Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-14
MUsKETS AND TREASURE.
Facts About the Bank Of England
Guard.
From London Tit-Bits.

Guard.
From London Tit-Bits.
The rumor that war ONCE economy Is to
bring about the discontinuance of the
guard at the Bank Of England has drawn
attention to subject of which the gen.
eral public knows but little, but should the
proposed withdrawal take place 1t will
mean that London will be deprived Of one
Of the most picturesque Of its few military
survivals.
Ever since the memorable Gordon riots
in $780, when iskstands were melted down
as bullets for use in defending the bank
against the rioters. it has been the custom
to set q military guard over the Golfers of
the Old Lady of Threadneedle street, and
this duty has for some time past been the
monopoly OF one Of the guards battalions
CHARTERED in Wellington barracks.
The guard consists of an officer, SER
geant, drummer twho never beats his
drum and thirty men, but the duty thus
performed by them does not cost the coun-
reimburse the military authorities for the
guards services, in addition to which they
pay the men one shilling each and provide
them with a substantial supper, The ohcer
Is supplied with good dinner and a bottle
Of wine, and is allowed to have two guests.
who are also entertained at the expense OF
the bank It Is we'll known that the late
Marquis of Salisbury frequently took pleas
ward Cecil, was on guard at the bank. For
merly the officer was allowed guinea by
way of remuneration, but some years back
this payment was discontinued.
At one time the bank officials organized
their clerks into volunteer corps. not only
for the defense Of the building and the bull
lion 1t contained, but also for service out
side it. This corps was restricted to 45O
rank and file, and was divided into eight
companies, with one Of the directors in
command of each. 1t is known that both
officers and men were well drilled and
maintained an excellent standard OF eff
cheney, being required, like other volunteer
units, to be exercised in their annual course
of musketry. At the breaking up of the vol
unteer corps in 1902 the Bank Regiment was
also disbanded, but was resuscitated the
following year in consequence of hostilities
breaking out between this country and
France.
was constituted from the clerks, porters,
messengers, etc. who were not incorporat-
ed in the original bank battalion. but this
was meant for purely defense purposes.
and was not liable for service outside the
bank. Finally. when the battle of Water
loo broke Napoleon's power, and all danger
OF an invasion of England disappeared, the
two corps were practically allowed to drop
maintained military organization. and
the Bank Military Corps continued to ap-
pear on the war office lists up till 1875. In
that year the Bank of England Volunteer
CORPS WhS luduSuIdtCu diiu ILLS ISSiIllcuI
still appears in the army list under the
name Of the 25th Middlesex (Bank OF
England) Volunteer Rifle Corps. a
The bank Is provided with the usual mill
tary guard room. together with dining
room and bed room for the officer. The
guard mounts duty at the bank at O'Clock.
and It's arrival never fails to attract a
small crowd in the vicinity of the bank
premises. Four sentries are at once posted,
and the remainder of the men await their
turn for duty In the guard room. They dis
mount at o'clock the following morning.
80 that they are on duty for only twelve
hours, whereas ordinary military guards
last twenty-four hours. From the time
the guard arrives until It leaves, the bank
employees remaining in the building are
practically under military law.
A novel feature connected with the
mounting and dismounting Of this guard
is that on its way to the bank and back it
marches through the city with fixed bayo-
nets, a privilege which It shares with tho
Bluffs. Royal Fusiliers and Royal Marines.
On wet days. however. the guard travels
by rail, usually at the expense of the officer
in command. It is worthy of mention that
the Bank of France similarly enjoys the
protection Of q military guard.