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For a long time I resisted the temptation to add some units of the Imperial Guard to my miniature army. After all, the guard would not have been present with such a small force. But, in the end, the glamour and colour of the 'grognards' of the Imperial Guard has won me over!

Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard

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And if I was going to do the Guard, why not start at the very top - the Foot Grenadiers of the Imperial Guard. These are the soldiers everyone thinks of when you mention the words 'Old Guard" - big bearskins, red epaulettes and plumes, long blue coats with white lapels. I selected Front Rank figures for my unit of Foot Grenadiers. These miniatures seem to be based on the famous Detaille painting of a grenadier on guard duty, as they are in an identical pose. The command figures for my unit include two drummers, a sapper wearing a white apron, a standard bearer holding a GMB Design flag, and a mounted officer.

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2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers of the Imperial Guard

I have also painted a cavalry unit for my Imperial Guard contingent. Being of Dutch heritage, it was impossible for me to choose anything other than the famous Dutch Lancers, often known as the Red Lancers, but correctly titled the 2nd Regiment of Light Horse Lancers of the Imperial Guard.

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Again, these figures are made by Front Rank. I chose to model my lancers at rest, rather than my more traditional charging cavalry pose - this was because I feel the lances look better upright than thrust forward. The pennons are by GMB Design, who also produced the flag.

By the way, the Parisian buildings in the background of the above photos are not wargames terrain. They are in fact rather expensive collectible miniature buildings from a range called Gault. My wife and I bought them as souvenirs during our honeymoon in Paris, many years ago! They are low-relief buildings, and far too small in scale, but still make nice photo backdrops, don't you think?

I have arranged the lancers into two ranks for some of these photos. Strictly speaking, the second rank would have carried swords instead of lances. But as my figures are normally arranged in my display cabinet in just one line, I've given them all lances.

Most French light cavalry units didn't carry their eagles into battle. But my philosophy is that I want all my units to have an attractive flag and eagle. As my figures spend most of their time in the display cabinet anyway, they could be said to be depicting the regiment on parade at their home depot, rather than on campaign!

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