Welsh Guards celebrate 100 year history
26 February 2015
The Welsh Guards, the fifth regiment of Foot Guards, an icon of British military tradition in their red tunics and bearskins, celebrate their centenary today.
As war raged in Flanders during the First World War the Welsh Guards were brought into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V, in order to include Wales in the national component of the Foot Guards, which already included England, Scotland and Ireland. Many of those first Welsh Guardsman who formed the Regiment were Welshmen who transferred from The Grenadier Guards, eager to represent their nation at home and abroad.
Since their founding the Welsh Guards have fought in some of the most challenging conflicts of the modern age. From the First and Second World Wars to Egypt, Palestine, Aden, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, they have served with distinction, their guardsmen awarded numerous honours including 2 VCs.
The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards marched out of Wellington Barracks to mount its first King's Guard for Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 – St David's Day. A year later the battalion were at the Somme where they combined the first anniversary of their founding and the Welsh national day with their very first presentation of ceremonial leeks - an event which has become a Welsh Guards' annual tradition. Their first Victoria Cross was awarded in July 1917 for the bravery of the remarkable Sergeant Robert Bye.
The 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards was created in 1939 and as WW2 raged, a third Battalion was raised in 1941. The 1st Battalion fought valiantly as part of the British Expeditionary Force in Belgium and France, before being part of the legendary Evacuation of Dunkirk that saw 340,000 troops return to the UK against all odds. The 2nd Battalion fought in Boulogne in 1940 and both Battalions joined the Guards Armoured Division, with the 1st Battalion being infantry and the 2nd armoured. The two battalions worked closely, being the first troops to re-enter Brussels on 3 September 1944 after an advance of 100 miles in one day in what was described as 'an armoured lash unequalled for speed in this or any other war'....
Much more interesting history here.
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Welsh Guards Celebrate Centenary With Mega Marathon
From British Forces News
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