On the commencement of the Crimean War, the Coldstream Guards were soon in action at the Battle of Alma, where the objective for the British were two Russian redoubts. Initial attacks fell into confusion on both sides, and into this were brought the Guards who ‘advanced in beautiful order-a well-dressed steady line as perfect as though it was in Hyde Park'.

Riding with the Coldstreams was the Guards Commander, the Duke of Cambridge, and so fierce was the fighting It was feared ‘The Brigade will be destroyed.’ It was then that Sir Colin Campbell made his famous speech to the Duke;- ‘Better, sir, that ever man in Her Majesty’s Guards should be dead upon the field than that they should turn their backs upon the enemy.’ Then leading the Guards and the Highland Brigade, they carried all before them with the enemy in full retreat.