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W & J STUART

Captain Oswald Ames (1862-1927), 2nd Life Guards

circa 1897

RCIN 2930983

Oswald Henry Ames, who was 6 feet 8 3/4 inches was the tallest man in the British Army. He served first in the 4th Bedford Regiment, then the 5th Dragoon Guards, and transferred to the 2nd Life Guards as a Lieutenant in 1884. He achieved the ranks of Captain in 1892 and Major in 1902, retiring in 1906 but remaining on the Reserve List of officers. Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914 Major Ames rejoined the 2nd Life Guards and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel later that year to command the Reserve Regiment. He gave up his command in 1916 and died in 1927 at the age of 65. Lieutenant-Colonel Ames is chiefly remembered, not only for his height, but because he led the Queen's procession to St Paul's Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee Service on 22 June 1897.


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