March)
Turning by Your Right/Left Hand (Column Right/Left)
Marching to thy Rear (To the Rear March)
Throw Thy Right/Left Shoulder Forward (Left/Right Oblique)
Wheel by the Right/Left Hand
March by the Path of the Road (Route Step)
Counter March by the Right/Left Hand
Counter March by the Inside/Outside
Marching to the Fore at the Swiss Step
The 1997 VRF Yeomen of the Guarde Marching in the "Opening Gate" Scene
When beginning to march, all personnel will step off with their left foot.
All commands of execution for turns should be given on the foot that is in the direction of the turn. In other words, if the command is to turn to the left, the command of execution should be given when the left foot strikes the ground.
The cadence of the march may be modified to meet the needs of the situation. The cadence can be:
- Slow (1 step per second, with a hitch in the step where the forward foot is slightly off the ground)
- Common Time (2 steps per second)
- Quick Time (4 steps per second)
Most marching at the VRF is done at the Common Time.
You will find that the cadence will be set by either the person to your right, or if you are the rightmost person in your rank, set by the person forward of you in the file. Since the person in front cannot see the person(s) behind him, personnel behind and to the left should adjust their step as required.
Before discussion of how to order a unit to move, some discussion on how to stop a unit should be considered first.
Given on the left foot, the command "Prepare to Stand, Stand" allows the Yeomen ample time to prepare to halt and to allow the unit to sharply come to the halt . This is enhanced if all members of the unit have their final footfall emphasized by stamping their right foot to the ground simultaneously.
The command is "Marching to the Fore, March." Upon the command of execution, each Yeoman will step off with the left foot. The line of march will continue in a straight line until modified by another command.
The command may be embellished by the commander by perhaps modifying the command to "Yeoman of the Guard, Marching to the Fore at the Common Time, March." This would certainly be used if say, perhaps at a Pass in Review Ceremony for Her Majesty. Use what tools you have to enhance the pomp and circumstance!
Also, you will find that the command may be modified to include a turn or a wheel, such as "Marching to the Fore with an immediate right turn, March." In this case, the unit begins moving by immediately executing a turn to the right.
The command to turn is "Turning by your (right/left) hand, Turn" and is executed on the foot that is in the direction of the turn (i.e. Right foot for a right turn).
The front right (or left) Yeoman will, upon the command of execution, march in place, turn his head to the left or right towards the person next to him, and then rotate with the rank as it pivots on him.
Persons turning on the pivot man should turn their heads toward him so that they may remain in a straight rank as the turn continues. Once the turn has reached 90 degrees of turn, all should smartly turn their heads to the fore and step out at a normal pace.
Any rank following the front rank should adjust their step as needed, follow the Yeoman to the fore and maintain a straight rank as the turn is made.
The command is given as "Marching to thy Rear, March" and the command of execution is given on the right foot.
Upon the command of execution on the right foot, a step with the left foot is taken and used to pivot 180 degree on, thus reversing the direction of march.
Marching to the Rear is always accomplished by a pivot by the right hand.
The command is given as "Throw thy Left/Right Shoulder Forward, March" and the command of execution is given on the opposite foot of the command.
Upon the command of execution, a step is taken and, if in the case of a "Throw thy Right Shoulder" command, a 45 degree turn is executed to the left. This allows the unit to make minor directional corrections without changing the orientation of the unit as a whole.
Unit commanders should note that calling this command on the correct foot will help greatly as the command and the turn that the command generates are contradictory in nature. In other words, unless everyone is paying close attention, you may expect at least one person to turn the wrong way if the command is called on the wrong foot.
Rank Formation after Throwing Forward the Left
Wheeling is accomplished upon the command of "Wheel by the Right/Left Hand, March". The Yeoman in the front rank to the side of the turn shall immediately begin marching in place and turn his head to his comrades. In the mean time, each of his comrades will immediately turn their heads towards him as to maintain good dress on the rank and begin turning on the stationary Yeoman. This wheeling action continues until the command "Front" is given, at which time all will step off at a normal pace and turn their heads to the front.
Wheeling/Turning by the Right Hand
Marching by the Path of the Road is nothing more than a relaxed formation, following the turns of the road without additional commands to change direction. However, the unit should attempt to maintain cover, dress and step as much as possible.
Upon the command, "Counter March by the Right/Left Hand, March", given on the footfall in the direction of the order, each lead Yeoman in each file will upon the next footfall turn 90 degrees, take another step and then pivot again on the footfall as to reverse the direction of march. Each person behind him will pivot at the same place he did, thus maintaining the original unit formation.
Counter March by the Right Hand
Some discussion of "inside" and "outside" must be done before we can talk about how to perform this movement. The inside of a unit is towards its center and outside is towards its flanks.
Upon the command, "Counter March by the Inside/Outside, March", each file will perform the same movements as described in the above, but shall turn to the inside or the outside of the unit.
The fact that this command causes at least one rank to be off-step for the turn should not concern you as the commander. Each Yeoman, if he is in the file that will be off step for the turn, should turn as smartly as possible.
Commanders should also note that to prepare for a Counter March to the Inside, the unit must be at the Open Order or at the Very Open Order.
Counter March to the Outside
The command, "Marching to the Fore at the Swiss Step", is normally given when using polearms at the Charge. The step is nothing more than a shuffle with the left foot leading. The command may also be modified to include "with an Immediate Lunge" at which point each Yeoman will lunge with the polearm.
Lunging with the polearm may also be accomplished if the commander should call "Lunge" on the right foot. With the step forward on the left, each Yeoman should perform the Lunge.
The command "Prepare to Stand, Stand" will be given when the commander wishes the forward movement to cease.
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Last updated: March 3, 2009
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