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1962-63
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 Self-government was re-granted to British Guiana in 1962
after it initially failed in 1953. However, this led to riots and a British
battalion was deployed there on a nine month tour to keep the peace. The 1st
Bn, supported by a company from the 2nd Bn, deployed for a six to
nine month tour in October 1962, becoming the first Foot Guards unit to
serve in South America.
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- The first six months was very quiet, the normal daily
routine consisting of patrolling and guarding key points. However, serious
rioting broke out in April 1963 when a General Strike was called. During
the following few weeks the Battalion had to deal with several riots.
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- In early July, a small patrol attended a disturbance in
the village of Rosehall. Guardsman David Barker was alone in an unlit alley
when he was charged by fifteen men armed with spears, cutlasses and staves.
Hearing a shout of ‘Stop them!’ from the patrol commander, he set about them
with his rifle butt and bayonet to such good effect that he arrested them
all, five of them having been wounded. For his courage he was awarded the
British Empire Medal for Gallantry.
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- The situation deteriorated so badly that a Company of the
2nd Green Jackets were sent as reinforcements, and men of the 2nd
Bn Grenadier Guards began to arrive. However, the General Strike ended on 8th
July and the trouble died down, enabling the Battalion to hand over to the
Grenadiers and return to Windsor on 19th July.
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