Guards Machine Gun Regiment
The Guards Machine Gun Regiment was a regiment of the British Army, formed for service in the First World War.
When the Guards [Division (United Kingdom)|Guards Division] was formed in August 1915, it included three machine gun companies, with a fourth added in March 1917. In April 1917, the four companies were grouped together as a single battalion named the Machine Gun Guards, before being re-designated by Royal [warrant (document)|Royal Warrant] in May 1918 as the Guards Machine Gun Regiment. In June, the regiment was reorganised into battalions.
The regiment does not have any battle honours of its own as these were awarded to the parent units.
Battalions
The battalions of the regiment were:- 1st Battalion – conversion of 1st Life Guards
- 2nd Battalion – conversion of 2nd Life Guards
- 3rd Battalion – conversion of Royal Horse Guards
- 4th Battalion – re-designation of the existing Machine Gun Guards battalion
- 5th Battalion – re-designation of Guards Machine Gun Training Centre
The regimental establishment of HQ and four machine gun companies was retained until 1920, and the regiment took part in the Trooping the Colour ceremony in Hyde Park, London to mark the King's Official Birthday in June 1919 alongside the other regiments of foot guards.
On 26 February 1920 an army order was issued announcing that the regiment was to be immediately disbanded and the 1918 royal warrant cancelled.