# Royal Welsh
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Welsh
> Source revision: 1337645947
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{{For|Armed forces of Wales|Armed forces in Wales}}{{Short description|Infantry regiment of the British Army}}
{{for|the agricultural show|Royal Welsh Show}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = The Royal Welsh
| dates = 1 March 2006 – present
| image = Royal Welsh badge.png
| image_size = 150px
| caption = Cap badge of the Royal Welsh
| motto = ''"[Ich Dien](/source/Ich_Dien)"'' ({{small|German}}) ''"I Serve"''
''"Gwell angau na Chywilydd''" ({{small|Welsh}}) (''"Better Death than Dishonour''")
| country = [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom)
| branch = [British Army](/source/British_Army)
| type = Line Infantry
| role = 1st Battalion – [Armoured Infantry](/source/Mechanized_infantry)
3rd Battalion – [Army Reserve](/source/Army_Reserve_(United_Kingdom))
| size = Two [battalion](/source/battalion)s
| command_structure = [Union Division](/source/Union_Division)
| garrison = RHQ – [Cardiff](/source/Maindy_Barracks)
1st Battalion – [Tidworth](/source/Tidworth_Camp)
3rd Battalion – [Cardiff](/source/Maindy_Barracks)
| ceremonial_chief = [King Charles III](/source/King_Charles_III)
| ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel in Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment = Brigadier Nigel Offley Crewe-Read
| identification_symbol = 100px
| identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_2 = White (ORs only)
From Royal Welch Fusiliers
| identification_symbol_2_label = Hackle
| identification_symbol_3 = R WELSH
| identification_symbol_3_label = Abbreviation
| march = Quick – ''[Men of Harlech](/source/Men_of_Harlech)''
Slow – ''Forth to the Battle''
| mascot = [Persian Goat](/source/Domestic_goat) (''Shenkin IV'')[{{cite news|title=Royal Welsh: New regimental goat evades Army capture|work=BBC News |date=2 February 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-42919144|access-date=2 February 2018}}]
| battles = * [Operation Telic](/source/Operation_Telic)
* [Operation Herrick](/source/Operation_Herrick)
| anniversaries = [St David's Day](/source/St_David's_Day) – 1 March
}}
The '''Royal Welsh''' (R WELSH) ({{langx|cy|Y Cymry Brenhinol}}) is an [armoured infantry regiment](/source/Infantry) of the [British Army](/source/British_Army). It was established in 2006 from the [Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot)](/source/Royal_Welch_Fusiliers) and the [Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot)](/source/Royal_Regiment_of_Wales).
== History ==
The regiment's formation was announced on 16 December 2004 by [Geoff Hoon](/source/Geoff_Hoon) and [General Sir Mike Jackson](/source/Mike_Jackson_(British_Army_officer)) as part of the restructuring of the [infantry](/source/British_Army_Infantry) and it was actually formed on [St David's Day](/source/Saint_David's_Day), 1 March 2006. The Royal Welsh initially consisted of two Regular Army battalions, plus an [Army Reserve](/source/Army_Reserve_(United_Kingdom)) battalion. The former regiments formed part of the battalion title (in brackets):[{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102013.stm|title=In detail: army restructuring plans|publisher=BBC|date=16 December 2004|access-date=24 May 2014}}]
*1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) (ex 1st Battalion, the [Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot)](/source/Royal_Welch_Fusiliers))
*2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh (Royal Regiment of Wales) (ex 1st Battalion, the [Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot)](/source/Royal_Regiment_of_Wales))
The 1st battalion deployed to [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan) in October 2007, October 2009[{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/11LightBrigadeToReplace19LightBrigadeInAfghanistan.htm |title=11 Light Brigade to replace 19 Light Brigade in Afghanistan |date=15 July 2009 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716125434/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/11LightBrigadeToReplace19LightBrigadeInAfghanistan.htm |archive-date=16 July 2009 }}] and April 2012.[{{cite news|title=RC – Southwest - Task Force Helmand |url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/subordinate-commands/rc-southwest/index.php |access-date=17 September 2012 |newspaper=[International Security Assistance Force](/source/International_Security_Assistance_Force)(ISAF) |date=19 April 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230144128/http://www.isaf.nato.int/subordinate-commands/rc-southwest/index.php |archive-date=30 December 2012 }}]
In July 2007 the 2nd battalion deployed to [Iraq](/source/Iraq)[{{cite web|url=http://www.principalitystadium.wales/news/726.php|title=The Royal Welsh return from Iraq|date=11 December 2007|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=30 April 2016}}] and between 2009 and 2011 the battalion deployed companies to Afghanistan.[{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-19747309|title=2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh: Soldiers in Cardigan march|publisher=BBC|date=28 September 2012|access-date=30 April 2016}}]
The 2nd battalion merged with 1st battalion to form a single battalion, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh on 2 April 2014.[{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pictures-parade-commemorates-historic-merger-6919587|title=In pictures: Parade commemorates historic merger of Royal Welsh Regiment's 1st and 2nd Battalions |publisher=Wales on line|date=4 April 2014 |access-date=30 April 2016}}]
== Structure ==
The 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh is a Regular Army armoured infantry battalion based at [Tidworth Camp](/source/Tidworth_Camp). It comes under [12th Armoured Infantry Brigade](/source/12th_Armoured_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)) with HQ at [Bulford Camp](/source/Bulford_Camp) in [Wiltshire](/source/Wiltshire).[{{cite web|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|title=Army basing announcement|access-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report_v2.pdf |title=Transforming the British Army: An Update| page=7|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 April 2016}}]
The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh is an Army Reserve light infantry battalion based at [Maindy Barracks](/source/Maindy_Barracks) in Cardiff, with company locations in Swansea, Pontypridd, Aberystwyth and Colwyn Bay. Paired with 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, it also comes under 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade.[{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/3rd-united-kingdom-division/ |title=3rd (United Kingdom) Division | The British Army |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2018-04-10}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-welsh/ |title=Royal Welsh | The British Army |publisher=Army.mod.uk |date=2006-03-01 |access-date=2018-04-10}}]
== Regimental museum ==
The [Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh](/source/Regimental_Museum_of_The_Royal_Welsh) is at [The Barracks, Brecon](/source/The_Barracks%2C_Brecon).[{{cite web|url=http://royalwelsh.org.uk/regimental-museum-of-the-royal-welsh.shtml|title=The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh|access-date=20 April 2014}}] Meanwhile [Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier](/source/Firing_Line%3A_Cardiff_Castle_Museum_of_the_Welsh_Soldier) is based at [Cardiff Castle](/source/Cardiff_Castle)[{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8521882.stm |title=Regimental museum to open doors|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2010|access-date=12 June 2018}}]
== Traditions ==
The regiment's [cap badge](/source/cap_badge) is a representation of the [Prince of Wales's feathers](/source/Prince_of_Wales's_feathers) (formerly the cap badge of the Royal Regiment of Wales), while the [hackle](/source/hackle) of the Royal Welch Fusiliers is worn by all NCOs and Other Ranks. [Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II) was the new regiment's [Colonel-in-Chief](/source/Colonel-in-Chief) until her death in September 2022.[{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-set-royal-visit-queen-9059807?pageNumber=5|title=Cardiff set for royal visit from The Queen as she presents the Royal Welsh Regiment with its new colours|date=17 April 2015|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=30 April 2016}}]
The regiment includes a goat, presented by the monarch; this is not a mascot but a ranking soldier. Lance Corporal [William Windsor](/source/William_Windsor_(goat)) retired on 20 May 2009; a replacement, Fusilier William Windsor, was appointed on 15 June 2009.[{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8058249.stm |work=BBC News | title=Retiring army goat's new zoo home | date=20 May 2009 | access-date=22 May 2010}}][{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8100259.stm |work=BBC News | title=Soldiers choose regimental goat | date=15 June 2009 | access-date=10 June 2010}}]
== Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh ==
The Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh is an all-[brass band](/source/brass_band) within the British Army. Formed of 30 soldiers who are all members of the [Army Reserve](/source/Army_Reserve_(United_Kingdom)), it can provide a marching band, a concert band or a fanfare team.[{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/30179.aspx?t=/royalwelshband|title=Regimental Band and Corps of Drums|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 April 2016}}]
In October 2009, due to £54m of [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) budget cuts affecting front line services including the war in Afghanistan, all bookings from end of October 2009 until April 2010 were cancelled. This covered the [Autumn Rugby Union International](/source/End-of-year_rugby_union_internationals)s and [Remembrance Day](/source/Remembrance_Day). Band members agreed to honour all charity appearances during this period, but without pay.[{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8310423.stm|title=Army cutbacks hit regimental band|work=BBC Wales|date=16 October 2009|access-date=8 November 2009}}]
== Regimental Colonels ==
Regimental Colonels have been as follows:
* 2006–2011: Major General Roderick J. M. Porter[{{cite web|title=Court Circular |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/court-circular-02t2j6rnbr3 |work=[The Times](/source/The_Times) |access-date=5 April 2022}}]
* 2011–2016: Brigadier Philip M. L. Napier[{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/right-royal-family-affair-distinguished-9414462|title=A right Royal family affair for distinguished military family as Queen prepares to come to Cardiff|date=8 June 2015|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=4 June 2018}}]
* 2016–2021: Lieutenant General [James Swift](/source/James_Swift_(British_Army_officer)), OBE[{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rare-footage-shows-moment-queen-11032397|title=This rare footage shows the moment the Queen came face to face with chiefs of the Royal Welsh|date=14 March 2016|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=4 June 2018}}]
*2021–2026: Major General Chris Barry[[https://www.defenceiq.com/events-internationaldismountedsoldier/speakers/major-general-chris-barry-cbe Major General Chris Barry CBE]]
*2026–present: Brigadier Nigel Offley Crewe-Read[{{London Gazette|issue=64986|date=10 February 2026|page=2294|supp=y}}]
== Freedoms ==
The regiment has received the [Freedom](/source/Freedom_of_the_City) of several locations throughout its history. As of 2019 the regiment has received the freedom of 28 local authorities;[{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49592833|title=The Royal Welsh: One of the Army's oldest regiments is 300|publisher=BBC|date=7 September 2019|access-date=22 June 2020}}] these include:
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''23 July 2011''': [Bangor](/source/Bangor%2C_Gwynedd).[{{cite web|url=http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/104432/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-of-the-city-of-bangor.aspx |title=Royal Welsh receive freedom of the city of Bangor |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325062713/http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/104432/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-of-the-city-of-bangor.aspx |archive-date=25 March 2012 |url-status=live }}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 September 2010''': [Blackwood](/source/Blackwood%2C_Caerphilly).[{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/freedom-honour-for-royal-regiment-1899670|title=Freedom honour for Royal regiment|date=25 September 2010|website=walesonline}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''19 February 2011''': [Blaenau Gwent](/source/Blaenau_Gwent).[{{cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/8811296.Royal_Welsh_to_get_freedom_of_Blaenau_Gwent/ |title=Royal Welsh to get freedom of Blaenau Gwent |publisher=South Wales Argus |date=2011-01-25 |access-date=2019-03-11}}][{{cite web|author=WalesOnline |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/freedom-honour-royal-welsh-regiment-1849933 |title=Freedom honour for Royal Welsh Regiment |date=3 February 2011 |publisher=Wales Online |access-date=2019-03-11}}][{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-12509195 |title=Royal Welsh receive freedom of Blaenau Gwent - BBC News |work=BBC News |date=19 February 2011 |access-date=2019-03-11}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''30 August 2008''': [Bridgend](/source/Bridgend_County_Borough).[[http://www1.bridgend.gov.uk/democracy/mayor/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx Freedom of the Borough] Bridgend Council {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625151830/http://www1.bridgend.gov.uk/democracy/mayor/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx |date=25 June 2016 }}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 April 2009''': [Caernarfon](/source/Caernarfon).[{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-flintshire-2792189|title=Royal Welsh to receive freedom of Flintshire and Caernarfon|first=North Wales Daily|last=Post|date=23 April 2009}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5IOsKWdvtk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/R5IOsKWdvtk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Royal Welsh Freedom of The Royal Town of Caernarfon|last=CaernarfonOnline|date=25 April 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''26 September 2010''': [Caerphilly](/source/Caerphilly_County_Borough).[{{cite web|url=http://www.caerphillyobserver.co.uk/news/4440/royal-welsh-regiment-to-receive-freedom-of-caerphilly-county-borough/|title=Royal Welsh Regiment to receive Freedom of Caerphilly County Borough - Caerphilly.Observer|date=21 September 2010}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/regiment-freedom-borough-1897828|title=Regiment to get freedom of the borough|last=WalesOnline|date=15 September 2010}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejNMOoKDKYY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/ejNMOoKDKYY| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=The Royal Welsh Freedom of the borough, Blackwood and Caerphilly|last=steveorido|date=26 September 2010|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2008''': [Carmarthenshire](/source/Carmarthenshire).[{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-22826089|title=March celebrates town centre revamp|date=8 June 2013|publisher=BBC}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 April 2009''': [Ceredigion](/source/Ceredigion).[{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/royal-welsh-march-cardigan-freedom-2060711|title=The Royal Welsh to march at Cardigan Freedom Parade|last=WalesOnline|date=26 September 2012}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-19747309|title=Soldiers in county freedom parade|date=28 September 2012|publisher=BBC}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''20 September 2010''': [Conwy](/source/Conwy_County_Borough).[{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-given-freedom-conwy-2746415|title=Royal Welsh given the Freedom of Conwy|first=North Wales|last=Live|date=20 September 2010|website=northwales}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''13 June 2011''': [Denbighshire](/source/Denbighshire).[{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-given-freedom-denbighshire-2694740|title=Royal Welsh given the freedom of Denbighshire|first=Alex|last=Hickey|date=13 June 2011}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''24 April 2009''': [Flintshire](/source/Flintshire).[{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/8789100.Monmouthshire_freedom_plan_is____honourable_tribute____to_soldiers/|title=Monmouthshire freedom plan is 'honourable tribute' to soldiers|website=South Wales Argus|date=13 January 2011 }}][{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennychronicle.com/article.cfm?id=106164&headline=Freedom+parade+aims+to+keep+inconvenience+to+a+minimum+in+Abergavenny§ionIs=news&searchyear=2017|title=Freedom parade aims to keep inconvenience to a minimum in Abergavenny}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2006''': [Neath Port Talbot](/source/Neath_Port_Talbot) (Originally Granted to the [Royal Regiment of Wales](/source/Royal_Regiment_of_Wales) in '''July 1993''').[{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/neath-port-talbot-residents-salute-2108911|title=Neath Port Talbot residents salute troops|date=2 April 2009|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=31 March 2020}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''15 September 2018''': [Pembroke](/source/Pembroke%2C_Pembrokeshire).[{{cite web|url=https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/16867826.royal-welsh-given-freedom-of-pembroke/ |title=Royal Welsh given Freedom of Pembroke |work=Western Telegraph|date=2018-09-14 |access-date=2019-03-11}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2010''': [Rhondda Cynon Taf](/source/Rhondda_Cynon_Taf).[{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/our-special-day-royal-welsh-11998164|title=Royal Welsh soldiers marched through Pontypridd watched by thousands|first=James|last=McCarthy|date=8 October 2016}}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''5 June 2010''': [Torfaen](/source/Torfaen).[{{cite web|url=http://cod1.co.uk/forums/topic/1701-freedom-of-the-borough/|title=Freedom of the Borough|date=5 June 2010 }}]
* {{flagicon|Wales}} '''21 February 2009''': [Vale of Glamorgan](/source/Vale_of_Glamorgan).[{{cite web|url=http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/our_council/Council-Structure/The-Mayor/Honorary-Freedom.aspx?ContensisTextOnly=true |title=Honorary Freedom |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=2019-03-11}}]
== Alliances ==
thumb|right|200px|Soldiers from the Mobility Reconnaissance Force of 1 Royal Welsh take up a defensive position north of Patrol Base Wahid, Nad-E' Ali, Helmand during a patrol.
*{{CAN}} – [Royal 22e Régiment](/source/Royal_22e_Regiment)
*{{CAN}} – [The Ontario Regiment (RCAC)](/source/The_Ontario_Regiment_(RCAC))
*{{AUS}} – [The Royal New South Wales Regiment](/source/Royal_New_South_Wales_Regiment)
*{{RSA}} – [121 South African Infantry Battalion](/source/121_South_African_Infantry_Battalion)
*{{RSA}} – [Pretoria Armour Regiment](/source/Pretoria_Armour_Regiment)
*{{PAK}} – [4th Battalion](/source/92nd_Punjabis), [The Baloch Regiment](/source/Baloch_Regiment)
*{{PAK}} – 3rd Battalion, [The Frontier Force Regiment](/source/Frontier_Force_Regiment)
*{{MAS}} – 4th Battalion, [The Royal Malay Regiment](/source/Royal_Malay_Regiment)
== Order of precedence ==
{{S-start}}
{{order of precedence |
before= [Mercian Regiment](/source/Mercian_Regiment) |
title= [Infantry Order of Precedence](/source/British_Army_Order_of_Precedence)|
after= [The Royal Irish Regiment](/source/Royal_Irish_Regiment_(1992))
}}
{{S-end}}
== Lineage ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! 1880[{{cite news|last1=The London Gazette|first1=Page 3300-3301|title=Childers Reform|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24992/page/3300|access-date=27 October 2016|issue=24992|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=1 July 1881}}] !! 1881 [Childers Reforms](/source/Childers_Reforms)