Guardsman is a rank used instead of private in some military units that serve as the official bodyguard of a sovereign or head of state.
It is also used as a generic term for any member of a guards unit of any rank.
This honour was awarded by King George V in 1918 to mark the service of regiments of Foot Guards during the First World War.
The rank badge is identical to that of private, a single chevron.
[4] The British Army's Foot Guards regiments have used the rank since 1920, when it was adopted instead of private.