‘Welcomers’ Peter and Usha outside the museum

FROM the coldest corners of the world to the camel-back rides in the desert sun, more than 1,000 items telling a 380-year-old story of five regiments of front-line soldiers can be discovered at the Guards Museum.

The Foot Guards story is on permanent display at independent museum in Birdcage Walk, the place to go to learn about royal executions and coronations.

This week managers paid tribute to a team of volunteers who keep the place going and, in particular, a pair who have given more than 1,000 hours’ service over the past three-and-a-half years.

Usha and Peter joined in October 2022 as “welcomers” and often work side-by-side greeting the throng of visitors from across the world and dedicating their time to keep this slice of London’s heritage alive.

“I have always been interested in history but did not pursue it as a career, so this was a great opportunity,” said Usha.

She joined because she was looking for something to do during a career break, while Peter found himself with more time for volunteering after retiring from the civil service.

Peter said: “For someone like me who has recently retired, it gets you out the house in a purposeful way.”

The Foot Guards are senior infantry regiments in the British Army (such as the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish, and Welsh Guards) and the Canadian Army.

They hold a dual role as élite front-line combat soldiers and ceremonial troops who protect royal residences.

Olivia Collins, who works for the Guards Museum, said: “Starting together and delivering over 1,000 hours of combined service is an astonishing achievement. We are beyond grateful for their dedication and cannot state enough how valued they are here in museum team.”

The museum is celebrating its helpers during Volunteers Week while also calling for more people to get involved.

There is a drop-in event June 4 where interested people can meet the team.