welsh guards

R E G I M E N T A L M A G A Z I N E 2 0 1 6

WELSH GUARDS

101 years ~ 1915 - 2016

Cymru Am Byth

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WELSH GUARDSREGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

2016COLONEL-IN-CHIEFHer Majesty The Queen

COLONEL OF THE REGIMENTHis Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC

REGIMENTAL LIEUTENANT COLONELMajor General R J Æ Stanford MBE

REGIMENTAL ADJUTANTColonel (Retd) T C S Bonas BA

ASSISTANT REGIMENTAL ADJUTANTMajor M Browne BEM

REGIMENTAL VETERANS OFFICERJiffy Myers

*REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS

Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk,London, SW1E 6HQ

Contact Regimental Headquarters by Email:[email protected]

View the Regimental Website atwww.army.mod.uk/welshguards

View the Welsh Guards Association Website atwww.welshguardsassociation.com

Regimental Veterans [email protected]

*AFFILIATIONS

5th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment

HMS The Prince of Wales

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

CONTENTS 3


CONTENTS

Front Cover: Guardsman Watters, Lieutenant Lewis and Sergeant Hedges in the Cemetery at Saint Charles de Percy.

Back Cover: The Battalion Boxing Squad, Household Division Champions 2016.

ForewordsRegimental Lieutenant Colonel ............................................................... 4Commanding Officer ................................................................................. 6

1st Battalion Welsh GuardsThe Prince of Wales’s Company ............................................................... 8Number Two Company ........................................................................... 12Number Three Company ......................................................................... 16Headquarter Company ........................................................................... 18Support Company .................................................................................... 22

Regimental BandEdinburgh Tattoo Down Under ............................................................. 25FA Cup Final ............................................................................................... 27Thiepval Memorial ................................................................................... 27

Distribution of Officers ....................................................................... 30

Distribution of Warrant Officers ..................................................... 32

Honours and Awards ........................................................................... 33

Battalion TrainingContemporary Operating Environment Force .................................. 34From Platoon Commander to Staff Officer ......................................... 40Exercise Immediate Response ............................................................... 42Mortar Platoon Cadre .............................................................................. 45

Battalion SportsWelsh Guards Polo ................................................................................... 46Welsh Guards Boxing .............................................................................. 48Welsh Guards Enduro Team .................................................................. 57Welsh Guards Officers’ Mess Ski Trip ................................................... 59Mont Ventoux Cycling .............................................................................. 60Exercise Welsh Pyrenean Bull ................................................................ 60

Adventure Training1st Battalion Scots Guards Ski Trip ....................................................... 64Round the Island Race ............................................................................. 66Bavaria ........................................................................................................ 67

Regimental and Battalion EventsSt David’s Day ............................................................................................ 68Pembroke Town Rallies Again ............................................................... 69The Oratory School CCF Inspection ....................................................... 70Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visit .................................................. 71HMS Prince of Wales – Affiliates’ Day ................................................... 72Centenary Wood at Coed FFos Las ....................................................... 74Remembrance Sunday 2016 .................................................................. 75

Battlefield Tours

Saint Charles de Percy ............................................................................. 79

Operation Somme Reflect ...................................................................... 80

Exercise Somme Dragon ......................................................................... 81

Centenary Pilgrimage to The Somme .................................................. 82

Regimental Battlefield Tour ................................................................... 86

Other Articles

Off to the Races ......................................................................................... 89

Honouring the Regiment’s Sportsmen ............................................... 90

Town Remembers its Fallen Sons ......................................................... 91

The Welsh Guards Collection ................................................................. 92

The Association Battlefield Tour ............................................................ 94

The Llanelli War Memorial ...................................................................... 96

Gilbert Priddy - 100 Not Out ................................................................... 97

Walk On Wales 2016 ................................................................................. 98

South Wales Police Charity Boxing Event ............................................ 99

Regimental Veterans Officer Report ........................................... 101

Welsh Guards Association

Secretary General’s Report .................................................................. 103

Cardiff Branch Report ............................................................................ 103

East Glamorgan Branch Report .......................................................... 104

Llanelli Branch Report ........................................................................... 105

London Branch Report ......................................................................... 105

Merthyr Tydfil Branch Report .............................................................. 106

Midlands Branch Report ....................................................................... 107

Monmouthshire Branch Report .......................................................... 107

Montgomery and Shropshire Branch Report .................................. 109

North of England Branch Report ........................................................ 111

North Wales Branch Report .................................................................. 113

Ogmore Branch Report ......................................................................... 114

Swansea and West Glamorgan Branch Report ............................... 116

Welsh Guards Reunited Branch Report ............................................. 118

Welsh Guards Association Darts and Shoot .................................... 124

Annual General Meeting ...................................................................... 126

Forecast of Events .............................................................................. 129

In Memoriam ........................................................................................ 130


Major General R J Æ Stanford MBE, Regimental Lieutenant Colonel

FOREWORDThe past twelve months have seen a period of success as well as change for

the Battalion, the Band and the Regiment more broadly. The only constantin the Army of today is change and we can expect to see more changes in thecoming months as the structure known as Army 2020 is refined to enable theArmy to field a properly structured war fighting division.

The current Army structure is not

optimised for this especially when new

cutting edge equipment comes into

service in the coming decades. This will

have an effect on the Battalion and I am

confident we will be the beneficiary; more

of this once we know the detail of any

announcements. There are also potential

changes ahead for the terms and

conditions of service for our men, and

potentially women, in the future. There is a

degree of uncertainty at the moment

surrounding the future accommodation

model, the package for new joiners and

the potential for flexible employment of

some description. Uncertainty is never

welcome but we must modernise our

method of employment, to a degree, and

we can be assured that the Chief of the

General Staff is very closely engaged in all

these programmes and will ensure we get

the best offer possible.

In the last 12 months the Battalion has

converted to become a Light Mechanised

Battalion equipped with the FOXHOUND

vehicle and restructured the orbat. No 3

Company is no longer a Rifle Company but

an Intelligence, Surveillance and

Reconnaissance (ISR) Company. A huge

amount of training has taken place to

ensure the right people are trained on a

wide range of vehicles and weapons as

well as learning the tactical drills such a

battalion requires. In order to achieve this

a great deal of time has been spent on

exercises on Salisbury Plain and elsewhere,

including in Kenya for No 2 Company,

Slovenia for Battalion Headquarters and a

Combined Arms Simulated Training (CAST)

in Germany. All this hard work will

culminate, and be tested, in Jan – Mar 2017

on EX WESSEX STORM. Amongst all this

field training I am delighted the Battalion

has found time for a considerable amount

of sporting and adventurous training

activities which add a very important

element to the ‘moral component’ and of

course help retention. On top of all the

focus on the tactical issues of conversion

the Battalion has kept a very close eye on

manning levels; they are not as robust as

we would like and a lot of effort has been

expended in all aspects of this from

recruiting, where we are very well served

by the Regimental Support Team in North

and South Wales, addressing the medical

downgrading of Guardsmen and reducing

the numbers leaving. All this takes a lot of

work which often goes unrecognised

behind the scenes but without it we would

not survive.

Another aspect of Regimental life which

merits comment, is the depth of talent that

currently exists in the Regiment. A Field

Marshal, three serving Major-Generals,

nine Lieutenant Colonels of whom three

are presently in command, three other

Lieutenant Colonels already selected for

future command, three Lieutenant

Colonels at the Advanced Command and

Staff Course and a strong pack behind

must bode well for the future of the

Regiment. The same is true of the

Sergeants’ Mess where we have

considerable strength in depth with three

Regimental Sergeant Majors in key

appointments. We should never be

complacent but this tally is a very healthy

one and reflects really well both on those

individuals and the Regiment.

The Regimental Band remains at our core

and a flagship for us in ways that others

cannot achieve. Despite a never-ending

workload across the year, they remain ever

cheerful and fiercely Regimental. They

continue to be one of our best assets and

4 FOREWORD

FOREWORD 5

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE FOREWORD

proud to be so. They represented the

Regiment, and the nation, at Thiepval to

commemorate the anniversary of the

Somme on 1 July and they had a very

successful trip to Australia and New

Zealand. We have much to thank them for

and we are lucky to have the Senior

Director, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Roberts,

as one of our number. The Band is kept

very busy with daily public duties as well

as excellent support to Regimental events

as much as they can. They have had a good

year and deserve our thanks for all they do

for us.

I also want to thank the Association

Trustees, the Branch Presidents and

Committees for all their work and

enthusiasm in helping to keep our

Association going as the organisation it is.

They are the glue that keeps our veterans

together, without them we would not have

the seventeen branches we have. It is good

to see the Association continues to have an

annual battlefield tour to Hechtel and NW

Europe and excellent also that the Llanelli

Branch organised its own branch trip to

France and Belgium as well. I also greatly

appreciate what Major Charlie Carty,

Chairman of the Swansea Branch, does in

organising annual trips back to the

Falklands for our 82 veterans. I hear

nothing but positive feedback for these

journeys and I know that for many they

have found solace from visiting the Islands

in peaceful times. The Association remains

a hugely important part of the Regiment’s

DNA and whilst it faces challenges, we

must try hard to ensure its continued good

health, whether this is through traditional

structures or realising new ones such as

the use of the internet and social media, or

a combination of both, which Welsh

Guards Re-United do so well. Mention of

the Association would not be complete

without the Offa’s Dyke walk organised by

Captain Jan Koops and Dai Graham held in

June culminating in Wrexham to

remember the Falklands War 34th

Anniversary. Although never billed as a

Walk on Wales 2, it nevertheless saw wide

participation and raised funds for the

Welsh Guards Charity. My congratulations

to all who took part, particularly the small

band who did the entire walk; my thanks

again to Jan Koops and Dai Graham for

another great achievement.

Our Cadet Detachments in Wales and in

England remain an important part of the

Regiment and we must continue to nurture

them. The Regimental Recruiting Team,

under Sergeant Jury, does a lot to support

them, as does the Battalion. I am delighted

Alan Peterson, who has done so much to

support the Regiment these last few years,

agreed to be an Honorary Colonel ACF

Wales as a Welsh Guardsman. He has gone

about his role with his usual gusto and

enthusiasm and we are already seeing the

fruits of his work. We must not lose sight of

the cadets’ special value to the Regiment.

Our Regimental Veterans Officers, Jiffy

Myers, (the former Regimental Casualties

Officer) continues to do enormously

valuable work across the Regiment in

welfare and other forms of support. We are

very grateful for all he does for us and I

encourage you to read the article he has

written in this issue which covers what he

has done in the past year. As a Regiment,

we continue to make a considerable

amount of grants to those in need

amounting to many, many thousands of

pounds. I would like to thank all those who

have helped to raise funds this year for the

WG Charity; your support continues to

make a considerable difference.

We continue to have a very good affiliation

with Worshipful Company of Drapers who

have done so much for us and who

continue to do so. We are very fortunate to

have their friendship and support and we

look forward to inviting them to various

Regimental/Battalion events in 2017.

Finally I would like to express my thanks to

the Regimental Trustees who do so much

for the Regiment, nearly all of it unseen

and entirely voluntary. They have

significant responsibilities ensuring that

not only do we fulfil our charitable

objectives as laid down by the Charities

Commission, but also that our financial and

legal standing is watertight and we remain

a viable and prosperous charity. Our

Trustees are all former Welsh Guardsmen,

or the wife of one, and they are at the very

heart of the Regiment always providing

excellent advice on a range of issues as

well as looking after serving and retired

Welsh Guardsmen in many and varied

ways. We owe a great deal to them and on

the Regiment’s behalf, deserve a real vote

of thanks from us all.

We should never becomplacent but this tallyis a very healthy one andreflects really well bothon those individuals andthe Regiment.

The first year of our second centenary hasbeen dominated by the Battalion’sconversion to Light Mechanised Infantry aspart of 11 Infantry Brigade. This is amarked change from the bearskins, tunicsand Light Role of London District. It hasinvolved re-structuring the Battalion to itsArmy 2020 ORBAT, training roughly a thirdof the Battalion to drive and command thevarious Light Mechanised vehicles, andtraining the Companies how to operateand fight from these diverse platforms,procured for operations in Afghanistan.The training has been necessarilyprogressive and demanding and seen theBattalion go through a series of exercisesranging from live firing on Salisbury Plainto conducting combined arms staffplanning in Slovenia and Germany. It istestament to all our soldiers that they havemet the significant challenges anddemands of conversion with suchcharacteristic esprit de corps. Theefficiency, determination and drive that theGuardsmen are demonstrating on thiscurrent exercise are candid proof that 1WGhas grasped the Light Mechanised skillsand are rapidly developing, throughtesting and adjusting, what is ostensibly anew capability; one which has significant


Lt Col DWN Bevan MVO, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion

FOREWORDIam writing this foreword on my laptop in a barn complex on a crisp

Salisbury Plain. In the surrounding buildings and woods the Companies arequickly replenishing their combat supplies after last night’s deliberate attackand preparing their fighting vehicles for a long and complex advance tocontact. This is a battalion preparing for Readiness in 2017.

utility in today’s security environment.

As well as training ourselves, the Battalionhas been heavily involved in supportingother units’ training, particularly those in11 Infantry Brigade. With large teamsdeploying to Kenya and Belize to supportmajor test exercises and smaller teams ofsnipers, driving instructors, chefs etc.providing training support to otherexercises, we are certainly gainingadditional opportunities sharpen our skills,albeit with the added nights out of bed. Imake this point to further illustrate howbusy the Battalion continues to be, with itsfocus having switched from stateceremonial and public duties to LightMechanised operations. It is even more sowhen one considers our current stand-bycommitment to security in London.

Whilst conversion has been our mainfocus, the Battalion has been concurrentlyconducting both Defence and CommunityEngagement. To kick start our newrelationship with Indonesia and South EastAsia, the Corps of Drums completed anintensive tour of the region which,according to Her Majesty’s Ambassadorsand High Commissioners in the area,hugely impressed all those who heardthem play, not least as they performed intheir tunics and bearskins through theIndonesian summer heat.

Closer to Pirbright, the Companies havebeen deepening our ties with our localcommunities in Surrey Heath, Runnymedeand Spelthorne. These areas are fortunateto have so many enthusiastic Army Cadet

Forces and thankfully we have been ableto regularly support their training events,often taking our Light Mechanisedequipment and vehicles with us to give thecadets first-hand experience of them.Elsewhere in Surrey, we have beeninvolved in supporting local Armed Forcesand commemorative events and oursports teams have managed get a footholdin local fixtures. Welsh Guards boxers areconducting joint training sessions withlocal youth clubs and our footballers aredemonstrating their prowess with localteams.

Thanks to the generosity of the trustees,sport is a very healthy part of Pirbright life.For the last few years, an increasing rangeof sports has been offered to the Battalion,many of which have been proposed by theGuardsmen themselves. The take-up hasbeen amazing and as a result Wednesdayafternoons are dedicated to sports rangingfrom rugby to rock climbing to endurancemotocross to road-cycling, although thelatter seems to be the preserve of the oldermembers of Battalion. There has been realcompetitive success too, with the WelshGuards boxers winning the HouseholdDivision Championships, the sailing teamfinishing high up in the Round the IslandRace and Blue Red Blue Cup, the cross-country runners collecting numerousmedals and the polo team winning at theHAC. With the standard of skiing improvingso much from the Battalion’s annual springski trips, the Battalion is also sending a skiteam to the Infantry Championships –there is space for more silverware.

The pace of life in Battalion is relentless,but there is a real sense that we are doingsomething worthwhile. And withReadiness comes the promise of adventureand the Guardsmen certainly have the bitbetween their teeth.

6 FOREWORD

The pace of life inBattalion is relentless,

but there is a real sensethat we are doing

something worthwhile.

FOREWORD 7

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE FOREWORD

8 THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY

THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANYY Ddraig Goch Ddyry Cychwyn - The Red Dragon Gives a Lead


Maj Spencer Smith

Lt Gill

2Lt Razzall

2Lt Ross

WO2 Peters

CSgt Bick

Sgt Edwards

Sgt Evans

Sgt Jayne

Sgt Sale MC

Sgt Skitt

LSgt Carr

LSgt Davies

LSgt Dove

LSgt Greenman

LSgt Jones 78

LSgt Jones 91

LSgt Pickersgill-Jones

LSgt Rutledge

LCpl Allport

LCpl Divavesi

LCpl Frost

LCpl Harris

LCpl Henneberry

LCpl Kirui

LCpl Love

LCpl Lovell

LCpl Lucas

LCpl Morgan

LCpl Noyes

LCpl Roberts 72

LCpl Whiles

LCpl Williams

Gdsm Campbell

Gdsm Ceesay

Gdsm Collins

Gdsm Davies 74

Gdsm Durkan

Gdsm Dyer

Gdsm Fisher

Gdsm Griffiths 10

Gdsm Goddard

Gdsm Hackney

Gdsm Hall

Gdsm Harty

Gdsm Howells

Gdsm Hunt

Gdsm Jackson

Gdsm Jones 97

Gdsm Knill

Gdsm Kropacek

Gdsm Lapping

Gdsm Lewis 22

Gdsm Manning

Gdsm Manfield

Gdsm Mortlock

Gdsm Murphy 04

Gdsm Murphy 38

Gdsm Nabukebuke

Gdsm Namakadre

Gdsm Petrakis

Gdsm Rice

Gdsm Philips 65

Gdsm Philips 10

Gdsm Robins

Gdsm Singleton

Gdsm Sture

Gdsm Thomas 07

Gdsm Thomas 76

Gdsm Ward

Gdsm Watkins

It is worth mentioning theclosing lines from last year’sarticle which spoke of theimpending deployment to theFalkland Islands. Much to thejoy of our families we didindeed make it back in time forChristmas, and to top it off thedeployment was hugelybeneficial to all who went. Notonly did they make the most ofOnion Ranges, but theplatoons took everyopportunity to conductbattlefield tours, visit the localwildlife and build relationswith the RAF – whilst puttingtheir Typhoon pilots throughthe bayonet assault course!

In January we said goodbye toLt Gill for a short detachment toJCTTAT in Shorncliffe, hedeployed to the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia as the Ops Offr fora Short Term Training Team.Meanwhile back in Battalion

After a year of celebration, 2016 promised a period ofreflection and some hard work in preparation for the

Battalion’s new role as Light Mechanised Infantry.

the Company started theirconversion to become a LtMech Battalion, with theinevitable focus on drivertraining. This required a hugeeffort from every member ofthe Company and especiallythose younger Guardsmenwho only just received theirprovisional licences. Many aman found himself becomingan accomplished driver of a 7tonne vehicle, despite the factthey had only started drivingearlier in the year.

Since 2015 the Army has beenplaced on standby to provideassistance to the civilauthorities under the bannerof Op TEMPERER. The Prince ofWales’s Company foundthemselves as the leadelement for the Battalion andwere on 12 hours’ notice tomove for much of January andFebruary. This inevitably had

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THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY 9

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY

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3

1. Foxhounds on Excercise.2. The Prince of Wales’s Company,

Onion Ranges, Falkland Islands.3. The Battalion Shooting Team in Action.

10 THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY

THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

an impact on what training wecould undertake and how farwe could travel, but 2Lt Rossmade up for these restrictionsby leading the BattalionShooting Team throughnumerous competitions.

Despite conflicting tasks theteam performed with aplombat the 11 Brigade competitionqualifying for the 1 Divcompetition and then dulyqualified for the Army ShootingCompetition at Bisley. Theydeserved to bring home somesilverware, but on this occasionit was not to be. However agreater prize is for the takingby investing in the spark ofinterest that has beenharboured and commitmentspermitting, we will compete in2017 hoping for success again.

As the year progressed wepicked up an increasingnumber of external tasks andoverseas deployments. Thefirst of which was Ex TWINTOWN. This CT1 exercise inSennybridge gave us theopportunity to integrate with 3R WELSH for the first time since2014. The Reservists arrived enmasse Saturday morning andconducted a number ofadvance to contactsthroughout the day.

A quick re-ORBAT followed bynight recces on the enemypositions, set the conditions fora deliberate dawn attack toround the weekend off.Concurrently 3 Platoon wereattached to 1st BattalionGrenadier Guards anddeployed to Kenya on ExASKARI STORM. The Battalionare now veritable veterans ofthe Askari Storm exercises, butthe opportunity to return thereonce again was welcomed byall members of the Platoon. Asever the final days of theexercise gave them the chanceto complete some fantasticadventure training before

returning home at the end ofJuly. No sooner had 3 Platoonreturned home then 2 Platoondeployed to Belize. They hadbeen chosen to support thefinal exercise for the PlatoonCommanders Division,something we have doneregularly over the years. Onthis occasion though, theexercise did not go to plan andit turned into a real-timehurricane relief effort insupport of the Belizeanauthorities. Fortunately thesituation was less serious thanthe initial estimate and theexercising troops managed todeploy for the final few days oftheir time in country.

In September the Companyreturned from summer leaverevitalised and ready for a busyautumn of back-to-backexercises. Both Prince ofWales’s Company and Number2 Company had the sametraining objectives so it wasdecided that they should pairup throughout September andconduct their CT1 training intandem. This was done over aperiod of 4 weeks in ElizabethBarracks Pirbright, onLongmoor training area andSalisbury Plain.

The final piece of the Lt Mechconversion was developing ourSOPs which formed the firstweek of our CT1 training. Thiswas supported by the advisoryteam from The ArmouredVehicle Training Advisory Team(AVTAT), who helped us with allthe teething problems thatemerged as we got to gripswith the new vehicles. This incamp training was followed bya joint deployment toLongmoor covering bothmounted and dismountedtraining serials. With a newvehicle to operate from, came anew challenge and it was greatto see the Guardsmanimmersed in the training and

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2

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THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY 11

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE THE PRINCE OF WALES’S COMPANY

helping to develop the SOPswe have used since then andwill take forward into 2017 andbeyond.

With the Indian summer passingthe first week of October boughtwith it an autumnal snap, perfectweather for field firing. BattalionHeadquarters kindly assisted thecompanies throughout, byproviding the range staff and G4support to ensure we could fireunhindered. Despite a wet andwindy start every man wentdown the range, culminating in asimple, but effective platoonattack.

As the year draws to a close it isworth reflecting that the

Battalion has not beenmechanised for well over adecade and most, if not all of thecorporate knowledge regardingmounted operations has beenlost. It is perhaps because of thecompressed ‘exercise season’that we find ourselves in a goodposition to tackle the rest of theyear head on. At the time ofwriting we are in the final daysbefore we deploy on exercise toSalisbury Plain and Germany,both exercises are the validationof this year’s hard work. The bigtest comes in January next yearwhen we deploy on Ex WESSEXSTORM, until then the Plainbeckons!

1. WO2 (CSM) Peters.2. The FUP.3. Welsh Guardsman, PCD

Students and Staff provide in Belize.

4. As Above.5. The Final Day of Ranges.6. Company Leaguer on

Longmoor.

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5

On this occasion though, the exercisedid not go to plan and it turned into areal-time hurricane relief effort insupport of the Belizean authorities.

NUMBER TWO COMPANYGwyr Ynys Y Cedryn - The Men of the Island of the Mighty


Maj Mathieson

Lt Campbell-Schofield

Lt Elletson

Lt Lewis

2Lt Minihan

WO2 Cope

CSgt Heath

CSgt McEvoy

Sgt Bennett

Sgt Green

Sgt Hedges

Sgt Jones 51

LSgt Davies 35

LSgt Frowen

LSgt Knill

LSgt Millins

LSgt Small

LSgt Tancock

LSgt Williams 43

LCpl Campbell 78

LCpl Duffell

LCpl Gassama

LCpl Jones 57

LCpl Gurung 04

LCpl Koranteng

LCpl Lewis 39

LCpl Morgan 14

LCpl Okeke

LCpl Parry 91

Gdsm Adamson

Gdsm Al-Ekely

Gdsm Bilkey

Gdsm Brace

Gdsm Caswell

Gdsm Carter

Gdsm Couling

Gdsm Dean

Gdsm Deemer

Gdsm Duval

Gdsm Evans 32

Gdsm Goodwin

Gdsm Harriss-Jones

Gdsm Heeps

Gdsm Jacobs

Gdsm Jenkins 80

Gdsm Jones 94

Gdsm Kalis

Gdsm Kissiedu

Gdsm Lamb

Gdsm Lewis 85

Gdsm Miotti

Gdsm Mulready

Gdsm Nagata

Gdsm Parry 12

Gdsm Patel

Gdsm Payne

Gdsm Pickering

Gdsm Poole

Gdsm Powell

Gdsm Prothero

Gdsm Rowlands 47

Gdsm Rowlands-Bell

Gdsm Sullivan

Gdsm Taylor

Gdsm Thomas 59

Gdsm Thomas 61

Gdsm Todd

Gdsm Trow

Gdsm Turner

Gdsm Williams 07

Gdsm Woods

Pte Kwateng

12 NUMBER TWO COMPANY

This reporting period has seen Number Two Companydemonstrating the diversity of the Foot Guards. In the

final months of 2015, the Company mounted guard at theRoyal Palaces, exercised the freedoms of Brecon andNewport, provided a guard of honour at BrookwoodCemetery for the unveiling of a new Great War memorialand received the President of China in the BuckinghamPalace quadrangle as part of a State visit.

Around this, the entirecompany enjoyed ten days ofback to basics green soldieringon Thetford Training area aspart of the Battalion BattleCamp.

This allowed the platoons timeaway from camp to focus ontheir core business and takethe time to embed the recentlyarrived new Guardsmen. Thefollowing week, the Companymoved to Sennybridge tocompete in a very wet, coldand demanding Leuchars Cup.

The final lead up to Christmassaw the Company switch focusagain to training to supportthe Metropolitan Police in theevent of an increase in thesecurity threat in the capital.Ranges were hastily booked,mandatory training swept upand briefings, visits andrehearsals conducted.

The final weekend of standbywas used for a grouppaintballing trip in Woking.

Sport and adventure trainingalso featured in theprogramme. Three members(Guardsmen Coombs, Protheroand Sullivan) of the Companyguaranteed themselves awhite Christmas byvolunteering to be part of theBattalion skiing team forExercise FROSTED BLADE.Guardsman Coombs lovedskiing so much that hereturned to France two weekslater to take part in the ScotsGuards ski trip with LanceSergeant Hughes 34 andGuardsmen Adamson,Mortlock and Rowlands.Concurrently, the Second inCommand, Lieutenant Alsopgained a place in the GuardsCricket Club team for their tour

Approaching Buckingham Palace to receive the President of China.

NUMBER TWO COMPANY 13

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE NUMBER TWO COMPANY

of South Africa. Continuing hisadventurous streak, LanceSergeant Hughes 34, withLance Corporal Jones 57gained a place on a GrenadierGuards parachuting event inNetheravon.

As the Battalion handed inHome Service Clothing andmoved from London District to11 Brigade in January 2016, theCompany experienced the firststage of the re-orbattingrequired for our new LightMechanised Infantry role. Our small group of machinegunners moved to SupportCompany and we gained acomplete platoon fromNumber Three Company.Shortly after this, with supportfrom the rest of the Battalion,the Company deployed toKenya. Our role was to play theContemporary OperatingEnvironment Force (enemy) for1st Battalion The Royal GurkhaRifles on Exercise ASKARISTORM. Please see the separatearticle for the detail.

After a successful seven weeksin the sun, the return to a mildspring in Pirbright was mostwelcome. Leaving LieutenantCampbell-Schofield behind asthe temporary OperationsOfficer for the British ArmyTraining Unit Kenya, our driversand commanders beganconverting to the Foxhoundvehicle for our LightMechanised role.

This ran alongside ranges,team medic courses, the basicradio users cadre, languagecourses, a trip to the WelshNational Opera, cadet forceinspections, quarter guards forseveral senior officer visits,supporting the Women inGround Close Combat Study,the Regimentalcommemoration in SaintCharles de Percy as well as amulti-cultural day run by thePadre with our Foreign and

Commonwealth soldiers.Victory was achieved in theBattalion March and Shootevent in May with LieutenantLewis’s team gaining firstplace. This was followed up byColour Sergeant McEvoy’s teamwinning the pace-sticking withLance Sergeant Small awardedthe prestigious “best sticker”prize.

In June we executed thesecond phase of the Battalionre-orbat. This saw themovement of twenty-fivejunior members of theCompany move to the newNumber Three Company andSupport Company in time toundertake their respectivecadres.

Upon completion of ourconversion courses, attentionswitched to learning to use thevehicles tactically. The run-upto summer leave involved a lotof low-level training so that wewere able to come togethercollectively in September bothmounted and dismounted. Inamongst the Company rangeweek in Hythe, a 60mm mortarcadre, mandatory annualtraining serials and anunderslung grenade range,elements of the Company alsotook part in Walk on Wales, theWorld Pacestickingcompetition, supported thestate opening of the WelshAssembly and a WoodlandTrust World War One project,

1. Warrant Officer Class Two(Company Sergeant Major)Owen and the memorialsentries at Brookwood Cemetery.

2. Sergeant Bennett teaches Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear drills during Battle Camp, Thetford Training Area.

3. Sergeant Marsh at the start of the Leuchars Cup, Sennybridge.

4. Guardsman Carter conducts maintenance training during the first Foxhound drivers’ course.

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NUMBER TWO COMPANY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

commemorated the Battle ofthe Somme as part of widerArmy efforts, a 160 Brigadebattlefield tour, and aleadership day at Her Majesty’sShip Victory.

Fresh back from summer leave,preparation for collectivetraining events began. Rangeswere run, orbats werescrubbed and deployabilitywas the watchword.Simultaneously, LieutenantCampbell-Schofield took part inthe Battalion Headquartersexercise in Slovenia,IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.September saw the Companystart Light Mechanised build-up training. First stop wasLongmoor for eight days, splitbetween dismounted andmounted. The Companyrefreshed basic skills andbegan to understand the wayin which vehicles adjust everyaspect of soldiering. Followingthis were three glorious daysspent live firing up to platoonlevel on Salisbury Plain.

Routine moves in and outcontinued at key stages of theyear. Before Christmas,Lieutenant Martin moved toMachine Gun Platoon and wasreplaced by Second Lieutenant(now Lieutenant) Elletson.After Kenya, CompanySergeant Major Owenswapped posts in the TrainingWing with Company SergeantMajor Cope. Colour SergeantScarf moved to the RegimentalCareers Management Officeand was replaced by ColourSergeant McEvoy and thenColour Sergeant Heath.Lieutenant Alsop nowcommands the Anti-TankPlatoon. Lieutenant Campbell-Schofield has handed overNumber Four Platoon toSecond Lieutenant Minihanand is now the Second inCommand. This year also sawthe move of Companystalwarts, Sergeant Marsh and

Lance Sergeant Hughes 34,to the Training Wing andReconnaissance Platoonrespectively. We welcomedLance Sergeants Green andSmall from Guards Company,Catterick, Lance SergeantFrowen who transferred fromthe Royal Welsh and LanceSergeant Tancock fromHeadquarter Company.Sergeant Green, afterpromotion, is now platoonsergeant of Number FourPlatoon.

At the time of writing we willshortly return to Salisbury Plainfor Battalion-level collectivetraining and then Germany tosupport BattalionHeadquarters in the CombinedArms Staff Trainer. We haveExercise WESSEX STORM firmlyin our sights and we lookforward to readiness in 2017.

1. Lance Sergeant Hughes 34 andLance Corporal Jones 57 readyfor parachuting.

2. Lance Corporal Campbell 78, Sergeant Marsh and Lance Corporal Dimmock at the world premiere of the Welsh National Opera’s production ‘In Parenthesis’ at the Wales Millennium Centre.

3. Battalion March and Shoot winners. Harriss-Jones, Lance Corporal Gurung, Guardsmen Thomas 59 and Adamson, Lance Sergeant (now Sergeant)Green, Lieutenant Lewis, Guardsmen Smythe, Taylor and Brace and Sergeant Hedges.

4. Battalion pacesticking champions: Colour Sergeant McEvoy, Sergeant Hedges and Lance Sergeants (now Sergeants) Green (best overall sticker) and Jones 51.

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE NUMBER TWO COMPANY

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1. Lieutenant Lewis, Sergeant Hedges and Guardsman Watters at Saint Charles de Percy cemetery.

2. Second Lieutenant (now Lieutenant) Elletson, Lance Sergeant Small and Guardsmen Sullivan and Turner with the Regimental Adjutant and the rest of the group before they began their journey along Offa’s Dyke for Walk on Wales 2016.

3. Guardsmen closing with the enemy during dismounted training in Longmoor.

4. Foxhound camouflage and concealment.

5. Live firing in Hythe.6. As above.7. Members of Number Two

Company at Her Majesty’s Ship Victory.

Maj MuliraCapt EvansCapt WebsterLt AlsopWO2 LawmanWO2 Hughes 62CSgt LewisCSgt ParryCSgt Griffiths 42CSgt Davies 96CSgt Evans 31Sgt BreretonSgt CumminsSgt CrewSgt UrchSgt Jones 73Sgt Cunningham 76Sgt Lewis 88LSgt ChambersLSgt ClowesLSgt DiversLSgt DeeksLSgt FordeLSgt Hughes 34LSgt JohnLSgt MillinsLSgt ParryLSgt RobinsonLSgt PowellLSgt SterlingLSgt ViavialevuLSgt Williams 91LCpl AdamsLCpl AguLCpl Assare- BeddiakoLCpl BuretiniLCpl ButlerLCpl Davies 44LCpl DimmockLCpl DunnLCpl EverettLCpl ForganLCpl Jones 89LCpl KigothoLCpl MutetiLCpl MitchellLCpl MoriartyLCpl RetallickLCpl RoosLCpl Sandison

LCpl Williams 60LCpl Williams 22LCpl Williams 32LCpl Williams 54LCpl WorthingtonGdsm Bamsey 24Gdsm Bamsey 70Gdsm Bodden-EdwardsGdsm BoswellGdsm Davies 82Gdsm Davies 37Gdsm DaviesGdsm DadeGdsm DudleyGdsm EmmanuelGdsm Evans 37Gdsm Evans 16Gdsm FaulknerGdsm FeltonGdsm FitzgibbonGdsm GrimshawGdsm GodsallGdsm HowardGdsm HowellsGdsm HudsonGdsm Jones 13Gdsm Jones 71Gdsm Jones 73Gdsm Jones 84Gdsm Koch-PerryGdsm LockeGdsm MasonGdsm MatthewsGdsm MeredithGdsm MorgansGdsm MorrisGdsm MoseleyGdsm OpendaGdsm O'LearyGdsm PhillipsGdsm RichardsGdsm RoeGdsm SelfGdsm SokoGdsm Thomas 00Gdsm WalkerGdsm Williams 45Gdsm Williams 25

NUMBER THREE COMPANYFy Nuw, Fy Ngwlad, Fy Mrenin - My God, My Land, My King


16 NUMBER THREE COMPANY

They approached it with theirtypical professionalism andgood humour, even after therigours of the Queen’s BirthdayParade. In the background ranthe constant battle ofpreparing for conversion toLight Mechanised Infantry, thismainly consisted of gettingGuardsmen the right drivinglicences and was steered byCSM Griffiths 96. In Novemberthe Company deployed toThetford for CT1. This was withthe aim of preparing theCompany for the Leuchars Cupshortly afterwards. CT1 was aroaring success, with trainingably directed by CompanySecond in CommandLieutenant JR Farmelo. Thehard work done in Thetfordbore fruit on the Leuchars Cup.This was an arduous 24 hourpatrols competition onSennybridge Training Area indifficult weather. It involvednumerous stands including avehicle recovery with masscasualties, a CBRN serial, anambush, a platoon attack, andculminated with an assault

course. The event wascontested by platoons fromacross the Battalion but waswon by 8 Platoon commandedby Lt McNeil-Love and LSgtBladon. Second place was wonby 7 Pl under Lt Lewis and SgtMcEvoy, meaning a cleansweep for the Iron Men. Thestandard of performance is notonly testament to the highstandards set by all in theCompany, but also to theunbreakable bond felt by all inthe Company. This has beentrue throughout its history, butwas felt more than ever due tothe imminent reorbating of theBattalion.

The reorbat would involve therapid and deep transformationof Number Three Companyfrom a rifle company to anintelligence, surveillance andrecognisance (ISR) company inorder that the Battalion meetthe layout of a Light ProtectedMobility Battlegroup. As aresult, the men of NumberThree Company would be splitup and sent to other

The last six months of 2015 saw a busy period of StateCeremonial and Public Duties and low level training

for the Iron Men.

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NUMBER THREE COMPANY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

Companies in the Battalion,with a lucky few remainingIron Men. All those in theCompany were naturallysaddened that it was to betheir company chosen for thisfate, but it gave them hugedrive to ensure the Companyfinished the year strongly. Thisis evident in the superbperformance in the LeucharsCup. Central to the transitionwas the Officer Commanding,Major TJ Badham. All those inthe Company were convincedthat Number Three Companywas not being consigned tohistory, but was evolving into aspecialist company with nicheroles. Any Guardsman thatwished to remain an Iron Mancould do so, if he were to passone of the necessary cadresrun by the Reconnaisance, AntiTanks, Sniper or CIS platoons.As a result of this all in theCompany kept their chins upand saw the remainder of 2015out with real style and pride.Major Badham left thecompany for pastures new toassume the post of MilitaryAssistant to DCOM CJITF-OIR inKuwait.

After Christmas leave, theCompany Second in Command,Lt Farmelo, moved to his newjob as Battalion IntelligenceOfficer, a role he will thrive in.The next six months would seethe Company very much in astate of transition, with menpreparing to move to othercompanies or on drivingcourses. The post of CompanySergeant Major was alsohanded over from WO2Griffiths 96 to WO2 Lawman.WO2 Griffiths took over theposition of Drill Sergeant andstill proudly sports his IronMan accoutrements aroundcamp. January saw theBattalion officially reorbat andmove from London District to11 Infantry Brigade, howeverthere would still be minimal

manning until men weremoved around the Battalion inJune.

June saw the Company reallyspring into life again with all 4platoons given a massive upliftin man power. The Companywas to be headed up by MajorJJS Mulira MERCIAN, with WO2Lawman as CSM and CSgtDavies 96 as CompanyQuartermaster Sergeant. TheReconnaissance Platoon wastaken over by Capt TAG Evansand CSgt Evans 31. The AntiTank Platoon by Lt OFA Alsopand CSgt Lewis 29. CSgt Parry95 was to join the SniperPlatoon later in the year oncompletion of his stint asCompany QuartermasterSergeant to the PlatoonCommander’s Division at IBSBrecon. Finally the CIS Platoonwas taken over by Capt JWBWebster, on his return from ITCCatterick, and WO2 Hugheswho joins the company fromthe 1st Battalion ColdstreamGuards. The next priority wasto run the respective cadresnecessary for selection intoany of the aforementionedplatoons. These were to takeplace between June and July,with the Recce Platoon goingfar and wide to Otterburn,Brecon and Salisbury Plain. TheAnti Tank Platoon ran asuccessful cadre under CSgtLewis 29 and Sgts Crew,Cummins and Lewis 88. Thistook place on Salisbury Plainand made best use of thefacilities at the Land WarfareCentre in Warminster. TheSniper Platoon, under LSgtPowell, went to Otterburn,Lydd, Brecon and Warminster.The CIS platoon did notundertake a cadre, insteadfocusing on in house trainingand external courses as theyear progressed.

The conclusion of all of thecadres left the Company in a

very healthy position. Thecontinued development ofniche capabilities gives theBattalion a serious edge withEx WESSEX STORM and areadiness year approaching.These capabilities will continueto be honed on CT2 trainingand CSTTX in Germany beforethe end of 2016.

Out of work, the Companycontinues to throw itself intoextra-curricular activities andsport. LCpl Moriarty (Recce)was the pride of the Battalionwith a stunning performancein the Household DivisionBoxing Championships andcontinues to be involved withthe Battalion side. CSgt Lewis29 runs the Battalion carp

fishing team, with both WO2Lawman and himselfrepresenting the Battalion in a48 competition in November.

The next 12 months hold manyopportunities and challengesfor the Iron Men, howevergiven the promising start madesince reorbating, and the ageold determination and sense ofhumour Three CompanyGuardsmen, they will no doubtrise to them with ease.

1. Recce Pl looks on as the 3 Coy competes in the Bn Pace Sticking Competition.

2. Sgt Cunningham issues vehicle CES prior to Excercise.

3. LSgt Chambers conducting a termal soak on a possible FRV during the Recce PI Cadre.

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HEADQUARTER COMPANYOfna Dduw, Anrhydedda’r Brenin - Fear God, honour the King


Lt Col BevanMaj SmithMaj HowellMaj HughesMaj JohnsonMaj LeesonMaj BeareCapt CampbellCapt Jones Capt MarsdenCapt RyanCapt YoungCapt BrownCapt GillhamCapt ButlerLt FarmeloLt RichardsonWO1 TaylorWO1 HealyWO2 MorganWO2 Ridgeway-BuckleyWO2 GriffithsWO2 GeenWO2 OwenWO2 EdwardsWO2 HarrimanCSgt DerenCSgt JefferiesCSgt ParryCSgt ScarfCSgt TreharneSSgt DouglasSSgt ReasonSgt RogersSSgt Potter

Sgt AbrahamSgt BullerSgt CunninghamSgt Davies 83Sgt Evans 88Sgt HarrisSgt HemmingsSgt MarshSgt PheaseySgt LewisSgt SokoSgt WilksSgt BentleySgt HeneySgt GautamSgt GurangSgt JesseySgt LyallSgt BurrowsSgt WallaceSgt VickersSgt TownsendLSgt BarnesLSgt BiggsLSgt DevineLSgt HillierLSgt HorrellLSgt Jones 09LSgt LucasLSgt Morgan 65LSgt StevensLSgt PeinaarLSgt Williams 05LSgt ColdrickLSgt Montgomery

LSgt MorrisLSgt RamseyLSgt GurungLSgt CarrierLSgt DoveLSgt GleesonLSgt Van EyssenCpl PuttyCpl StanleyCpl GurungLCpl BondLCpl BishopLCpl Campbell 90LCpl GlanvilleLCpl KellyLCpl MayLCpl PriceLCpl MottramLCpl RobertsLCpl SelbyLCpl PictonLCpl BaconLCpl BroomeLCpl Brown 88LCpl EmmingsLCpl EnglandLCpl JacksonLCpl KuchuLCpl LapitaLCpl LowtherLCpl TowwnsendLCpl MeekcomsLCpl MahlanguLCpl RatchfordLCpl Proctor

LCpl ScaifeLCpl SeruvatiLCpl TemaleLCpl ThomasLCpl ThomassonLCpl WharmbyLCpl WilliamsGdsm ArmstrongGdsm AdekoyaGdsm ArnoldGdsm AnkhraGdsm BroomeGdsm CarterGddsm GeorgeGdsm HathwayGdsm HawkridgeGdsm MorganGdsm McLaughlanGdsm LittleGdsm LoganGdsm PhilipsGdsm RowlandsGdsm TheophilusGdsm WatsonGdsm Williams 07Gdsm Williams 62Cfn AdamCfn Hope-ParryCfn LillPte Arthur-NyarkohPte GurungPte WainwrightPte HannahPte Francis

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE HEADQUARTER COMPANY

We have seen two Company Commanders move onfrom HQ Coy in the past year. We said goodbye to

Major Karl Dawson who was selected to teach at the LandWarfare Centre on the JOTAC and Captains’ WarfareCourses. Major Darren Pridmore has moved aside forMajor Frankie Howell (Irish Guards) to prepare himself forhis ICSC(L) course starting in January 17.

With the personality changesand a busy forecast of events,HQ Company has tackled thechallenges in 2016 and is fullyfocussed on the events that layahead in 2017.

CSM Geen has the privilege ofbeing the CSM but also theCompany 2ic. Warrant Officersthat have completed a tour ofCSM HQ will know thechallenges of accounting forthe departments during day today barrack administration. Ithas been tackled with a calmapproach and most importantlya sense of humour. CQMS

Derren has settled into the G4world from the Mortar Platoon.He led the way in July duringthe Household Division boxingcompetition. He was the oldestcontender and he foughtcourageously but was narrowlybeaten on points by his ScotsGuard opponent.

It has been another busy yearfor the Quartermaster’sDepartment supporting theRegiment on numerous variedand diverse activities. Thisbegan with Op TEMPERER overthe Christmas period which hascontinued to run throughout

the year. In addition to this longstanding commitment thedepartment supported No. 2Company’s deployment toKenya as COEFOR and thePrince of Wales’s Company’strip to Belize to support thePlatoon Commander’s BattleCourse. The whole departmenthave worked tirelessly duringthis busy year, particularly SgtBuller and LSgt Foody.

There has been a majorreshuffle of personalities withinthe QM department. MajorPridmore handing overQuartermaster to MajorHughes and RQMS (M) Williams205 who promoted to WO1 andmoved to Sandhurst as NewCollege Regimental SergeantMajor. We have welcomed CaptCampbell as QuartermasterTechnical, RQMS (M) Morgan10, Cpl Putty and Pte Gurunginto the department.

The new role of LightMechanised Infantry has setsome challenges for all of thedepartments in HeadquarterCompany. Not since theBattalion had the infamousSaxon vehicle have we seen theMT Platoon work flat out onlicense acquisition, vehicle

accountability and care. Thepace of life is rapid and the menin the Platoon have workedhard to support the conversionto Light Mech, SupportWeapons Cadres and Companylevel exercises. When notsupporting these activities,RAAT and normal departmentroutines take place. With all thisgoing on, a twisted sense ofhumour helps to prevail.

The calm guiding natures ofCapt Butler, CSgt Parry 64 andSgt Evans 88 have enabled theMT Pl to fight through the greymist and produce a highstandard and service. It’s fair tosay the MT Platoon hasachieved a great deal during2016. They have passed the all-important inspections such asthe LSI and ECI due to sheerhard work and effort duringsuch demanding times. In thebackground, Capt Butler hasbeen managing the HouseholdDivision Boxing Team andgetting them ready for fightnight against the ParachuteRegiment. This year we haveseen the departures of CSgtHughes, Gdsm Rowe, GdsmWilliams 02, Gdsm Williams 62and Gdsm George.

The new role of Light MechanisedInfantry has set some challenges forall of the departments in HeadquarterCompany.

CQMS HQ Coy, CSgt Derren delivers a perfect punch at the HouseholdDivision Boxing Competition.

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HEADQUARTER COMPANY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

The acceleration has been feltkeenly in the Royal Electrical andMechanical Engineers Light AidDetachment. Despitesubstantially growing in sizeover the last twelve months theinflux of over forty newFoxhound, Husky and RWMIKvehicles and a demandingschedule of platform andcollective training, the vehiclemechanics in particular havebeen feeling the pinch. Thearmourers, too, have been busy,deploying to all parts of the UKin support of live firing rangesusing the full breadth of the

Battalion’s small arms andsupport weapons.

Since completing REME-specificcollective training over a weekon Longmoor training area inMay 2016, it has been all handsto the pump to developcompetence on the newvehicles - both as operators andmaintainers – and provide theequipment availability to allowthe Battalion to train. Theexercise on Longmoor was agood opportunity to run out theCompany fitter sections and LADHeadquarters to practice the

low-level skills of radiocommunication, vehiclemovement drills, establishingcamouflaged harbour locationsand tactical repair.

The training meant that as thefitter sections deployedalongside their companies forthe first time on ExerciseLedbury Hunt, they were wellprepared for the challenge ofsupporting the companies asthey conducted their firstmounted collective trainingexercise since the early-2000s.Integrating fully with thecompanies allowed a numberof early vehicle-related issues tobe resolved apace and avoidedequipment downtimeinterrupting training; it alsoreinforced tactical lessonslearned earlier in the year. TheLAD is now looking forward todeploying en masse forBattalion-led collective trainingand demonstrating readiness todeploy on operations bysupporting the Welsh GuardsBattle Group, with all itsattached arms, in 2017.

Along with normal Battalion lifeand routine commitments thechefs have been far and widesupporting various Reservist

units and promoting the trade.Every member of theDepartment has deployed onvarious taskings. The firstquarter of the year saw thechefs deploying to Kenya tosupport various units on ExAskari Storm and some low leveltraining exercises. Our chefstook the lead for the Beating ofthe Retreat cocktail parties. LSgtMontgomery was selected torepresent the Army at the Tri-service Annual CateringCompetition of which she cameaway with Silver Best in Classaward. Our Chefs have beentaking part in various sportingevents such as the cycling trip tothe Pyrenees and Ladies CorpsFootball and RLC Rugby.

The AGC Det has had a busy andvaried year. All hands werecalled to the pumps for theannual G1SI which resulted in astrong green pass. Numerousmembers of the detachmentattended and passed severalCLM courses and most of thejuniors attended Land Rover GSconversion and BRU courses.The RAO, Maj Leeson, LSgt VanTonder, LCpl Lotter and LCpl Kiruiparticipated in the AGC TripleCrown which involved a 12 mile

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE HEADQUARTER COMPANY

X-Country march with 15 Kgand a shoot at the half waypoint. They came a very credible24th out of the 120 teams whoentered. LSgt Dove and LCplLotter both attended andpassed the 8 week All Arms PTIcourse in Aldershot and are nowregularly taking Coy PT sessions.

LSgt Coldrick has been selectedfor promotion to Sgt and movesto 3 Med Regt in Preston. TheDet Comd 2Lt Richardsonpromoted to Lt and wasawarded a D Pers AdminCommendation for his excellentwork throughout the year. SgtGurung won the AGC SquashPlate and LSgt Van Tonder wonthe novice category. On the ATfront, the RAWO, WO2 Harriman,organised a highly successfulcycling trip to the FrenchPyrenees Mountains which wasboth challenging and great funfor all participants. PteCastledine, LCpl Lotter and LSgtDove attended a 5 day multiactivity package in the Isle ofWight and had a great time. Lifecontinues to be busy but fun forall members of the 1WG AGCdetachment.

The PT staff headed up by SSgtRogers have delivered well-constructed PT and catered forall numbers and abilities. Theregime of three sessions of PT aweek has seen an improvementin fitness, wellbeing and weightloss in some cases. LCplsCampbell 90 and Price havekept a keen eye on attendanceand sweat levels whilstencouraging the Company tobreak down their physicalbarriers. It is a proven fact thataerobic exercise can decreaselevels of tension and improveself-esteem. The PT sessionshave certainly done that in mostcases.

As an Irish Guardsmancommanding a Welsh GuardsCompany, it comes as nosurprise how easily I havesettled into the Battalion. Theethos of the Guards Divisionruns in all of our veins and,although we may think we areall different, we are very alike inmany ways across the Division. Iam looking forward to my timewith the Battalion and all thechallenges and the banter thatlie ahead.

1. The LAD preparing vehicles for CT2 Training on Salisbury Plain.

2. CSgt Parry & LSgt Pienaar not quite worked out they are ringing each other.

3. Pte Castledine, LCpl Lotter and LSgt Dove sailing off the Isle of Wight.

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SUPPORT COMPANYNac Ofna Ond Gwarth - Fear Nothing but Disgrace


Maj Figgures-Wilson

Capt Smith

Lt Martin

2Lt Colley

WO2 Davies

CSgt Vuevueika

CSgt Young

DMaj Johnson

Sgt Evans

Sgt Howells

Sgt Thomas

LSgt Davies

LSgt Davies

LSgt Griffiths

LSgt Hill

LSgt Kirumira

LSgt Parr

LSgt Parfitt

LSgt Rowlands

LSgt Reeves

LSgt Sheppard-Smith

LSgt Shapland

LCpl Alport

LCpl Crowley

LCpl Evans

LCpl Hughes

LCpl Howells

LCpl Kemp

LCpl Mathews

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LCpl Price

LCpl Purvis

LCpl Ryan

LCpl Siviter

LCpl Siwale

LCpl Skates

LCpl Wolfendon

Dmr Asamoah

Gdsm Bastable

Gdsm Burchill

Gdsm Brown

Gdsm Canavan

Gdsm Casey

Gdsm Ceesay

Gdsm Charles

Dmr Davies

Gdsm Davies

Gdsm Davies

Gdsm Dennis

Gdsm Edwards

Gdsm Evans

Gdsm Harding

Dmr Hillman

Gdsm Healy-Roberts

Gdsm Jones

Dmr Jones

Dmr Jones

Gdsm Jones

Gdsm Korosaya

Gdsm Lewis

Dmr Maund

Gdsm Macedru

Gdsm Mitchell

Gdsm Murton

Gdsm Morgan

Gdsm Mwelwa

Dmr Njie

Dmr Parry

Gdsm Qaranivalu

Gdsm Rees

Gdsm Rees

Gdsm Riby

Dmr Roberts

Gdsm Rowlands 75

Gdsm Robinson

Dmr Sarpak

Gdsm Shields

Gdsm Smith

Gdsm Stott

Gdsm Tavaga

Dmr Thomas

Gdsm Twose

Gdsm Waqanisaravi

Gdsm Watts

Gdsm Weaver

Gdsm Watters

Gdsm Woodman

SUPPORT COMPANY 23

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE SUPPORT COMPANY

Having recently takencommand of the Company,I must say thank you to MajAndrew Dunlop for his hardwork over the majority of theyear and I am sure he will joinme in saying a big thank you toCSM Davies 03 who has been aconstant balance to both ofour “good ideas”. The Companyhas had a number ofindividuals who have workedextremely hard over the year topromote. They are listed below:

25106903 WO2 Davies

25118754 CSgt Vuevueika

25157883 DMaj Johnson

30124753 LSgt Reeves

25224394 LCpl Skates

The start of the year saw theCoy tackling the final parts ofPublic Duties. They workedextremely hard up to the lastGuard and there certainly wasa big sigh of relief at the end ofthe last Guard. The last 3 yearsof Public Duties have seen theCoy as a whole work extremelyhard making sure the standardin London was to the requiredlevel, whilst ensuring that weremained a capable SupportWeapons Company. Theputting away of the Bearskinssignalled the signing forvehicle documents.

January saw Sp Coy changefrom the old version many ofus have known, to the modernversion we now have today.We said goodbye to the Anti-Tank, Reconnaissance andSniper Platoons who movedover to Number 3 Company. On

the same day we welcomedthe Machine Gun Platoon fromthe Rifle Companies. This sawthe Coy reduce from over 140men to now around 90 men.

The first task for the newformat of Sp Coy was to deploya large proportion of thecommand team to Kenya tosupport the 2RGR exercise. Thissaw Maj Dunlop lead the PRTand develop the live ranges totest the Ghurkha Battalion. Thedeployment was a great testfor those who deployed. It sawthe newly qualified CSgt Youngexecute his first Mortar ranges.Those who did not deploywere thrown straight into thedriver training and all thetesting that it required.

The driver and commandertraining has seen the Coyworked extremely hard, havingnot worked with vehicles sincethe “good old Saxon days”, wehave had a lot to learn. TheGuardsmen have now beentrained to drive a 12 tonarmoured vehicle around theroads of Surrey. A scarythought after a proportion ofthem were barely able to drivea car 12 months ago. TheGuardsmen and JuniorCommanders have graspedthis new role by the horns andare relishing the newchallenges and capabilities attheir disposal.

For the middle part of the yearthe Coy deployed on thespecific weapons cadres. TheMortar cadre was run onSalisbury plain. This saw thePlatoon receive and train a

number of Guardsmen andLance Corporals from the RifleCompanies. Capt Smith and hisPlatoon planned and delivereda testing yet enjoyable cadrefor all members of the Platoon.This cadre culminated in thePlatoon live firing and allmembers of the Platoonpassing the annual tests. Thishas set the Platoon up forsuccess not only on Ex WessexStorm but also for those whoattend the Mortar courses atthe Support Weapons School.

The Machine Gun Platoondeployed to Knook camp. Thiswas the first proper guns cadrefor a few years. The cadre tookthose members of the

Battalion who were competentwith the light role GPMG andtook them on to the next level.By the end of the cadre thePlatoon were live firing off theRWMIK’s and bouncing aroundthe training area conductingtactical actions in the vehicles.The future of the Platoon isvery bright and the youngcommanders are looking totake this capability to the limit.It will be very exciting to seethe MG PL firing the Battalionin with a mixture of HMG andGMG.

2016 has been a fantastic year for Support Company. Ithas seen the Company finish off Public Duties in style

and then switch fire across to the new exciting role ofLight Mechanised Infantry.

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1. Support Company Vehicle Ranges.

2. The Mortar Platoon on their Cadre.

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SUPPORT COMPANY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

The Assualt Pioneers haveretained the Corps of Drumsrole as well as developing thenew capability. Drum MajorJohnson has worked extremelyhard on getting every memberof the assault pioneers throughtheir relevant courses. This hasseen Drummers, who havespent a large proportion oftheir life playing music on theforecourt of BuckinghamPalace, now explosivelyentering a building or clearinga mine field. This not onlyshows the ability of theGuardsmen and the quality werecruit but the true diversity ofthe Guards. The Platoon thisyear has had 2Lt Colley from 3Royal Welsh attached to be thePlatoon Commander. This hasbeen a great success with himlearning the ropes as a PlComd as well as helping theDMaj with some of thechallenges of Comd. 2Lt Colleywill leave us post Wessex Stormin 2017 an we will wish himwell on his future militarycareer, be that in the Reservesor attending RMAS on theregular course.

A small group of Drummerswent to South East Asia tosupport the Queen’s birthdaycelebrations. They saw mostcountries in the regions and

experienced some very goodparties. Hopefully thisbecomes a more regularoccurrence for the Corps andwill see them maintain a highlevel of musical ability. At thevery least they will be able toplay Happy Birthday verywell!!!

The back end of the year hasseen the Coy up the level ofpreparation. We have hadabout 20 people deploy toBelize for a month to supportthe Platoon CommandersBattle Course, the Battalion hasconducted CT1 field and livetraining. The culmination ofthis training in 2016 will be theBattalion CT2 package whichwill see the whole Companydeploy to Salisbury for 10 days.This will prepare and set us upfor success in 2017 when wehave the mountain to climb ofEx Wessex Storm and the yearbeing sat at readiness. All youcan say is what a change ayear makes, January we werestanding on the Forecourt toNovember and standing on thetraining area with over 30vehicles and getting down tothe nitty gritty of properinfanteering again.

1. The Machine Gun Platoon on their Cadre.

2. LCpl Crowley on his Plant Course.

3. The Corps of Drums on Indonesian Breakfast TV.

4. The UK Tri-Service massed Bands demonstrating the Arrow Head. Crown Copyright 2016.

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Lt Col Roberts

WO1 Burton

WO2 Bailey

CSgt Hancock

CSgt Hunter

CSgt Gregson

Sgt Farnworth

Sgt Fomes

Sgt Gardner

Sgt Johncock

Sgt Mercer

Sgt Blue

Sgt Llewellyn

Sgt Evans

LSgt Williams

LSgt Dawson

LSgt Browett

LSgt Lightfoot

LSgt White

LCpl Wing

LCpl Llewellyn-Jones

LCpl Judd

LCpl Libby

LCpl Dilley

LCpl Bannister

LCpl White

LCpl Wood

LCpl Lockwood

LCpl Ramplin

Musn Morgan

Musn Watt

Musn Geldart

Musn Laws

Musn Philp

Musn Coleman

Musn Stowell

Musn Miles

Musn Mason

Musn Johnston

Musn Finney

Musn Salter

BAND OF THE WELSH GUARDS


BAND OF THE WELSH GUARDS 25

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an event whichcaptures the attention of audiences around the world.

In the many years that performers have participated inthe Tattoo it has only taken place overseas on threeprevious occasions.

February 2016 saw the Tattootour for the first time toMelbourne, Australia andreturn to Wellington, NewZealand. The event was aunique opportunity for theBand of the Welsh Guards tojoin forces with other militarybands from the UK,international groups, andrepresentatives from theAustralian and New Zealand

Armed Forces. It promised tobe a show of pomp, ceremonyand pageantry, anunforgettable experience forall who took part.

The weeks preceding theTattoo saw the band travel toPortsmouth for joint rehearsalswith the Band of Her Majesty’sRoyal Marines (Royal Band) andthe Band of the Royal Air ForceCollege. Under the direction of

THE ROYAL EDINBURGHMILITARY TATTOO DOWNUNDERFanfare for the FutureMusn Sam Miles

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...thunderous applause ringing in our ears aswe finally marched off, blinded by thousandsof camera flashes.

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BAND OF THE WELSH GUARDS WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

the Principal Director of Music,Royal Marines (Lt Col NickGrace) we started intensemusical rehearsals. Rehearsalsthen moved to the drill squarewhere the Tri Service MassedBands worked to perfect theirdrill. The marching display wasnot without its challenges, inparticular the extended lineand arrowhead formations,requiring every team memberto have absolute confidence intheir movements.

Saturday 6 February dawnedearly for the Band as it beganthe 23-hour journey toMelbourne, a short stop off inSingapore provided a welcomebreak from the long flight. Onarrival in Melbourne and aftera good night’s sleep in ouruniversity accommodation wemade our way to MooneeValley Racecourse to beginthree days of rehearsals. Thevenue provided us withenough space for all the castmembers to rehearse

effectively and add thefinishing touches to our displaybefore we transferred to thecavernous Etihad Stadium inthe centre of town. A life-sizereplica of Edinburgh Castlecreated a stunning backdrop torehearsals there, skilfully re-created by local craftsmen.

At last it was time for our firstperformance. There was atangible feeling of tension andexcitement in the Band as wewaited backstage to make our

big entrance into the packedarena. Our high level ofprofessionalism and flair shonethrough as we wooed theaudience with our impeccabledisplay, thunderous applauseringing in our ears as we finallymarched off, blinded bythousands of camera flashes. Itwas a moment we will treasurefor many years to come.

The second leg of the tour tookus to picturesque Wellington,New Zealand. A stunningbackdrop of the surroundingmountains and sea greeted usas we moved into intensiverehearsals in the compactWestpac Stadium. We werefortunate to experience thetraditional Haka greeting fromthe local Maori groupperforming in the show, themassed UK bands returningthe greeting with traditionalsong in fine voice!

Undeniably the WestpacStadium provided a muchmore intimate space for theshow, the open roof revealingthe glittering stars of theSouthern Hemisphere as weperformed for the masses. Asthe last show drew to an end,the lone piper honoured thosefallen in battle with anevocative lament. As westarted our 32-hour journeyback home to the UK we couldreflect on what had been thetrip of a lifetime for many inthe Band, from packedstadiums, exploring two verydifferent but fascinating citiesand the chance to bring themagnificence of the heart ofBritish ceremony to the peopleof Australia and New Zealand.

1. Performing between the Australian Army and Navy Bands for the Finale. Crown Copyright 2016.

2. The Full Cast During the Finale at the Etihad Stadium. Crown Copyright 2016.

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE BAND OF THE WELSH GUARDS

The Band of the Welsh Guards performed at the 2016FA Cup Final, contested between Crystal Palace and

Manchester United at Wembley earlier this year. Rapartist, Tinie Tempah, singer Karen Harding (of X-factorfame) and the NHS Choir joined the Band to perform to acrowd of over 90,000 fans.

The Band travelled to thestadium a few days before theFinal to take part in the rathercomplex rehearsals and theperformance was to includemarching alongside, andthrough, dancers and flagbearers to a rap track by TinieTempah, before performingthe National Anthem and thetraditional Abide with Me.

On match-day, the Bandarrived and shortly afterwardsmarched out to perform to theincoming crowd. This includedThe Great Escapeand Brasilia infront of the statue of Sir BobbyMoore. The Director of Music,Lieutenant Colonel Kevin

Roberts, invited severalmembers of the crowd toconduct or to participate invarious pieces– causingsomething of a media surge.

Prior to kick-off, the Bandparticipated in the build-upsequence on the pitch, beforetaking centre stage to awaitthe arrival of the teams. TinieTempah gave a greatperformance before the NHSChoir joined the Band for amoving performance of Abidewith Me. The set concludedwith the National Anthem,sung by Karen Harding, afterwhich the Band marched off tohuge applause from the crowd.

THE FA CUP FINAL 2016Musn Leslie Stowell

THE NATIONALCOMMEMORATIVE EVENT TOMARK THE CENTENARY OFTHE BATTLE OF THE SOMMELCpl Liz Libby

The Band of the Welsh Guards was greatly privileged tobe involved in the Centenary Commemorations for the

Battle of the Somme at Thiepval, France on the1st July2016.

This was the nationalcommemorative event for theBattle of the Somme, whichsaw the largest loss of life inBritish war history, with anestimated 1,000,000 menbeing killed or woundedduring the battle.

Arriving in France on the 27thJune, the Band startedpreparations for the event andsettled into theaccommodation in a FrenchBarracks over an hour fromThiepval. Arriving at Thiepvalon the first day of rehearsals,one is always taken aback bythe magnitude of the beautifulmemorial and of thethousands of gravestones andcrosses that cover thecemetery. The memorial wasbuilt at a point where thestrongest hold of the GermanArmy was based, before theFrench and British troopsattacked uphill and foughtbravely to eventually win theland. Many members of theBand took time to pay theirrespects in between rehearsalsand reflect upon the

importance of the event inwhich they were to play a part.

The night before thecommemorative event an all-night vigil service took place,with selected personnel takingtwenty-minute watches on thememorial in silence;honouring the fallen. The Vigilincluded all nations that foughtand lost lives in this battle andwas a poignant start to thecentenary event.

The Band of the Welsh Guardslead the Guard of Honour -Number 1 Company 1stBattalion Irish Guards - out tostart the service. The Band hadpreviously providedbackground music for the hugecongregation of 10,000including Royalty and seniordignitaries from around theworld. The French Guard ofHonour - provided by Saint-Cyr,the French equivalent of RMASSandhurst – represented theFrench soldiers and theirmilitary band performingsome impeccably playedFrench music.

With the congregation seatedand the Guard of Honour inplace, we awaited the arrival ofmembers of the Royal Family,led by the HRH The Prince ofWales and the HRH TheDuchess of Cornwall. Theywere greeted by the Presidentof France, the British PrimeMinister, the President of theIrish Republic and a formerPresident of Germany.

The march ‘Voice of the Guns’led the Guard of Honour off tostand vigil by the gravestonesand crosses and to attend thegun salute, which involvedguns used during World War Ifrom the British and FrenchArmies. The service thencontinued with readingswritten by men and womeninvolved in the Battle of theSomme. The Band joined forces

with the Morriston OrpheusChoir to perform 'Keep theHome Fires Burning' whilefootage from 1916 was shownon the screens set either sideof the memorial. This wasarguably the most moving partof the event and there weremany tears shed by the hugeaudience as film from the erawas shown. Love letters,diaries and letters home wereall recited to draw evocativeimages and recreate thefeelings and thoughts of thesoldiers caught up in theevents of 1916, some of whichwere delivered by descendantsof soldiers at the Battle of theSomme. The choir de LareeFrancais then sang 'LaMadelon' to further imagescaptured from the time.

Musician Max Mason led

'Abide with Me' on solo piccolowhilst walking through thebattlefield. A solo tenor singerthen took the second verse andthe Band, conducted byLieutenant Colonel KevinRoberts, joined in for theremaining verses which thecongregation sang.

The Royal Marines providedthe Last Post for the twominutes’ silence, the slowfalling of the red and bluepoppies showing British andFrench allegiance. Wreathlaying at the foot of the cross infront of the memorial was thenfollowed by solo piper, LSgtRyan Wilson (IG) lamenting'The Battle of the Somme'.

Brass players from the Bandwere then required to join withthe BBC Symphony Orchestrato perform the British National

Anthem, a huge honour to playwith a world class orchestra.Paul Hughes, General Managerof the BBC SymphonyOrchestra wrote to the SeniorDirector of Music after theevent: "It was a huge privilegeand pleasure to workalongside you at the ThiepvalSomme event. My admirationfor what you and yourmusicians do knows no bound.Amazing." High praise alsocame from senior militarypersonnel and the BBCProducer and FCO eventorganiser for the part the Bandplayed in the event. ‘LaMarseille’ concluded a moving,emotive service, remindingthose present of the atrocitiesof war and the sacrifices ofindividuals and nations,believing that this was the warto end all wars.

The Thiepval Memorial. Crown Copyright 2016.

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THE BAND OF THEWELSH GUARDS

A Centenary

Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales

�e Band accountant, Band of the Welsh Guards, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London, SW1E 6HQFor further enquiries: Email [email protected] Telephone : 020 7414 3275

Order before 1st September 201 and pay only £20 + £5 per copy for postage and packaging.Fill in the order form below and return with a cheque made out to ‘Welsh Guards Band Trading account’ to :

Name: Number of copies required:

Address:

Email: Telephone:

RRP£30 + p&p

Centenary book launch o�er

1st March 2016 marks exactly 100 years since the band’s �rst public performance. Military music historian Colin Dean is the author of a new 293 page book celebrating the centenary. It looks at the band’s development, its uniforms, the places it has visited, the music it has played and some of the great occassions in which it took part. Most importantly of all, it celebrates the ladies and gentlemen who have served in the band and made it synonomous with musical exellence for one hundred years, taking the music of Wales around the globe and making it so proudly part of our nation’s heritage.

Special o�er:£20 + p&p

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DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICERS


DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICERS as at 1 January 2017

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERSColonel-in-Chief Her Majesty The QueenColonel of the Regiment His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADCRegimental Lieutenant Colonel Major General R J Æ Stanford MBE Regimental Adjutant Colonel (Retd) T C S BonasTemporary Equerry Captain M J WrightAssistant Regimental Adjutant Major M Browne BEMDirector of Music Lieutenant Colonel K F N Roberts MMus FLCM LRSM psm CAMUS

1st BATTALIONLieutenant Colonel D W N Bevan MVO Commanding OfficerMajor E S Mathieson Second-in-CommandMajor T C Spencer-Smith Officer Commanding The Prince of Wales’s CompanyMajor G C Charles-Jones Officer Commanding Number Two CompanyMajor J S Mulira MERCIANS Officer Commanding Number Three CompanyMajor F W Howell IG Officer Commanding Headquarter CompanyMajor B J Figgures-Wilson Officer Commanding Support CompanyMajor A L Hughes QuartermasterCaptain J P Marsden AdjutantCaptain J M Young Operations OfficerCaptain J W B Webster Regimental Signals OfficerCaptain A Campbell Technical QuartermasterCaptain T A G Evans Officer Commanding Reconnaissance PlatoonCaptain O F A Alsop Officer Commanding Anti-Tank PlatoonCaptain A J N Smith Officer Commanding Mortar platoonCaptain M Butler IG Motor Transport OfficerCaptain J J Jones Unit Welfare OfficerCaptain L Ryan Regimental Careers Management OfficerLieutenant J F Z Martin TBCLieutenant J P Gill Second-in-Command The Prince of Wales’s CompanyLieutenant T Campbell-Schofield Second-in-Command Number Two CompanyLieutenant J Lewis Officer Commanding Machine Gun PlatoonLieutenant P Razzall Platoon Commander Prince of Wales’s CompanyLieutenant G Elletson Platoon Commander No 2 Company2nd Lieutenant L Colley RWELSH Assault Pioneer Platoon Commander2nd Lieutenant C Ross Platoon Commander Prince of Wales’s Company2nd Lieutenant E Anderson Platoon Commander Prince of Wales’s Company2nd Lieutenant T Minihan Platoon Commander No 2 Company2nd Lieutenant W Clarke Platoon Commander No 2 Company2nd Lieutenant E Scott-Bowden Platoon Commanders Battle Course2nd Lieutenant F Ruscombe-King Platoon Commanders Battle Course

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EXTRA REGIMENTALLY EMPLOYED

Major General R H Talbot Rice CBE Director, Land Equipment, Defence Eqpt & Sp Major General B J Bathurst CBE GOC London District and Major General Commanding The Household Division Major General R J Æ Stanford MBE GOC Regional Command Colonel G A J Macintosh OBE Advisor Royal Jordan Army Lieutenant Colonel B P N Ramsay OBE Commanding Officer 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, CatterickLieutenant Colonel G R Harris DSO MBE SO1 Parliament, MODLieutenant Colonel G C G R Stone Commanding Officer ATR GranthamLieutenant Colonel N Mott MBE Staff Quartermaster, ITC CatterickLieutenant Colonel H G C Bettinson Morpheus Dep Project Manager, MODLieutenant Colonel J D Salusbury Advanced Command Staff CourseLieutenant Colonel M L Lewis Chief of Staff 101 Logistic BrigadeLieutenant Colonel C T Sargent MBE OP SHADER, KuwaitLieutenant Colonel H S Llewelyn-Usher Advanced Command Staff CourseLieutenant Colonel T A Smith Chief of Staff School of Infantry Major T J Badham SO2 Off Pol CA/Dev, Army HQMajor A J Salusbury OC Senior Division, IBS BreconMajorJ W Aldridge SO2 Contest Asia, MOD Ops DirMajor J D Livesey MOD A BlockMajor C J P Davies SO2 Media, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps, MilanMajor A F Bowen SO2 Flex Engt System, MODMajor K Dawson SO2 DS, JOTAC and CWC, LWS, WarminsterMajor D Pridmore ICSC (L)Major C H L Beare ICSC (L)Captain C S N Fenton ICSC (L)Captain E R Emlyn-Williams SO3 G7, Anti Tanks, Sp Wpns School, WarminsterCaptain A L Major Adjutant ITC Sp BnCaptain T W J Hutton Extra Regimental DutyCaptain A W Budge ADC GOC London District Captain D Luther Davies SO3 G2/G3 Ops Offr BATUSCaptain M Pollard MTO, 1RRFCaptain M J Wright Assistant Equerry to HRH The Prince of WalesCaptain J O Dinwiddie 2IC Pathfinder Company, 16 Air Asslt BdeLieutenant M R C McNeil-Love EX LONG LOOK New Zealand

INFANTRY TRAINING CENTRE CATTERICKLieutenant E J Clarke Platoon CommanderLieutenant T W S Evans Platoon Commander

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICERS

DISTRIBUTION OF OFFICERS 31

DISTRIBUTION OF WARRANT OFFICERS


DISTRIBUTION OF WARRANT OFFICERS AND BATTALION STAFF AS OF 1 JANUARY 2017

REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERSRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant 25018575 WO2 SA O’Brien

REGIMENTAL BANDBand Master 25085276 WO1 RD BurtonBand Sergeant Major 24710515 WO2 K Bailey

1ST BATTALIONRegimental Sergeant Major 25050230 WO1 C TaylorRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant (Main) 25044310 WO2 D MorganRegimental Quartermaster Sergeant (Tech) 25061898 WO2 M R-BuckleyDrill Sergeant 25096596 WO2 A Griffiths The Prince of Wales’s Company 25088682 WO2 S PetersCSM Number Two Company 25102725 WO2 D CopeCSM Number Three Company 25062354 WO2 N LawmanCSM Headquarter Company 25075959 WO2 J GeenCSM Support Company 25106903 WO2 D DaviesRegimental Signals Warrant Officer 25074462 WO2 DK Hughes

EXTRA REGIMENTALLY EMPLOYEDRSM New College RMAS 25020405 WO1 C WilliamsRSM Londons 24921250 WO1 E GriffithsRQMS MTMC 25036627 WO2 G WilliamsUWWO Infantry Battle School 25038700 WO2 M ParryCSM RMAS 25067519 WO2 M ParryTraining Warrant Officer Pirbright 25066690 WO2 A Davies

LONG SERVICE LISTACIO Wrexham 24623898 WO2 RJ Brace

32 DISTRIBUTION OF WARRANT OFFICERS

HONOURS AND AWARDS 2016


COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIREMajor General RH Talbot-Rice

MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIREMajor K Dawson

NATIONAL DE LA LEGION D’HONNEUR Alfred Hunt

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL25018575 WO2 SA O’Brien RQMS RHQ

25102725 WO2 D Cope CSM No 2 Company

25111462 Sgt Buller G1098 Stores

25127109 Sgt AP Mercer Regimental Band

25067668 LSgt Stevens RD Staff

25135065 LSgt Morgan Welfare NCO

25135135 LSgt Williams Accomodation NCO

25136042 LSgt Barnes Ammo NCO

HONOURS AND AWARDS 33

BATTALION TRAINING


34 BATTALION TRAINING

This rotation was to see tworelatively unusual occurrences.Firstly, the exercising BattleGroup was 1st Battalion TheRoyal Gurkha Rifles, deployingfrom Brunei. Secondly, all threeelements of the newlyestablished Welsh Combat

Contemporary OperatingEnvironment Force - ExerciseASKARI STORM 2/16Major E S MathiesonOfficer Commanding Number Two Company

1st Battalion Welsh Guards completed the latest roundof State Ceremonial and Public Duties in January 2016

and moved from London District to 11 Brigade. Shortlyafterwards, Number Two Company took part in ExerciseASKARI STORM 2/16.

fraternity were represented.Number Two Company playedthe Contemporary OperatingEnvironment Force (theenemy), B (Rorke's Drift)Company, 1st Battalion TheRoyal Welsh provided theGurkhas' third rifle company

and 1st The Queen's DragoonGuards provided a platoon forforce protection.

With the Battalion having beenthrough ASKARI STORM in late2014 and some members ofthe Company returning toKenya for their third or fourthtime, all ranks relished theopportunity to approach theexercise from the other side.We felt that Shannon's Maxim("the enemy knows thesystem") would be both anadvantage and disadvantage.Understanding British militarydoctrine, tactics, techniquesand procedures would allowus to anticipate the Gurkhas'action. However, it would alsopotentially make uscomplacent and stop us fromtruly exploiting the freedomwe were afforded as the SortuPeoples' Army. We, as Sortu(Ethiopia) soldiers, had invadedJela (Kenya) and were tasked to

drive out the British Army(Gurkhas and the remainder ofa notional 11 Brigade), theAfrican Union and anyone elsewho stood in our way.

Before that began we had theopportunity to conduct a weekof bespoke company trainingin the splendour of Ol Maisor,where we were hosted by thelocal landowner. Deployingwith fifty-six members ofNumber Two Company andthirty-one from the rest of theBattalion, this week allowed usto consolidate the basicsbefore we were at the disposalof the British Army TrainingUnit Kenya.

Most days we were also treated to ourpersonal safari as Africa's finest

paraded past our harbour and ranges.

1. The Company Group arrives inKifaru Barracks, Nairobi as it transitions to the exercise.

2. Acclimatisation training in the early morning with the Gurkhas.

3. Live firing on Ol Maisor.

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1. Rehearsals before a company attack.

2. Learning to use the simulated large calibre fire support weapon systems.

3. A group receives kayak instruction at Savage Wilderness.

4. The Company’s accommodation in Camp TWIGA, Archer’s Post.

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Most days we were alsotreated to our personal safarias Africa's finest paraded pastour harbour and ranges. Theweek finished with live closequarter battle shooting bynight and a beer in the field tocelebrate Saint David's Day.This important date alsobrought good news for LanceCorporals Davies 35, Davies 89(Support Company attached)and Williams 43 who allpromoted to Lance Sergeant.

After two administration daysin Laikipia Air Base (East), oneof which was used for anEquipment Care Inspection, theCompany moved to ArchersPost. This week was a three-way rotation for the BattleGroup with companies movingbetween live firing, defenceand an enabling phase. Thelatter two were ourresponsibility and we enjoyedfull battle procedure to giveorders, war-game andrehearse each phase.Combining conventionaldoctrine with insurgent andhuman-wave tactics, wesought to fully exploit gaps inthe Gurkhas' formations. Thesecond and third companyattacks saw us breach theobjective and destroy theircommand

The final exercise was held onLolldaiga and allowed us,again, freedom to roam withminimal constraints. Thisallowed the JuniorCommanders the opportunityto test their assumptions aboutwhat works best and adaptwhat they had learnt at Brecon.Highlights of the weekincluded killing theCommanding Officer duringthe Battle Group attack (with adirect hit from a GeneralPurpose Machine Gun) anddisrupting the final obstaclecrossing three hours before H-

Hour by using the CompanySecond in Command, ourvehicle mechanic and somesignallers as a rogue team intwo Hiluxs behind enemy lines.

Once all the excitement wasover and the kit had beenhanded in we enjoyed fivedays adventure training atSavage Wilderness. Thisallowed controlled andsupervised fun as a suitableclosure to our time in Kenya.

Three lessons stand out fromour time as enemy. Firstly,sometimes seemingly randomcourses of action work out andpay off. Sensibly adapting whatis taught in training can bevery productive. Specifically,we experimented extensivelywith task organisations tocreate mobile manoeuvregroups, multiple fire supportgroups and exploited vehiclesmuch more than normal.Secondly, owning the night iscrucial. We were limited to onehandheld night vision deviceper fire team and felt theconstraint. Movement in thedark was laborious, oftenpainful and the element ofsurprise was much harder toachieve. Finally, indirect fire is asignificant force multiplier. Thisis often overlooked in trainingbut the exercise forced us touse the mortar fire controllersextensively. Most of thecasualties we inflicted were theresult of accurate andsustained mortaring by aknowledgeable controller whoruthlessly pursued the Gurkhaswherever they moved.

Our time in Kenya wasinteresting, productive andrefreshing following PublicDuties. At the time of writing,elements of the Battalion havereturned to Kenya to support1st Battalion Grenadier Guardsand will hopefully find ourexperience useful.

1. The view from one ofLance Sergeant Hughes 34’s observation post.

2. Number Two Company Group at the end of the exercise – Gatooma, Lolldaiga.

3. Lieutenant Colonel J Davies MBE, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles receives a Centenary Leek at the end of the exercise.

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After this I found myself satbehind a desk in HeadquartersBritish Army Training UnitKenya as SO3 J3/5. Havingspent six weeks chargingaround the savanna withNumber Two Company andmenacing the Gurkhas I wasthrown into a world of staff

From Platoon Commanderto Staff OfficerBy Lieutenant T R Campbell-Schofield Officer Commanding Number Four Platoon/ CompanySecond in Command, Number Two Company, 1st BattalionWelsh Guards and SO3 J3/5 British Army Training Unit Kenya

Having only completed the Platoon Commanders’Battle Couse in May 2015 I imagined I would not be in

a staff job until considerably later in my military career.However, in February of this year I was sent to Kenya as aContemporary Operating Environment Force PlatoonCommander to assist 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha RiflesBattlegroup.

work, security meetings anddefence writing! In this article Ihope to explain the differencesand challenges of staff workcompared to those of platooncommand.

British Army Training UnitKenya Headquarters has awhole host of staff positions

with various mindbogglingabbreviations from SO3 J1 JHF(K) to SO2 G7 OS. My job as SO3J3/5 can simply be explainedas staff captain responsible forplanning and operations. Inroles and responsibility it couldloosely be compared to theOperations Officer in aninfantry battalion. The mainareas I was responsible forincluded security (workingwith the force protection andlocal security), writingstanding orders, integration ofnew staff and the reporting ofincidents.

The biggest differencebetween being a PlatoonCommander and a Staff Officeris not commandingGuardsmen. As a PlatoonCommander I had around 24Guardsmen to work with on adaily basis. This includedeverything from physicaltraining, discipline, welfare,reporting and training when incamp. When on exercise, it wasto manoeuvre, position anddictate the tactics of theplatoon. As SO3 J3/5 there isno such responsibility. This isprobably the part of platooncommand I have missed themost. Another big differenceincluded the large amount ofdefence writing staff jobsrequire. Prior to working inKenya, I think I had looked atJoint Service Publication 101(Defence Writing) only ahandful of times and thought itwas the preserve of Majors andabove. In the three months Ispent as a Staff Officer I foundmyself using it every day. Suchwork is not exciting and isoften time consuming andlaborious. However, it has

proved an invaluableexperience and excellentpreparation for future coursesand jobs.

The challenges faced by a StaffOfficer are very different tothose of a Platoon Commander.For example, on exercise thePlatoon Commander maybattle with cold, fatigue andhunger yet still have to planand execute a complex platoonmanoeuvre. A staff job lacksthe physical privations but theorganisational and co-ordination challenges areequally testing. One of my firstjobs was to organise the arrivaland reception, staging andonwards integration for agroup of 42 incoming stafffrom the United Kingdom. Thisrequired the arrangement oftransport, accommodation,security, feeding and briefingfor the group over a 3 dayperiod. It covered moving fromNanyuki (BATUK HQ) innorthern Kenya to Nairobi,collecting the incoming staff,conducting the briefings inNairobi and then returning toNanyuki for further instructionand job handovers. Such anevent had many moving partsand involved personnel fromalmost every department inBATUK. Matters were mademore difficult by the fact manystaff members were on post-exercise leave when I beganplanning this. It was arewarding event to run andmade me aware that when itcomes to staff work, the devilreally is in the detail and thatwhile it is good to trust, it isbetter to check. One of theadvantages of doing a staff jobat such an early stage was the



exposure it gave me to higherlevel planning andorganisation. Prior to this theonly meeting I had everattended was a company levelconference. As SO3 J3/5 Ifound myself in BATUKconferences at least twice aweek being asked questionson security by the Commander.As a Platoon Commander, Ithought very little aboutanything outside of mycompany but now I have agreater awareness of the innerworkings of a unitheadquarters.

Work ranged from themundane to the bizarre. Atreasonably short notice it wasannounced members ofSaracens Rugby Club werecoming to climb Mount Kenyaand wanted to play a game oftouch rugby with BATUK. Aftera frantic few days of

organising, a venue was set,teams gathered and transportsorted. Four teams fromBATUK, 25 Flight Army AirCorps, the Royal Engineers anda local team from the NanyukiJackals Rugby Club took part ina touch sevens tournament onthe Ol Pejeta WildlifeConservancy. To play rugby toa backdrop of Mount Kenyawith Zebras grazing by thepitch was an incredibleexperience and the Saracensteam were very friendly andgreat sportsmen. It wascertainly not the kind of thing Ithought I would end uporganising but definitelynothing to complain about!

To conclude, being a StaffOfficer lacks the fun and thrillsof being a PlatoonCommander. It was certainlyfrustrating to be bound to adesk for three months with no

troops to command or workwith. However, for my broadereducation as an Officer itproved invaluable especially,exposure to the writing andproduction of staff work. It isclear that this sets the

conditions for success in manycomplex events or operationsand should hold me goodstead for my next job asCompany Second in Command,Number Two Company inSeptember.

Joint BATUK, Saracens and Nanyuki Jackals rugby on Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy.



Amongst those taking partwere members from Slovenia,Croatia, Macedonia, Hungary,the United States and of coursethe UK. The Welsh Guardsdeployed as a LightMechanised Infantry BattleGroup Headquarters completewith attachments as well asproviding a number of peopleto use the computer systems toact as the troops on the ground(LOCONs).

The journey was a long one,although Google mapssuggested it would take only14 hours to arrive, the realitywas 27 hours on a coach, soone can imagine the relief thatwas felt upon arrival. The campwas basic and with themajority in 16 man rooms,space was tight. Suffice to saythe Officers’ room soon turnedinto an actual Mess! The firstfew days were filled withfamiliarisation and learning,most notably on the computersystems we would be using asthey were very different fromthe ComBAT terminals we areused to using as aheadquarters. Thankfully, thefirst Sunday was freed up for aday of exploration and culturallearning. We first visited ThePark of Military History at Pivka

Exercise ImmediateResponse 2016

During September, the Battalion was fortunate toparticipate in a two week long joint NATO exercise

which was designed to help cohesion between itsmember forces, show that we are willing to commit andparticipate to aid other members and also as a show offorce to prove that NATO can work and co-operateeffectively as a multinational force.

which had a vast collection ofvehicles and weaponry from1939 through to the moremodern systems used in theSlovenian War ofIndependence. We were veryably guided around by a localhistorian, who was fluent inEnglish and who gave a very indepth and eye opening tour onan area that few of us knewmuch about. The museumitself is set in an old barracksand was the launch point forthe spearhead of Yugoslaviantanks during the War ofIndependence in 1991.

Now for the main event. Wethen took part in three days ofour own integral training withplanning processes as well asallowing the LOCONs topractice certain manoeuvres.Once content, the initialplanning process started priorto D-Day for the initial brigadeoperation, holding ground in adefensive position. This was agreat test for us in hard terrainand really made the planningteams consider the capabilitiesof the vehicle platforms thatwe are now operating in. Wewere eventually set andconfident that our plan wouldhold back the enemy(Bothnian) forces that were

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moving south to our location.Unfortunately it soon becameclear that the brigade plan wasa little risky, especially with alack of reserve and as wewatched the digital map on thescreen in the tent rapidly turnred with vast enemy forcespopping up all over the areawe knew we were in for a goodscrap. The Prince of Wales’sCompany was heavily reducedby indirect fires early on in thebattle, which left a large gap inthe plan for the enemy forcesto utilise. We were graduallyworn down to a combateffectiveness of around 25 percent. Initially we licked ourwounds and were trying tofigure out how we could havedone better, only to be thengiven the after action review(AAR) to realise that everyother country’s forces hadbeen destroyed entirelyleaving a pocket of 1WG tohold the entire Brigadedefensive line. The computersystems were all paused at1700 hours, which made for avery civilised war that gave ustime to partake in some PTprior to supper. This wasalways a welcome change ofpace and for the most part wemade do with the facilities andconducted standard circuitsand sprint sessions to keepticking over. It was onlytowards the end of the trip thatPT was spiced up by a yogasession given by the BattalionSecond in Command. Initiallywe all thought it was a slacksession to relax, we were verywrong! Many undignifiedposes were struck and the painand inflexibility were a wonderto behold.

It was after this first action thatwe realised the constraintsagainst us in terms of thetechnology the LOCONs wereusing. The enemy forces couldmove at the same speed invehicles through woodblocksas they could on roads and acombination of this and othertechnical difficulties made theactual fighting of the battle forthe LOCONs an incrediblychallenging task. However weovercame the technical hurdlesand re-cocked in preparationfor the next phase.

1. The Slovenian tent. 2. Setting up 1 WG BG Headquarters with theSlovenian tent, which was like the Taj Mahal in comparison.

3. Listening in to the brief at Pivka Military Park

4. Sgt Hemmings (Int Sgt) trying to pass off as Slovenian Special Forces in the Museum shop.

5. Capt Smith (Mor PI Comd), Capt Marsden (Adjt), Major Smith (Bn 2IC) and Major Pridmore (OC HQ Coy) in the caves. Major Pridmore was mistaken for a Stalagmite a few times.

6. A group of the Battalion’s officers (left) in awe of the Postojna caves during the underground train journey

7. The Battalions Second in Command showing us a true ‘Warrior’ pose.

8. The CO explaining the control measures to be used on the final advance. ‘If in doubt, go this way...’

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The second phase was anadvance by the brigade tosecure crossings over a rivernear a large city in order toestablish a foothold fromwhich to launch onto theenemy who had consolidatedto our north. We were to be thebrigade reserve for the initialmoves and then launch intothe heart of the enemy positionafter completing a forwardpassage of lines (FPOL) withthe Slovenian and Croatianforces. Finally the orders camethrough and after our secondlong planning cycle we had aplan set for the advance andwere getting into the finerdetails much more efficiently.The next day we werelaunched but due to us beingthe reserve we had a slow startto the battle. However afterthe American battalionsecured the crossing pointsand the Slovenian and Croatianforces had suffered high levelsof attrition, the Welsh Guardsmoved up to strike the finalblow. We systematicallycleared our area of operations(AO) although we struggledwith support from brigadewith their reconnaissanceassets and artillery as most ofthem had been destroyedprior to our launch. Equally arumour had been passedaround that the end of theexercise was nigh, and we haddetermined that our final H-Hour would be at midday onthe final day of simulation. At11:48 hours we noticed thatmost of the other forces werebeginning to leave the brigadechat net we were using tocommunicate to each other, aswell as receiving messagessaying “Great to work with youall!!! ☺” the smiley face is not anexaggeration. So our final pushlacked certain integral brigadeassets, however soon after theexercise was brought to a haltand only the Welsh Guards

remained at a good combateffectiveness and ready tocarry on with the battle.

Exercise Immediate Responsewas a great opportunity for theBattalion Headquarters topractice our planningprocesses and was our firstopportunity as a newheadquarters to practiceconcurrent planning andexecution of operations.

It allowed us to see areaswhere we needed to improveand also helped us to establishoperating procedures forcertain tasks that we will nodoubt encounter in the future.It was a great experience towork with other memberforces of NATO and to see howeach other works and I knowall participants took a lot fromthe exercise. Although therewere frictions with technologyand ways of working, it was agreat opportunity to work as amultinational force and see thebenefits and constraints thatworking under a headquartersfrom a different countryproduces.

1. Capt Young (Ops Officer) being very enthusiastic about the exercise.

2. The Battalion Second in Command explaining the planning process to the Slovakian and Macedonian Battlegroup.

3. The Commanding Officer briefing Col Wickham (DCOS 34th (US)) Inf Division during the exercise.

4. The two sides to the Welsh character clearly demonstratedduring a lull in the battle. WO2 Lawman (CSM No 3 Coy and ISTAR WO - seated),pointlessly optimistic about our chances without any form of ISTAR and CSgt Derren (CQMS HQ Coy - standing) in abject misery when he considers how to clear up the brew area on ENDEX.



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WELSH GUARDS MORTARPLATOON – CADRE 2016Capt AJN SmithOfficer Commanding Mortar PlatoonSupport Company

This year has seen the Welsh Guards Mortar Platoonannual Cadre split into two parts, the light-role

training and live firing, followed by another two-weekvehicle conversion and training package, as the Platoongained its new vehicle platform.



This year has seen the WelshGuards Mortar Platoon annualCadre split into two parts, thelight-role training and livefiring, followed by anothertwo-week vehicle conversionand training package, as thePlatoon gained its new vehicleplatform.

For the first three weeks of theCadre, the Platoon, including12 fresh-faced new mortar-men, the new PlatoonCommander, Capt Smith, andthe new 2IC, CSgt Young,deployed to Westdown Campon Salisbury Plain. The largenumber of new membersmeant that, for the first time ina few years, the Platoon was atfull strength when it arrived inWestdown Camp. The first tendays were fast-paced andcrammed full, with the NCOs

taking the lead on ensuringthat the experienced mortar-men had their knowledgerefreshed, as well as makingsure the new Gdsm gained theknowledge required in orderthat they could pass their WHTon the 81mm Mortar for thefirst time. With the successfulcompletion of these lessonsand the twice-daily PT sessions(which included a 5-mile heavycarry - something of a shock tothe system of the new Gdsm),the Platoon pushed out ontothe Plain to conduct a 48-hourdry exercise to test thePlatoons' skills.

After a one-day weekend(Saturday only), the Platoonconducted its battleprep inreadiness for a deploymentduring the hours of darknesson the Sunday for a week-long

tactical live-firing package. ThePlatoon embraced thechallenge and worked hard toprove themselves with the twomortar Sections occupyingMortar Lines and Harbourareas under cover of darknesseach night. The end of theweek saw the Platoon,including all the new mortar-men, complete its ACMT andset itself up ready for the yearahead, as the Battalionprepares itself for readiness inthe new year.

During the second part of theCadre, the Platoon's challengewas to get to grips with its newvehicle platform, the Husky.This is a large beast, but iscurrently without doctrine as tohow it is to be employed. Thishas given the Platoon freedomto experiment in ideas for itsemployment and how it can beused to best effect. Adeployment into the DeepcutDriver Training Area enabled acertain amount of ‘bedding-in'with the Husky and anopportunity to learn how best

to utilise it. During the two-week package, the Platoon wasalso able to work-out how bestto pack the Husky and to liveout of it, as it lacks the trailerspace of the Landrover.Looking forward to Ex WESSEXSTORM there is still plenty ofwork to do in the New Year andundoubtedly the Platoon willcontinue to find new ways toutilise the new vehicle.

The Platoon is currently in astrong position as it lookstowards next year, with Gdsm,both experienced and new,being confident in their roleand embracing the newchallenges which face them.

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1. Sgt Thomas and his section ready to step off on the Heavy Carry Tab.

2. Gdsm Weaver practising low level night drills out of the Huskey.

46 BATTALION SPORTS

During the off season the clubsaw a restructuring and theestablishment of a committeekindly headed up by GeneralSir Redmond Watt as President,Major General Robert Talbot-Rice CBE as Chairman andLieutenant Colonel Henry

Llewelyn-Usher as Secretary.This has allowed advice andsupport to be provided andformalised the club's presence.

The focus for the season wastwofold: to build on theamount of players involved,

particularly amongst the non-commissioned ranks, and tostart to routinely win divisionsat tournaments. With that inmind, the Battalion’s sports fairprovided some new blood and,despite a very busy Battalionforecast, Colour Sergeant PhilDerren and two Guardsmenwent to Tidworth Polo Club fora polo course. The club gainedsome highly enthused newplayers who were capable ofbeing competitive in the lowerdivisions of militarytournaments and, over thecourse of the season, thedevelopment of CSgt Derren inparticular was excellent. Thefirst tournament; the RoyalArtillery Cup, saw us enter an'A' side and a 'B' side for thefirst time. A solid first run outsaw the 'A' side come awaywith a second place to a strongHAC side. The 'B' side sawGuardsman Bamidele Adekoya

make his debut in a combinedside and, whilst they weresquarely beaten, theenthusiasm remained un-tempered.

The next tournament wasCaptains vs Subalterns, playedover a fine summer weekend,somewhat defined by CaptainJosh Webster dismountingwithout permission in the firstchukka and spending theremainder of the tournamentin Southampton hospital.Fortunately his pride was themain casualty and CSgt Derrenanswered the call to play theremainder of the tournamentin his stead, with the WelshGuards winning in one of themost major tournaments in themilitary calendar.

The AGC Cup and exhibitionmatch at Guards Polo Clubwere spread over the week ofthe August bank holiday. The

BATTALION SPORTS


WELSH GUARDS POLOby Capt J P Marsden (Adjutant)

Welsh Guards polo has gone from strength tostrength over recent years and has now established

a core of dedicated players who are playing regularlyover the summer in all major military tournaments. MajorChris Davies handed over the captaincy to Captain JamesMarsden for the 2016/17 season with the club in goodshape.

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Captain Josh Webster dismounting withoutpermission in the first chukka and spending

the remainder of the tournament inSouthampton hospital.

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE BATTALION SPORTS

BATTALION SPORTS 47

AGC Cup saw the Welsh Guardscome off the boil losing in thefinal to a reinforced AGC teamthat we had soundly beatenearlier in the season at the RAcup. However, the lossgalvanised the team headinginto what is always a verytough and competitive matchagainst the Household Cavalryat Guards. While for the firsthalf we held our own, qualityand riding experience showedthrough and in the second halfthe Household Cavalry weretoo strong, particularly in theride-offs, and played to theirhandicap.

The final tournament was theHonourable ArtilleryCompany's 105 Tournamentheld at Ham Polo Club whichthe club was incrediblyprivileged to receive aninvitation to during the season.With a Battalion deployment toSlovenia we had to field a teamthat had not had anopportunity to gel. Headed upby Lt Col Llewelyn-Usher withCaptain Alex Major and MajorChris Fenton the Welsh Guardstriumphed taking home the105mm shell as the club's firstmajor trophy and capping off amixed but excellent season forWelsh Guards polo.

The perennial problem withpolo is finance. Final thanksmust therefore go to those thatenable the club to flourish.Through a combination of thegenerosity of the RegimentalTrustees, Battalion support, theArmy Polo Association throughLt Col Simon Ledger, theHousehold Division andsignificant personalcontributions we havemanaged to maintain andgrow the famous green andwhite renaissance on the polopitch.

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1. The Welsh Guards ‘A’ Team. From l to r: The author, Capt Major,Lt Col L-U, CSgt Derren.

2. The composite Welsh Guards ‘B’ Team. From l to r: Gdsm Adekoya, an RA offr,CSgt Derren and another RA offr.

3. Capt Webster after his dismount without permission.Not smiling but screaming...

48 BATTALION SPORTS

BATTALION SPORTS WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

WELSH GUARDS BOXINGCaptain Milton Butler

‘Winning is much sweeter when you’re the underdogs.’

the potential; who would beprepared to sacrifice theirspare time and be willing tocommit themselves fullytowards the journey ahead. Itwas important for all involvedto find the balance betweentraining and the Bn Conversionto Lt Mech Inf.

Once we had identified theteam that would go forward,the intensity of trainingincreased and we utilised allour expertise and resources toensure we had the winningformula. From the start theWelsh Guards were very muchseen as the underdogs asother regiments from acrossthe division, more accustomedto boxing, fancied theirchances of winning and madetheir intentions very clear,some more than others.

There was plenty more to doother than training. The team’s

We focused on keeping ourtraining sessions busy onTuesday and Thursdayevenings, as well as sportsafternoon on a Wednesday.This encouraged manynewcomers to the sport; someof whom enjoyed the fitnessand others keen to compete.Welsh Guards Boxing wasgrowing and we neededsomething big to channel allthat enthusiasm towards.

HOUSEHOLD DIVISION BOXINGCOMPETITION 2016

The aspiration was for theWelsh Guards to host a

Household DivisionCompetition in April 2016. Thiswould give all 7 Regiments theopportunity to come togetherin a very different environmentother than on Horse Guards onthe Queen’s Birthday Paradeand do battle against oneanother.

The proposal was accepted bythe Major GeneralCommanding the HouseholdDivision and immediately wegot to work. We continuedwith our evening trainingsessions and used this as away of identifying those with

After a very successful and exciting Inter CompanyCompetition, there was huge appetite for more

boxing within the Battalion.

Household Division Champions 2016 Wining Team.

IC of administration, LSgtLucas, had a long list of tasks tobe completed in a short time;designing and ordering thetracksuits, competition strip,vests, Household Division beltsand trophies, to name but afew. In all of the above heexceeded expectations.Training was gathering


BATTALION SPORTS 49

LCpl Moriarty was adamant not to miss out and started his training whilst out in Kenya.

momentum and soon camethe launch of the teams thatwould be competing in theHousehold Division BoxingCompetition 2016. GdsmDennis was appointed as TeamCaptain and represented theWelsh Guards at Horse Guardsto the Major General.

THE HARD YARDS

The team was now training 3 -4 times each day, 5 days a

week and using the weekendsas R&R. Each member of theteam still had their share ofduties to fill and used TurnersBoxing Academy in Camberleyas an alternative to avoidmissing out on training. Part ofthe team’s final preparationsincluded sparring against 4Rifles, Engineers, Artillery andthe Army Team. Confidencewas high and all of the hardwork, effort and time put in by

50 BATTALION SPORTS


this seriously”. All briefings,reception of teams andofficials, weigh in and medicalswere completed in aprofessional manner. Theimportant part of the businesswas due to start with Sgt Evans(Moose) who was first to openthe competition. With the gympacked to the rafters full ofnerves and anticipation, weneeded a win; and hedelivered. The remainder

SSgt Rogers and LCpl Ryan wasstarting to pay off.

TIME TO DELIVER

We were now ready for theprelims. SSgt Rogers and hisgym staff got to work onorganising and preparing thegymnasium fit for competition.The final layout was veryimpressive; it was a clearstatement to all who entered,“the Welsh Guards were taking


BATTALION SPORTS 51

followed his lead and eachWelsh Guardsman steppinginto the ring raised the roof.

TEAM FINALISTS

After a successful week ofpreliminary bouts it was clearto all of the other teams andguests that the Welsh Guardswere a class above the rest.RQMS Morgan got to workpreparing the main venue atthe Army Combat Centre. His

keen eye for detail andexperience made sure we hadall areas covered. The finalresult was very befitting for theHousehold Division andexceeded expectation. To addto the excitement of the mainevent; we had 6 Welsh Guardfinalists winning 4 out of the 7bouts.

52 BATTALION SPORTS


Gdsm Harty – Lightweight Sgt Evans 07 - Light Welterweight LCpl Moriarty - Welterweight

Gdsm Dennis – Middleweight Gdsm Thomas – Light Heavyweight CQMS Derren - Heavyweight


BATTALION SPORTS 53

1. Team Captain with the winners’ cup.

2. Two-time Light Welterweight Champion.1 2

WINNING IN STYLE

Each finalist put in a sterlingperformance anddemonstrated real grit,determination and courage.They showed true fightingspirit and gave every WelshGuardsman a real sense ofpride.

BEDDING-IN

We needed to relocate thegym; a small space in thevehicle sheds was soon madeavailable and work began. Fortwo weeks sleeves were rolledup - clearing rubbish, drillingholes, painting and plenty ofhard labour, long nights and

weekends saw a completetransformation. Once the gymwas completed to a high specand to everyone’s approval, itbecame the home for thenewly formed HouseholdDivision Team who wouldcompete against the ParachuteRegiment.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

A number of achievements andawards have been madethroughout the year. TheMonmouth Branch presentedLCpl Ryan with the SportsPerson of the Year Award. Heattended the annual dinner inthe Angel Hotel in

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Before

During

End result


BATTALION SPORTS 55

1. Past Master Windsor Coles OBE accompanied by Mrs Sue Hewerdine presenting team with their tankards.

2. LCpl Ryan receiving his Sports Person of the Year Award.

3. LCpl Campbell representingthe Household Division against the Parachute Regiment.

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Abergavenny and received theaward for his coaching abilityand success. LCpl Campbelland Gdsm Jones 94 weresuccessful in gaining a place inthe Household Division Teamand were selected to representthe Household Division againstthe Parachute Regiment. TheWorshipful Livery Company ofWales presented each memberof the Welsh Guards team witha tankard in recognition oftheir success in the HouseholdDivision Competition and gavethe team a cheque for £1000.This kind donation will helpthe team visit professionalWelsh clubs and boxers, andhelp to purchase kit andequipment needed to improvethe quality of training.

THE FUTURE

Welsh Guards Boxing hasmade its mark and continues

to grow. There is a real buzz inthe gym during each sportsafternoon and on Tue and Wedevenings. The door is alwaysopen to anyone keen to learn anew skill, socialise and get fit,or wanting to compete. Onlythree rules apply when youenter the gym; respect eachother, work hard, and enjoywhat you’re doing. We will lookto enter a team into the 2017Household DivisionChampionships. Theanticipated Inter Company’s ispromised to be much bigger

56 BATTALION SPORTS


and much more competitivethan ever before.

GOAL FOR 2017

Our main goal for 2017 is tobuild and develop a team fullof new talent; capable ofcompeting against the bestthere is by entering the ArmyChampionships and winning.

"Cymru am Byth"


BATTALION SPORTS 57

WELSH GUARDS ENDURO TEAMCSgt Hughes 39

This year has been somewhatdisjointed with CSgt Hughesposted to ASLS and Sgt Simonsposted to HDPRCC, this hascreated some issues in trainingtogether but hasn’t stoppedthe team progressing on toachieve great things.

This year has been somewhat disjointed with CSgtHughes posted to ASLS and Sgt Simons posted to

HDPRCC, this has created some issues in training togetherbut hasn’t stopped the team progressing on to achievegreat things.

The team entered the BritishEnduro Championship seriesthis year, a series of two dayevents around the UK testingriders from all abilities bymeans of a time card enduro.These events are popular andthe Welsh Guards paddock

always attracts a mixed bag ofguests. As a team we are thefirst team in the Infantry tocompete at this level.

Midyear the team entered theWelsh International 3 DayEnduro, this is part of ourannually calendar and anauthorised event under thebanner of the Army SportsControl Board. The event, heldin mid Wales, attracts ridersfrom all over the world. Twodays in the Welsh hills riding150 miles a day, on a time cardbrings varied challenges,however the team are alwayshappy to be riding andrepresenting on home soil.

During the summer theBattalion also requested weprovided a display for thefamilies day at ElizabethBarracks, as we aren’t a displayteam and don’t normallyprovide displays the team setabout setting up a small loopwhich included some logjumps, tyres and a chicanethrough trees. The display waswell received and ridersenjoyed showing their talent tothe home crowd.

The team still adds to theretention and recruitmenteffort with bikes often beingused by the RegimentalRecruiting Team in South

CSgt Hughes at Lee Walters Off Road Training School.

Wales, this helps attract youngmen as the sport is verypopular in wales. We also havesome new riders joining usnext season. One of which is aJunior Soldier at the ArmyFoundation College Harrogate.He initially joined the army as aFusilier, however decided hewished to leave due to missingthe sport so much, luckily wehave some friendly forces inHarrogate who got him intouch with the team and wemanaged to get him capbadged and is now a WelshGuardsman. We also havemore interest from Battalionand look forward towelcoming and supportingnew riders.

The Welsh Guards EnduroTeam has taken the forefront insetting up the first everInfantry Enduro Team, CSgtHughes was selected asChairman and our riders havereceived Infantry callingnotices to represent theInfantry next season.

During the winter the teamhosted 50 army riders on D1and D2 for Exercise TrainingWheels, this was an armyevent to train riders for theArmy Championships thefollowing weekend. As D1 andD2 are our training areas wewere able to offer greatexperience and knowledge topass onto other riders.

Sgt Simons entered theChampionships and cameaway with the Best InfantryRider award.

Next season will see uscompete at national level againin the British EnduroChampionship and we havealso been tasked to run nextyear’s Army Championshipswhich the team are excitedabout, this will bring great PRto the team and the Regiment.

As ever the team are allgrateful for the support wereceive from the Battalion andthe chain of command, anyoneinterested in supporting orriding events please get intouch with the author.

58 BATTALION SPORTS


1. Sgt Simons NatterjackEnduro 2016.

2. Welsh Guards set up at thepaddocks for the Welsh 3 Day.

3. Sgt Simons and CSgt Hughes’ bikes ready for the Welsh.

4. CSgt Hughes, river crossing, Welsh 3 Day.

5. CSgt Scarf, Welsh 3 Day.6. Team Set up Family day set up.7. CSgt Scarf and Sgt Simons conduct a field repair on Simons’ bike.

The team still adds to the retentionand recruitment effort with bikes often

being used by the RegimentalRecruiting Team in South Wales.

21 3

5 6 7

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BATTALION SPORTS 59

OFFICERS’ MESS SKI TRIP2016Second Lieutenant G F ElletsonOfficer Commanding Number Five Platoon,Number Two Company

From 21 to 25 January 2016 fifteen members of the 1stBattalion Welsh Guards Officers’ Mess, accompanied

by wives and girlfriends enjoyed a long weekend skiing inthe French Alps.

In true Army fashion, our tripstarted with a mini-busjourney. Thankfully it wasn’ttoo far and we set off fromPirbright for Luton airport, withour ultimate destination beingMorzine, a lovely town in theheart of the Portes du Soleilregion of the French Alps.

Once we arrived in Morzine,we were joined by theRegimental Lieutenant Colonel(Major General Stanford MBE)and his wife Fiona.

It was too late for skiing on thefirst night so we consoledourselves with a delicioussupper in our chalet and then

headed out into the town tosee what it had to offer. Asexpected, we found it to be afun town with plenty of après-ski bars.

Our evening of leisure didn’tstop us being out on the slopesearly the next morning to findthat we had been incrediblylucky with the snow. It hadbeen dumping all week andhad cleared up as we hadarrived. The next few daysfollowed a pattern of greatskiing, nice lunches and acouple of glasses of mulledwine or beer before supperthen back out in to Morzine forthose with any energy left oroff to bed for those feeling it inthe knees a little bit.

1. The Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Officers, wives and girlfriends above Les Gets with Mont Blanc behind.

2. Second Lieutenant Elletson, Lieutenant McNeill Love, Second Lieutenant Lewis, Lieutenants Evans and Campbell-Schofield and SecondLieutenant Ross enjoying the slopes.

We were lucky with the snow

the whole weekend and were

able to ski until darkness on

most evenings. By the last day

everyone was able to ski

together with those starting

with less experience at the

beginning having improved

greatly due to the favourable

conditions.

In all it was a great trip and

one which we hope to make an

annual occasion. It was not

just good for the officers

involved but also for the wives

and girlfriends as it helped to

enhance the family feel which

the Welsh Guards Officers'

Mess is so proud of.

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MONT VENTOUX CYCLINGTRIP 2016Lieutenant Colonel DR Evans MBE

On the 25th May 2014 Ben Parry cycled to the top ofMont Ventoux in the south of France. At 1,912m high

it is considered the hardest of all the mythical Tour deFrance climbs and rightly so.

At the time, he was probablyonly functioning on one lung.This is a serious climb andBen’s achievement was anexample of his tenaciousdetermination. Sadly, as we allknow Ben’s long battle withcancer ended in December2015.

To celebrate Ben’sachievement, in June this year I(Ray Evans 87) decided to go toMont Ventoux and follow inBen’s pedal steps, cycling fromSault to the summit and againfrom Bedoin to the top thefollowing day. On both

occasions, I was wearing Ben’scycling top.

Both routes join at ChaletReynard with 6 km remainingto the top. The last 6km is byfar the toughest part of theclimb. I found it hard goingwith two lungs functioninghow Ben reached the last 6kmon only one lung is simplyquite remarkable!

On the second day, in Ben’smemory I placed a WelshGuards badge given by Evans24 on the Tom SimpsonMemorial and reflected onBen’s great achievement.

EXERCISE WELSH PYRENEANBULL 16WO2 (SQMS) M Harriman AGC(SPS) (RegimentalAdministrative Warrant Officer)

Participants:

WO2 Harriman OIC Ex – AGC (SPS)Sgt Green WGSgt Bennett WGLSgt Deeks WGLSgt Morgan WGLSgt Williams AGC (SPS)Gdsm Garvey WGPte Hannah RLC

The aim of Exercise Welsh Pyrenean Bull was to cyclefrom the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterranean Coast in

4.5 days along the arduous Pyrenean Route and whilstdoing so climbing some of the famous climbs of the Tourde France.

On Sunday the 21st August, weall returned early fromSummer Leave to embark on aroad trip from ElizabethBarracks Pirbright to Hendayeon the West Coast of the Southof France via an overnightFerry Journey from Portsmouthto Caen. After all the personalcontribution was collected, thekit and bikes were loaded ontothe transport. After muchdeliberation of which bikeswere going on what vehicleand who was travelling withwhom, we set off on our way.The journey was long withvarious stops to ensure theguys were fed and legs werestretched. We finally arrived inour start location in Hendayeafter an 11 hour drive in France.Priority one was roomallocation, followed closely byfood! This was to become aconstant routine for the next 5days. The food was sorted, so itwas time to ensure are bikeswere ready and fit for purposefor the next day’s cycling. Itonly seemed prevalent to takea short ride down to the sea toconduct the mandatory tyredip and view the sights.

Tuesday 22nd August – TheFirst Day Cycling from Hendayeto Oloran St Marie a mere 80miles. The first shock of the daythough was after about 500m,out of the hotel, turn right andthen suddenly, a cheeky 1.5mile climb at 10% without thelegs not even warmed up. Thebanter had already started,with the guys realising what adifficult journey they wereabout to embark on.Throughout the first few hours,routines were set, with smallgroups being createddepending on ability andnatural speed. Quite clear wasSgt Green and LSgt Deeks hadaspirations of leading for theduration, with the slightlylarger framed guys taking upthe rear. After variousrefreshment stops along routeand a few bike adjustments wefinally got to our first overnightstop in Oloran St Marie at

1. The start at Hendaye on the Atlantic Coast.

2. Sgt Green, LSgt Deeks, Sgt Bennett and LSgt Williams at the top of Col De Peyresour.

3. Sir, my feet don’t reach the pedals. LSgt Deeks at the Top of Tourmalet.


BATTALION SPORTS 61

about 1700 hrs. Back toroutine, room allocation andfood time. But this time theteam knew who were thesnorers amongst the groupand were keen to avoid them.Open choice for food after thefirst night of cycling wasMacDonald’s for 7 of the 8. LSgtWilliams had other aspirationsand it was Pizza for him on hisJack Jones. Then, before weknew it, it was bed time.

Wednesday 24th August. Day 2of Cycling from Oloran St Marieto Bagneres De Bigorre. Thefirst day with big climbs, testsof stamina and will power.After a small breakfast, a bikerepair and a short vehicle rideto the start point, it was timefor a 10km warm up before theascent of the first major climb;the Col de Aubisque at 1709 mand 12% ascents. The groupshortly split after the start ofthe major ascent with MessrsGreen and Deeks out in front,with the remainder climbing ata steady pace within theircapability. After a number of

stops along the route forenergy gels and more water, itwas time for a short descentbefore the next climb, the Colde Soulor, a rest then the hugedescent to that start of thefamous Tourmalet. It was a2115 m climb to the Col,following the path of some ofthe great of the Tour de France.It was 18km of grinding,standing on the pedals, shirtsopen, gasping for air andworking in pairs. The peckingorder was the same, withcourageous efforts by all thecyclists. Lots of photos taken atthe summit, before anothermajor descent to the lovelyovernight location in Bagneresde Bigorre.

Thursday 25th August – Day 3of Cycling from Bagneres DeBigorre to Massat, known asthe longest day and it’s theRAWOs 50th Birthday. Theefforts of the previous daywere showing, with arequirement for steady start towarm up the legs, just in timefor the first major climb, the Col

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d’ Aspin at 1489m, a greateffort by all cycling with allmaking the summit, SgtBennett and LSgt Williamswere now into a daily routineand grinding out the climbs attheir speed, with the frontrunner just requiring water atregular intervals. An enjoyabledownhill will always result inanother climb, after a longundulating section, it was upthe Col de Peyresourde at1586m and Col de Portet dAspet 1069m. The light wasfading and it was only the frontrunners of Sgt Green and LSgtDeek who managed to makethe hotel prior to night fall. SgtBennet, LSgt Williams andGdsm Garvey required a shortlift to get them to the overnighthotel in Massat. Dinner wastaken in the lovely beer gardencelebrating Q Harriman’s 50thBirthday. Situation and a slightstomach rumble resulted in noalcohol being consumed.

Friday 26th August – Day 4 ofCycling from Massat to Prades.

The penultimate day of cyclingand only a 100 miler thatencompassed Col de Port 1429,Col de Pailheres 2001m and ColDu Jau 1506m. The team wasinto the daily routine and nowworking as a group or splittinginto 2-3 smaller groups forprolonged climbs.

Saturday 27th August- Day 5 ofCycling (the Sprint) from Pradesto Canet des Rousillion. The dayeveryone wanted to cycle andhit the Med on a push bike. Amainly downhill route and teamwork resulted in an excellentaverage speed. The end wasnear and the smell of the med, awell-earned beer and a hotelwith swimming pool was near.A great last effort and a slightdetour resulted in the 6 out ofthe 8 members of the teamhitting the med and doing thecompulsory tyre dip. A rushback to the hotel for a relax inthe pool before the nightsfestivities. A few drinks and agrand meal overlooking theMed.

Sunday 28th August – Thereturn trip Canet des Rousillionvia Calais to Elizabeth BarracksPirbight. At the end of everygreat trip, there must be somepunishment, the long drivethrough France to race for theFerry. Great efforts by thedrivers, especially Sgt Morganwho drove for what seemedlike an eternity, meant wefinally got to Calais just afterthe planned time. A quickphone call to the Battalion andP&O, a change of ticket timeand ‘Bob’s your Uncle’ - we areon the Ferry and before weknow it, back in Blighty and onthe way to EBP.

Ex WELSH PYRENEAN BULL(WPB 16) was an arduous CycleTour, that tested the courage,stamina, team work of thecyclists and the robustness ofthe supporting elements,basically cyclists on rest days.The effort by the entireexercising personnel wasfantastic, with all exceedingtheir previous personal bests.

Over 40,000 ft of climbing and400 miles was completed, withthree soldiers completing over400 miles, with 2 completingthe entire distance, all in 4½days. The 2017 Cycle season islooking good for the newlyformed Welsh Guards CyclingClub.

Thank you to the RAWO WO2 MHarriman for organising theexercise and sacrificing his50th Birthday and to theRegimental Trustees forproviding such generousfunding for the trip.

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1. LSgt Williams and Garvey almost reaching the summit of another Col.

2. Yep we were first and wanna look cool. LSgt Deeks and Sgt Green.

1. Tue 23 Aug 16Start from Hotel 4 Hendaye 4 Oloron Ste Marie 160 km, 2200m climbing

2. Wed 24 Aug 16Start from Hotel 4 Oloron Ste Marie 4 Tourmalet 4 Aste = 140 km, 3530 m climbing

3. Thu 25 AugStart from Hotel 4 Aste 4 Porte De Aspet 4Massat = 170 km, 3110m climbing

4. Fri 26 Aug 16Start from Hotel 4Massat 4 Col De Port 4 Prades = 145 km, 3400m climbing

5. Sat 27 Aug 16Start from Hotel 4 Prades 4 Perpignan 4 Cebere or Canet Plage = 98 km, 620m climbing

Total distance 713km, Total climbing 12500m


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64 ADVENTURE TRAINING

ADVENTURE TRAINING


For years I thought horseriding on the Rocky Mountainsin Canada couldn’t be beaten.When asked if I would like togo with the Scots Guards I wasa little apprehensive. Going toanother Battalion with a smallnumber of Welsh GuardsGuardsmen to look after was alittle nerve racking.Furthermore, snow, ice and thecold generally aren’t my typeof thing. Days before the trip anumber of ranks would comeup to me saying how jealousthey were that I was going.They couldn’t stop with all thestories from their trips to theslopes and it made me reallyexcited to go. When arriving atMons Barracks in Aldershot,home of the Scots Guards, Iwas instantly met with a warm

1ST BATTALION SCOTSGUARDS SKI TRIP 15 – 23JANUARY 2016 Lance Sergeant D Hughes 34Section Commander, Number Four Platoon,Number TwoCompany

15 – 23 January 2016, Lance Sergeant Hughes 34took a team of Welsh Guardsmen on a 1st Battalion

Scots Guards ski trip to Val D’Isere. The team consisted ofGuardsmen Evans 35 from The Prince of Wales’s Companyand Guardsmen Adamson, Coombs, Mortlock andRowlands from Number Two Company. This is LanceSergeant Hughes’s account of the week.

Blue Red Blue family welcomewhich eased a lot of thenerves.

Val D’Isere is amazing.Everywhere we went it wascovered in four feet of snowbut it didn’t stop the livelinessof the town as it would do backhome. The town itself frombottom to top has bars left andright of the road as far as theeye could see were shops,selling all sorts of skiequipment and clothing andlarge wooden hotels, whichlook amazing in the snow andwith plenty of atmosphere. Ona clear day you could see thevast mountain range coveringthe small town and ski liftscould be seen for miles.

Within a day of learning we were allgoing down small green slopes and bythe end of the trip red routes wereconsidered easy.

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ADVENTURE TRAINING 65

1. Hitting the slopes.2. As Above.3. The resort by night.4. Lance Sergeant Hughes 34 at the front with Guardsmen Adamson, Mortlock, Rowlands, Evans 35 and Coombs behind.

5. Lance Sergeant Hughes 34 poses before heading downhill.

Myself and a few of theGuardsmen had never skiedbefore, which wasn’t aproblem. The Scots Guards skiinstructors were some of thebest instructors I have workedwith. Within a day of learningwe were all going down smallgreen slopes and by the end ofthe trip red routes wereconsidered easy. Without theteaching and knowledge ofthese instructors, I don’t thinkany of us would have enjoyedthe trip as much. In summary,

this trip was by far the bestadventure training I have donein my Army career and we arevery grateful to the ScotsGuards for inviting us.

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ADVENTURE TRAINING WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

The race regularly attracts over1,700 boats and around 16,000sailors, making it one of thelargest yacht races in the worldand the fourth largestparticipation sporting event inthe UK after the LondonMarathon and the Great Northand South Runs.

Competitors come from allover the UK, other parts ofEurope and as far away as theUSA to follow the 50 nauticalmile course. Starting on thefamous Royal Yacht Squadronline in Cowes, the fleet raceswestabout, to The Needles,round St Catherine's Point andBembridge Ledge buoy andback into the Solent to thefinish line at Cowes.

ROUND THE ISLAND RACE2016Major E S MathiesonOfficer Commanding Number Two Company

The annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round theIsland Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a

one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight.

This year, five members of theOfficers' Mess entered the racein Gladeye, the HouseholdDivision yacht. Majors AldridgeMBE, Figgures-Wilson andMathieson and Captain Majorand Second Lieutenant Elletsongot round in eight hours, forty-one minutes and nineteenseconds.

1. Major Mathieson, Second Lieutenant Elletson, Captain Major and Major Aldridge MBE aboard Gladeye.

2. Lieutenant Elletson and Major Figgures-Wilson getting ready to cross the start.

3. Gladeye passing the Needles.

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ADVENTURE TRAINING 67

ADVENTUROUS TRAINING,BAVARIA, 22-28 AUGUST 20162Lt Lucas Colley 3 R WELSH (Assault Pioneer Platoon Commander)

Members of the Welsh Guards travelled to Bavaria,Germany at the end of August for a multi-activity

Adventure Training package comprising kayaking androck climbing.

Twelve personnel from theBattalion attended, in gloriouslate summer sunshine, forwhat was to be a very excitingweek. The party divided intotwo groups, with each groupdoing two days of one activityand then swapping over.

After a fairly emotional 24 hourminibus journey we arrived atour lodge in the little mountainvillage of Wertach. The first daywas spent drawing equipment,safety briefs and all the usualstuff. After scouting the localarea for a beer later thatevening (ably assisted by SSgtRogers’ fluent German) weturned in, ready for the firstday of activities.

The rock climbing, while notoverly technical, wasconducted on some relativelychallenging faces and resultedin one particular platooncommander folding himselfinto some very unusual shapeswhile trying to get up oneparticular slope! The partyhopped across the border intoAustria to locate the mostsuitable slopes – one of whichoffered a distant view ofNeuschwanstein Castle (as

featured in the film ChittyChitty Bang Bang) from nearthe top. Many of the facesrequired a lot of chalk tomaintain a firm grip and thehand- and foot-holds weren’talways obvious. We wereconsistently put to shame by afew groups of obviouslyexperienced climbers, whoseemed to be able to scale anddescend the faces at anunbelievable pace.Nonetheless, everyone enjoyedthemselves and spirits werehigh. The small group sizes andquality of instruction were ablessing in this respect.

The kayaking was also highlyenjoyable, starting out withone day on a lake to learn thecore skills before building onthem on the second day byfollowing a river for several km.Again, a particular platooncommander did an excellentjob of losing it, trying to paddleupstream and capsizing hiskayak, to much amusement ofthe Guardsmen following up.However, Gdsm Twose didseem to manage to find everysingle prominent rock in theriver, despite there being

several metres of clear openwater to navigate around! Theweather consistently held outfor us all week, with barely asingle cloud in the sky andtemperatures hovering around27 degrees; absolutely perfectconditions for both activities.

The quality of instructors washigh and we had a great day’sR&R on the fifth day,culminating with a night outon the town. Although it was along journey in the minibus out

1. Following Gdsm Twose (Sp Coy)during the first day on the lake.2. LCpl Whiles (Prince of Wales’Company) brings his kayak in atthe end of the river journey on thelast day of training.

and back from ElizabethBarracks, the quality of thetraining provided more thanmade up for it. Overall, the tripwas as advertised; an excellentreward for several members ofthe Battalion for their hardwork over the last year.

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68 REGIMENTAL & BATTALION EVENTS

“Areas” it’s called, a special“black spot” was being held thisparticular morning. All in orderto make sure our camp andespecially our parade squarewas immaculate for our guests.We tormented ourselves withour collective desire forperfection.

Troops flurried in and out of thecookhouse and theiraccommodation blocks,sweeping walkways, picking uplitter, raising flags and parkingFoxhound armoured vehicles indifferent display positions.

ST DAVID’S DAY 2016Capt D Luther-Davies (Reconnaissance Platoon Commander)

St David’s Day 2016 with 1st Bn Welsh Guards started asit always does, with weary Guardsmen wandering

around camp looking at the ground.

Once everything was in place,the Drill Sergeant could beheard shouting out words ofcommand, and as if byaccident, the men marchedimmaculately; the halting ofboots on tarmac was so timelythat the final aggregate drive ofthe Battalion’s heals sent abooming echo across the entirePirbright Garrison.

The sky was clear; it looked as ifit was going to be a nice day. Allthe soldiers disappeared to dontheir Number Two Service Dress.

By about 0830, as the menwere in three ranks ready tostep off to march through thecamp to the Chapel, theheavens opened.

A scurry ensued once again;troops ran to don waterproofsin a hopeless attempt to staydry. They marched off, to theunmistakable high-pitchedscraping sound of LightweightWaterproof Jacket MVP, MTPNSN 8415-99-443-5952; enoughto make any Infantryman’s skincrawl. The forage capsdrenched, the streets ladenwith sodden leaves, presseduniforms soaked, buff beltsgreyed by water, the shiniest ofboots dulled by the rain. All thehours of hard work in the buildup to that morning was undoneby a heavy rain shower.

It didn’t stop the VIPs, theAssociation, cadets and familymembers attending, shakingtheir umbrellas as they enteredPirbright Chapel for the Service.Nor did it stop the heartysinging of Welsh hymns andrenditions by the Battalion’svery own choir.

The Battalion marched back toElizabeth Barracks under thesame torrent, almost a littlelighter, socks squelching by thistime. There, they formed upwith the Association and cadetsfor the parade. LieutenantGeneral James Bashall CBE,Commander Personnel andSupport Command (now HomeCommand as of May 2016) wasthe senior Officer on paradeand presented Officers andWarrant Officers with theirleeks before leeks were givenout to all on parade by theirrespective CompanyCommanders. A proudcollection of guests and familymembers looked on steadfastly

from beneath their umbrellas.

CSgt Stephen O’Brien wasawarded his Long Service andGood Conduct Medal; a dozenLance Corporals werepromoted to Lance Sergeantsand welcomed into their newMess, as were some very goodGuardsmen promoted to LanceCorporal. Of note was the newHonorary Colonel, AlunPetersen, who continued hissupport for the Battalion byjoining the parade in his officialcapacity for the first time andhanded leeks to the cadetcontingents. As always, theAssociation showed a hugeamount of support to the daywith 102 Association memberson parade. Once formalitieswere concluded, Lt. Gen. Bashallreceived the salute for theBattalion march past led by theCommanding Officer.

After the parade, each Mess hadlunch with their guests. Cawl, atraditional Welsh soup ofcheese, lamb, leek and potatoaccompanied by a hearty rollwas served. A band and acomedy show were put on forthe Guardsmen in the DragonClub (All Ranks Bar) later thatevening. The band and comedyclub put on an excellent showentertaining all in attendancecapping off a fine celebration ofthe Welsh Guard’s centenaryyear.

Happy 101st birthday the WelshGuards. Cymru am Byth.

1. The author, with Captain Jeff Jones (Unit Welfare Officer) leading No 3 Coy off parade with Lieutenant General Bashall CBE taking the salute. The Regimental Lieutenant Colonel is next to him on the dais.

2. WO1 (RSM) Dunn adjusts his forage cap having been presented with his leek.

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE REGIMENTAL & BATTALION EVENTS

The latest such visit was on 21April where we were invited toreceive a donation to the WelshGuards Charity for £1,170 (a fewmore hundred was receivedlater). This donation to ourcharity was but one of severalwe have received fromPembroke Council since 2006.

The culmination of this recentfund raising was an abseildown the Castle wallsorganised by Councillor AdenBrinn, himself a former Mayorof the town and the forcebehind this and previous fundraising efforts for the Regiment.Prior to this, the Corps of Drumsmarched through the HighStreet watched by an excellentlocal turnout and dozens ofPembroke school childrenmarched behind waving UnionFlags. The Mayor, CouncillorPauline Waters and the DeputyMayor, Councillor Denise Evans,took the salute from the daisoutside the front of the TownHall. The Corps of Drumsmarched onto the Castle to playappropriate music for theabseilers and the large crowdthat had gathered to watch.The Regimental Support Teamwere also present addingadditional colour and WelshGuards presence as was theRegimental Adjutant whoperhaps thankfully was notasked to take part in theabseiling in his Frock Coat. Notso for two Drummers whorolled up their sleeves andwhizzed down the Castle wall.

The Town Clerk, Mrs SusieThomas, and her small team

PEMBROKE TOWNRALLIES AGAINColonel T C S Bonas

Ever since the Freedom of Pembroke was conferredupon the Regiment in February 2006, our liaison and

links have remained strong and we have been backseveral times since.

produced an excellent lunch forus all and after speeches andthe cheque presentation wedispersed, although the Corpsof Drums returned that eveningto play music for the Council’sAnnual Achiever Awards.

Aside from the once again kinddonation to the WG Charity, ourpresence in Pembroke wasmuch appreciated and thephase “a little goes a long way”certainly applies here. A mostenjoyable day had by all andour bond with Pembroke everstronger.

1. The Mayor Councillor Pauline Waters and Regimental Adjutant Colonel Tom Bonas taking time out to chat with local schools on the walk up to castle.

2. Councillor Pauline Waters and Councillor Aden Brinn andDeputy Mayor Denise Evans presenting the cheque to Colonel Tom Bonas.

3. The Mayor Councillor Pauline Waters and Colonel Tom Bonaswith Welsh Guards Corps of Drums in Pembroke

4. Corps of Drums with CouncillorAden Brinn and team.

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This was the latest in a numberof events supported by theRegiment since the schoolchanged its affiliation from theRifles to the Welsh Guards in2013 and the second biannualinspection we have attended.

On arrival the CommandingOfficer, accompanied by theRegimental Adjutant, inspecteda detachment from the School’sCCF. The boys had clearlyworked hard on their turnoutand drill and, while not quiteQueen’s Guard-ready, theywould rival some Phase 1recruits! A short congratulatoryaddress from the CommandingOfficer saw a break for lunchheld in the School’s Black Room– a venue somewhat familiar toColonel Bonas who, some yearspreviously, had been SchoolCaptain and whose name isimmortalised on the boards inthe entrance hall.

It is rare that the boys and staffat the school get to see orhandle the firepower aninfantry battalion has at itsdisposal and so the afternoon’sactivities were met with greatenthusiasm. As anticipated theheadline items were the GMG,HMG and .338 sniper rifle.

THE ORATORY SCHOOL CCFBIANNUAL INSPECTION 2016Captain James Marsden

After some particularly torrid weather in the run up, theclouds had cleared and on 12 May 16 the Battalion

sent a number of Welsh Guardsmen to The Oratory Schoolto support their CCF Biannual Inspection.

The Javelin was also wellreceived with the Guardsmendelivering expletive-free briefsand spinning dits about theweapon systems to drum upinterest before the cadets wentto the Army Recruiting Team’sinflatable assault course. Ourinvolvement was confined tothe Army detachment of the CCFhowever, as testament to theGuardsmen and theirenthusiasm, cadets from theNavy and RAF sections weresoon seen getting hands on thekit.

The final parade saw thetraditional brief exchange ofpresentations between theCommanding Officer and theSchool CCF ContingentCommander, Wing CommanderMarland Green MBE. TheRegiment presented the Schoolwith a framed print of HMQueen Elizabeth II presentingthe Battalion with our NewColours at Windsor. TheCommanding Officer thenaddressed the CCF Contingentas a whole, once morereiterating the importance ofevents such as the BiannualInspection and the linksbetween the Regiment and theSchool.

1. The Commanding Officer presenting a picture of the New Colours Parade in 2015to the Contingent Commander, Wing Commander Marland Green.1


REGIMENTAL & BATTALION EVENTS WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE



BATTLE OF BRITAINMEMORIAL FLIGHT VISITCapt AJN SmithOfficer Commanding Mortar PlatoonSupport Company

In June the Welsh Guards Mortar Platoon made a two-day visit to Lincolnshire - an opportunity to take a break

from 'green' training, to see something different and torelax as a group.

They were fortunate enough tobe able to organise a visit tosee the Battle of BritainMemorial Flight (BBMF) atRoyal Air Force Coningsby.Because of the distance fromPirbright, an overnight staywas necessary and Lt Col Stonewas kind enough to providehospitality at the Prince Williamof Gloucester Barracks innearby Grantham. This gavethe opportunity for anenjoyable curry night.

The following morning thePlatoon made their way to RAFConingsby for a meeting withSqn Ldr Mark Discombe,Deputy OC BBMF, and his team,which included Eric, an ex-

infantry veteran who had seenaction in the Far East duringWW2. After a short caffeine fixand a brief about the role ofthe Flight we were left in Eric'svery capable hands for a tourof what has to be one of themost impressive and inspiringhangers in the world. Itincluded Hurricanes, Spitfires(including one of the last flyingexamples of one that actuallyfought in the Battle of Britain),Chipmunks, Dakotas and, ofcourse, the massive Lancasterbomber. Eric gave animpressive and informativetalk, and it was noted (andappreciated) that the 'squadybanter' transcends the years!

1. Welsh Guards Mortar Platoon with Sqn Ldr Discombe, Deputy OC BBMF and Eric.

2. Csgt Young and Gdsm Qaranivalu enjoying the Typhoon.

The tour of the Battle of BritainMemorial Flight was followedby a visit to No 29 Sqn, who flyTyphoons and train RAF pilotsnew to the aircraft. Flt LtWilkinson gave the Platoon abrief on the aircraft'scapabilities, its continuingdevelopment, including thedevelopment on ground to airintegration. The brief wasfollowed by a walk around

their hanger and theopportunity to sit inside aTyphoon cockpit.

The trip was a much neededand well-deserved break forthe Platoon and presented agood opportunity to socialiseas a group in a more-relaxedenvironment; it was extremelysuccessful and much enjoyedby all.

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HMS PRINCE OF WALESAFFILIATES’ DAYCaptain Leighton Ryan

September 2016 saw CSgt Scarf and myself representthe Battalion on the celebration of the Regiment’s

affiliation with the HMS Prince of Wales moored at RosythDockyard, Edinburgh. This was a day that we were bothprivileged and proud to attend and celebrate our history.

The HMS Prince of Wales iscurrently one of two shipsundergoing construction forthe Royal Navy with a plannedactive service date of 2020. Thiswill be the 7th ship namedafter HRH the Prince of Waleswith the first being launchedback in 1765 and the mostrecent of the fleet being a KingCharles V-Class battleship.Again a ship rich with historygaining active service duringthe Second World War, inparticular the Battle ofDenmark Strait where it foughton 24 May 1941 against theformidable German battleship,the Bismark and the heavycruiser Prinz Eugen. Although

this battle proved a tacticalvictory for the Germans, itsuccess was short lived as thefuel leaked from the Prince ofWales forced the Germans toabandon their missionallowing the British itsoperational victory. Second tothat, angered by the defeat ofour sister ship, HMS Hood, lostat the same battle and as atestament to the Britishformidable spirit, a large scalecounter attack saw the Bismarksank a mere three days later.

The celebrations of the Princeof Wales Affiliates’ Day beganwith a brief delivered by theships current captain, Captain

Ian Groom MBE. All the guests,including representatives fromthe Cities of Bristol andLiverpool the WorshipfulCompany of Goldsmiths, TheRoyal Lancers and No. 27Squadron RAF were amazed asCapt Groom MBE conveyedstories of heroism and gave aninsight to what life must havebeen like for these braveheroes out at sea for monthson end. It was an informativeinsight to how they operatedand how it can be related tothe way we approach warfaretoday.

On the completion of the briefswe were given our very stylishprotective equipment, whichconsisted of hi-vis vests, hardhats and steeled toecap boots.Luckily for me, our issued bootswere sufficient enough to savehaving to change in to those asI don’t think I would haveallowed any photographs tobe taken.

Once on the ship, youimmediately got a feel of howlarge the ship is. Having gone

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up several flights of stairs untilyou reach the flight deck youimmediately get to see the shipand its enormity. The flightdeck is approximately 16000square metres and has acapability of holding up to 40aircraft, ranging from -35Lightning II, Chinook CH47,Apache AH 64, Merlin HM2 andHC4, Wildcat HMA2 and AH1, orin Guardsman’s language youcould rehearse an entireQueen’s Birthday Parade onthere, including the horses!

Once we had finished on theflight deck and discussed justhow this thing actually floatswe moved to the lower deckwhere we visited the on-boardfacilities including a dentist andits own top of the rangesurgery. When we commentedon how similar it was to the role3 theatre in Camp Bastion wewere informed that much ofwhat they had in there had infact been up cycled from thisunit.

One area that stuck in ourminds from the day was this: if

you could imagine buyingammunition straight from thewarehouse at Amazon, thenyou can imagine what theirammunition storage area waslike, vast is not the word. To seethis kind of technology and howit operates was just an insight tohow efficient and prepared weas the Armed Forces havebecome. The system isautomated and allows theoperators to essentiallycommand the system to bringup required weapons fromdeep magazines to theirpreparation areas on the 2nddeck with no need to go downto the magazines.

Once the weapons areprepared the system will deliverthe weapon to the 2nd deckusing motorised machinery andlifts to allow them to be sent tothe flight deck ready to be usedto their maximum effect.

The day concluded with a buffetlunch, which was very tasty,however, I’m not sure that theywere quite prepared for two ofthe Welsh Guards rugby team

to be tucking into it. Whilsteating, all the guests were allable to pose questions and fill inthe gaps from how they did it inthe Second World War to howwe have developed ourcapability to such an extent thatwe are now. A point thatresonated throughout was howwelcome we had been madeand just to the extent at howkeen the staff at HMS Prince ofWales is to maintaincommunications and continueto develop our affiliation withthe team.

Looking to the future we areplanning to host the staff of theHMS Prince of Wales at ElizabethBarracks with the hope of arugby or football match towelcome our guests and showour appreciation for anextremely informative andenjoyable trip. I know that I, forone, will be paying closeattention to the continuousbuild of this amazing vessel andwill hopefully return toEdinburgh next year to see itsdevelopment.

1. Capt Leighton Ryan and CSgt David Scarf in front of the bow of HMS Prince of Wales at the inaugural Affiliates day in Rosyth dockyard, Edinburgh.

2. HMS Prince of Wales ships crest.3. A mock up of what both QueenElizabeth-class aircraft carrierswill look like when complete. HMS Queen Elizabeth andHMS Prince of Wales.

4. The Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling System (HMWHS) nicknamed the ‘Mole.’

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CENTENARY WOOD AT COEDFFOS LAS, 29 JUNE 20162Lt Lucas Colley 3 R WELSH (Assault Pioneer Platoon Commander)

Elements of the Battalion deployed to Coed Ffos Las inSouth Wales on 29th June to facilitate a Community

Engagement event. Our aim was to support the WoodlandTrust shaping the Centenary Wood at Coed Ffos Las, aspart of the commemorations of the 100th anniversary ofthe Battle of the Somme.

The main effort of the eventwas to enhance the profile ofthe Battalion, through thedevelopment of strong tieswith the Army Cadet Force andMilitary Prep Colleges fromacross Wales. A recruitingstand was set up to highlightthe Welsh Guards’ capabilitiesand equipment. Each companyprovided a different emphasisand the various cadets whoattended were put throughtheir paces in a series ofcommand tasks. The centre-piece command task was laidon by the Assault Pioneers,with all the cadets required toplant as many trees as theycould within a set time. Extrachallenge was provided by thethoroughly wet weather, whichresulted in us having to re-setand replace some of thetentage at various timesbuilding up to the event! A lotof frustration went very highafter having set approximatelyfour tents, one was wreckedwithin minutes by strongwinds and the other threelooked highly questionable…Nevertheless, we persisted andthe weather eventually gave ussome respite towards the endof the evening.

On the day we hadapproximately 100 cadetsarriving from the variousgroups. After a swift receptionand a briefing for the day inthe village hall, they werebrought up to the exercise areawhere the Battalion staff werewaiting to put them througheach of their tasks. Thecommand tasks were highlycompetitive, with the RAPTCIco-ordinating and collatingresults. Each of the commandtasks had a different theme,dependent on the Companyresponsible for running it; forexample the LAD had a vehiclerecovery task and the MedicalCentre had a casualtyevacuation task. Our pairedReserve Battalion, 3 RoyalWelsh, also attended togenerate extra recruitment forthe Reserves, as well as oursister Welsh Combat unit, theQueen’s Dragoon Guards.

As well as being a good pieceof local community work forthe cadets to engage in, thewhole day gave them a briefflavour of what the Army canoffer – working as a team,under challenging conditionsand time pressure. It was great

1. Number Two Company’s Lt Lewis and Sgt Hedges enthusiastically join in thetree planting, or is it mine clearance?

2. Ex-Welsh Guardsman(now Royal Welshman) WO2 Thomas 53 also gets to grips with planting a few trees.

to see all the cadets involvedand really taking ownership ofthe tasks, with the relevantteam leaders organising theirpeople effectively and quickly.

Ultimately, despite theinclement weather, athoroughly enjoyable day washad by all and severalthousand trees were plantedfor the Centenary Wood.Naturally, this piece ofwoodland will grow andblossom into a substantialorchard with the potential forfurther expansion. As acommemorative piece, it ishighly fitting as it also serves torestore extra timber to an areathat was heavily de-forested inthe First World War in order toprovide structuralreinforcement to the front-linetrenches. This provides ahighly suitablecommemoration for all theWelshmen who fought at theBattle of the Somme andstrengthens our links with theWoodland Trust, the MPCT andthe local Army Cadet Force – intime this should generate extrarecruitment for the Battalionand keep our presence visiblein South Wales. In addition, notonly were Welsh Combatrepresented but a wider viewof the Army was given to thoseaspiring cadets who may wishto join other arms and servicesin the future.

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ADDRESS GIVEN BYCAPTAIN PAUL DE ZULUETAIN THE GUARDS’ CHAPEL Remembrance Sunday 13 November 2016

The poet and writer, Siegfried Sassoon, who fought inthe Great War, was always worried that people would

forget the Battle of the Somme.

‘Have you forgotten yet for theWorld has rumbled on', hewrote in his poem 'Aftermath'in 1919.

On July1st this year, as theNation began itsCommemoration of theSomme's Centenary, a numberof us from the Regiment met at7.30, the time that fatefulwhistle sounded 100 yearsago, to observe two minutessilence.

A contemporary of Sassoon's,the writer AP Herbert, oncesaid that 'Every Englishmanhas an image of the Somme'.For me, the image is of the Palsbattalions, that army of friends,sustained by their Faith andtheir sense of duty and service,drawn from the same towns,villages, cricket teams andfactories: miners, shippingclerks, porters and errandboys, artists and aristocrats.The image stays with mebecause it was the gift of familyand friendship that the WelshGuards gave me.

When I was just sixteen, Ireceived a letter from theRegimental Adjutant of theGrenadier Guards askingwhether I'd like to come for aninterview during the nextschool holidays. I'm not surewhat military talent they hadpicked up on, but my Mother’sfamily had been Grenadiers.My grandfather 'Boy' Browningwon the Distinguished ServiceOrder aged 19 in 1917 servingwith their Second Battalion. Hewas just one of three officersfrom his battalion to survivethat day.

But I was torn between theGrenadiers and loyalty to myfather, Peter, and my cousinPhilip, who had both been inthe Welsh Guards, only acouple of months ago,someone asked me whichRegiment I had served with. Isaid the Welsh Guards to whichhe replied 'Really, what with aname like Zulueta, how did thathappen then? I let the remarkpass, though I was reminded

that the Regiment was oftenreferred to affectionately as the'Foreign Legion' by the rest ofthe Household Division.

Still, I was in two minds untilColonel James Malcolm toldme that, if I chose theWelshGuards, I would be going toBerlin. ‘You’ll be right in thePermafrost of the Cold War' hesaid, adding, just in case thatdidn't do the trick, 'oh, and ofcourse you'll get a generousoverseas allowance to helpwith the racy social life'. Mymind was made up.

What Colonel James didn't tellme, however, was that within aweek of landing in Berlin, Iwould be responsible forguarding Rudolf Hess, theprominent Nazi politician,serving a Life sentence atSpandau prison. But I wasmore fortunate than a brotherofficer who, one day, foundhimself patrolling past Hesswho was tending his small fruitand vegetable garden. Heheard Hess say 'Vould you like aplum? My brother officer,startled by Hess's words whowas never known to sayanything, stammered 'Well,how kind of you, thank you'.Hess, a wily old fox, laterreported him.'British officersteals plum' was then escalatedto the highest authorities.

Colonel James was right aboutthe social life. Ourcommanding officer at one ofhis regular meetings with theBerlin Brigade Commander, ahumourless ScottishPresbyterian, found himselfasked by the Brigadier as towhy young Welsh Guards

Officers were so often to befound in nightclubs in theFrench Sector. OurCommanding Officer lookedhim straight in the eye and said'Only on sports afternoons, Sir'.My Commanding Officer went

on to be a Field Marshal.

It was decided shortly after,that I should get down to someproper soldiering, so I was sentto join the Scots Guards whowere short of officers on anoperational tour of NI. TheScots Guardsmen quicklydispensed with my surnameand simply addressed me asMr Smith. A few months later, Iwas back again to NI, this timeto South Armagh with theWelsh Guards. It was at theheight of the troublesfollowing the massacre, in lateAugust 1979, of 18 members ofthe Parachute Regiment andthe Queen's Own Highlandersat Warren Point, and themurder of Lord Mountbattenand members of his family. Ileft the army in 1986.

It's only when you reach middleage that you begin to realisewho, and what, has beenimportant in your life and theanchors of friendship and familythat have held you steady.

It was the summer of 2009 thatbrought this home to me. I waswalking to my office in Victoriawhen my Blackberry beeped. Itwas an email from Colonel TomBonas, our RegimentalAdjutant, informing me thatthe Commanding Officer,Rupert Thorneloe, had beenkilled in action in Afghanistan.We'd already been saddenedby the deaths of Mark Evison,Sean Birchall, Toby Fasfous andDane Elson on the samegruelling tour, but Tom's emailshook me. None of mycontemporaries had metRupert, or any other of theWelsh Guardsmen killed inaction. But we all felt a sharpsense of loss as though anunknown, but much respected,cousin had passed away.



In the autumn of that year, anumber of us got together toclimb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pikeand Snowdon in 24 hrs toremember them, and supportour Afghanistan appeal.

Alun Powell, who had been myplatoon sergeant led the walk,his presence, as well as hisability to read a map, asreassuring to me as it had been35 years ago.

In late September this year, Iwent with the Regiment on abattlefield tour to Normandy tosee where the Regiment hadfought after D Day, and visit thegraves of those WelshGuardsmen killed in action. Itwas a good mix of us, past andpresent, from Guardsman toGeneral, to our good andgenerous friends from theDrapers’ Company. I rememberasking the Guardsmen whythey had joined the WelshGuards.

Without exception, they saidbecause a cousin or an unclehad served, or their best matefrom school had joined up.One Guardsman told me he'dfelt a sense of purpose for thefirst time in his life when he'dwatched a Welsh Guardshomecoming parade in hishome town of Bangor.

I once heard Rabbi JonathanSacks talk about Leaders asEducators and Mentors. It'ssomething we've done verywell as a Regiment. We're allproud that this single-battalionRegiment has produced moreGenerals than any othersingle-battalion Regiment inthe British army over the lastquarter of a century. InNormandy, I met one of ourNon Commissioned Officerswho, after a very rough start in

life, is now the youngest ColourSergeant in the British Armyand about to go to Sandhurstto train our future Officers.

That's why as wecommemorate the centenaryof the Somme this year, theimage that remains in my mindis that of the Pals Battalions,that army of friends and family,

'To these I turn, in these I trust 'wrote Sassoon a month beforethe Battle. A hundred yearslater, we would say the sameabout the Welsh Guards, 'Tothese I turn, in these I trust

And as to Sassoon's gentlerebuke, 'Have you forgottenyet'? I return to July 1st thisyear. After my brother officersand I had observed the twominutes silence, we went ourseparate ways. As I got on theunderground, in the seatsopposite me, sat three mendressed as First World Warsoldiers handing out cardswith the names of those whohad died that day, 100 yearsago. My card read: PrivateMicklethwaite, East LancashireRegiment, Accrington Pals,aged 20.

Later that day, I watched on theBBC, the centenaryCommemoration at Thiepval.It was a beautiful and movingceremony. As Her Majesty said,it was a day for quiet thinkingand contemplation. Like today,it was also a time to rememberthe 1539 Welsh Guardsmenkilled in action since we wereformed in 1915, and thoseWelsh Guardsmen whocontinue to suffer mentally andphysically from recent conflict.For me, there is no such thingas an ex Welsh Guardsman, ora former Welsh Guardsman,just a Welsh Guardsman.

Welsh Guardsmen attending the wakefollowing the Requiem Mass for

Major Peter Owen-Edmunds14 October 2016

Back row (l to r): Rupert Cockcroft, Tony Ballard, Andrew Morgan, James Farquharson, Tommy MacDonald-Milner, Brian Keane, Neville

Hamer, William Syms, James Manningham-Buller, Aldwyn Wight, Julian Sayers, Nick Drummond, Hugh Boddington, Roddy Sale

Front row (l to r): Tony Downes, ??, Robin Malcolm, James Scott-Bowden, Richard Stanford, Keith Astley, Robert Talbot-Rice, Olly

Richardson, Tom Bonas, Richard Powell, Ray Evans, Micky Senior, Simon Rhodes.

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BATTLEFIELD TOURS 79

BATTLEFIELD TOURS


SAINT CHARLES DE PERCYJUNE 2016Lieutenant JJC Lewis Officer Commanding Number Six Platoon,Number Two Company

On 5 June 2016 four members of 1st Battalion WelshGuards departed for Normandy to visit the village of

Saint Charles de Percy to commemorate those who fell inthe battle for the area. The group consisted of LieutenantLewis, Sergeant Hedges, Lance Corporal Armstrong andGuardsman Watters.

Upon reaching border controlthe officials on duty weresomewhat intrigued by thetunics, bearskins and otheritems in the boot of the car.After a long conversation in“Franglais” we managed toconvince the French BorderAgency that we were indeed onour way to Normandy for anofficial ceremony and not partof are-enactment group.

We left Calais and cruisedthrough the beautiful NorthernFrance countryside until wereached the small and charmingvillage of Saint Charles de Percy.It was getting late in the eveningas we pulled into the drive of theMayor of the VillagesChateaux.The door flung openand the Mayor greeted us ingood English much to my reliefas my GCSE French is beginningto become a little rusty. We ate asimple meal, told stories andwent to bed.

In the morning we woke tofresh coffee, cheese and eggsbefore conducting a recce of thecemetery and Guards Memorialin the centre of the village.

We were very kindly asked tolunch with the Mayor. We were

joined at lunch by the son of anIrish Guards Officer who helpedliberate the area and indeed thevillage itself. He wasaccompanied by an architectwho was an expert on the warand how it impacted the locals.We chatted for a long timeabout the significance of theBattle of Saint Charles de Percyand how the Guards ArmouredDivision played such a key role inthe liberation. We heard howthe Chateau was under constantsniper fire but this didn’t stop ayoung platoon commanderfrom wandering outside to eat abowl of strawberries that hadbeen left on the terrace.

With lunch finished it was timeto get changed for theceremony. We walked up to theCemetery with cars hootingtheir horns and waving at us.

The ceremony itself was movingand it was great to see some ofthe veterans as well as thecivilian population who werepresent during the liberation ofthe village. Lance CorporalArmstrong played the Last Poston the bugle beautifully afterthe wreaths were laid. The localschool choir sang and then so

did everyone when it came tothe National Anthems. Theremust have been 200 peoplepresent at the ceremony.

When the ceremony was overwe marched down to theGuards Armoured DivisionMemorial where we laid awreath and had a minute’ssilence. The proceedings cameto an end and drinks were laidon for us.

We were welcomed with openarms and the people of thevillage were very willing toshare their stories andmemories. All in all, it was afantastic day.

1. Guardsman Watters, Lieutenant Lewis and Sergeant Hedges in the Cemetery at Saint Charles de Percy.

2. Veterans and locals get into position as the ceremony begins to get under way.

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80 BATTLEFIELD TOURS

BATTLEFIELD TOURS WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

OPERATION SOMME REFLECT– ARMY STAFF RIDE 2016Major E S MathiesonOfficer Commanding Number Two Company,1st Battalion Welsh Guards

The British Army’s official report on World War One, theKirke Report, made clear the requirement to translate

learning from the past into lessons for the future. (UnitedKingdom, British Army, 1932. Report of the Committee onthe Lessons of the Great War. London).

In this spirit and with cleardirection from the Chief of theGeneral Staff, 128 temporarystudents were selected fromacross the Army. Support camefrom the other two services,multiple directing staff,academics and a real-lifesupport team. We were toundertake a detailed study ofthe Battle of Somme.

The joining instructionsreassured us that we were nottaking part in a battlefield tourbut a staff ride, which requireddetailed preparation andpreliminary study. This was dulyshaped into pre-reading, astudy day, one week on theSomme and then anexploitation day.

1. The South African memorial, Delville Wood.

2. The Australian memorial, Pozières.

3. The 1/8th (Argyll) Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders memorial, Beaumont Hamel.

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The focus was to set this historicbattle in its context, in terms ofits contribution to the Great War,the legacy it created for allinvolved, as well as its relevanceto modern warfare against apeer enemy. We were privilegedto be accompanied by officersfrom the armies of Australia,Canada, France, Germany,Ireland and New Zealand. Eachcountry representative had theiropportunity to recognise thesacrifices of their forebears aswe travelled betweencemeteries. These poignantspots allowed us to overlook thebattlefields and reflect upon thelosses suffered.

One striking feature of theSomme is the level at which theArmy was operating. Corps anddivisions were manoeuvringand it is easy to become lost inthe numbers of soldiersinvolved. Accounts of the battleregularly discuss generalofficers as being the key driversof success and responsible forfailure. In a much diminishedmodern army, this level ofcommand is increasinglydifficult to relate to, especiallywhen advanced technology isfactored in. Commanding acompany requires extensive andconstant communication.Making decisions for andapplying mission command to adispersed force of thousands

must have been extremelydifficult when it could takehours to receive basic updatesfrom the front line.

It was also very interesting to begiven insight into the Battle ofthe Somme from the enemyperspective. German accountsare often overlooked and havingspecialist academics presentedafforded us situationalawareness as we consideredhow and why the Germanswere fighting.

We returned to our day jobshumbled by those he wentbefore us and inspired by thechance to immerse ourselves ina piece of international history.The discussion generated willduly be translated into changesto doctrine and published onthe Army Knowledge Exchange.


WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE BATTLEFIELD TOURS

EXERCISE SOMME DRAGONSecond Lieutenant G F ElletsonOfficer Commanding Number Five Platoon,Number Two Company

Exercise Somme Dragon was a battlefield study 5 – 10July, led by 160 Brigade. It focused on the Welsh

contribution to the Battle of The Somme and centred onthe 100th anniversary of the Battle of Mametz Wood. 1st Battalion Welsh Guards was represented by myselfand Sergeant Hedges.

Although the Welsh Guardswere not involved directly in thisbattle our presence allowed usto show support for our fellowWelsh regiments and toacknowledge the incrediblesacrifice of Welshmen in theGreat War, particularly from 38th(Welsh) Division. The group wasTri-Service and this diversityensured that subject matterexperts were always available toexplain the detail of all elementsof the fighting. Most interestingwere explanations of howartillery barrages were used,sometimes to the detriment ofBritish soldiers at the start of thewar, and how the ‘rollingbarrage’ technique wasdeveloped. We were also taught

about the birth of the Royal AirForce through the Royal FlyingCorps and how early aeroplaneswere used as spotters forartillery.

The study was led by CaptainMark Evans (3rd Battalion RoyalWelsh) who had a thoroughknowledge of First World Warhistory and was able to bringthe study to life by includingstories of his own GreatGrandfather who fought in theBattle of the Somme. This wascontinued throughout the weekas people whose families hadbeen involved in the battlesbeing studied were encouragedto speak about what they haddiscovered through personalresearch.

1. Second Lieutenant Elletsonand Sergeant Hedges at the Welsh Memorial in Langemark (located near Pilkem Ridge in the former Ypres Salient).

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On the site of many of theoriginal trenches andbattlefields lie graveyards andmemorials to the fallen soldiers.We spent time visiting thegraves and delving into thestories of some of theindividuals who are buriedthere. There are also a largenumber of unmarked graves asoften it proved impossible toidentify bodies of the dead.Thiepval Memorial is the focalpoint for this and has engravedon it the names of 72,246missing soldiers who lie inunmarked graves having fallenat the Somme or subsequentbattles. On the final day wevisited the memorial and aceremony was led by the RoyalBritish Legion who paid tributeto those whose fate is unknown.

The trip was thoroughlyworthwhile and was deemed byall who were there as extremelyeducational. It also gave us achance to reflect on thesacrifices made by thegenerations before us and thehardships which they endured.It is important for us toremember a hundred years onwhat happened in the war and

to remember the dead but also,as soldiers, to find out howthese battles were fought andhow tactics progressed in thiswar with the development oftechnology and lethality.



CENTENARY PILGRIMAGE TOTHE SOMMECaptain Lyndon Davies QARANC29 June – 3 July 2016

Four members of the Welsh Guards Associationtravelled to France on a pilgrimage for the 100th

Anniversary Commemorations for the Battle of theSomme. Their presence added an extra specialcontribution to this important event.

David (Spider) Webb, StanEvans and Kelvyn Jenkins allserved with the Welsh Guards.Lyndon Davies serves with 203(Welsh) Field Hospital and is anAssociate Member of the WelshGuards Association.

When Kelvyn and I arrived atthe RV point to meet Spider andStan for the outward journey inSpider’s car, we did not expectto be greeted with a caralready full to capacity withvery little room for us not to

mention our kit. Somehow, wemanaged to fit our bags intothe car but hats off to Kelvynfor spending the entire carjourney in the rear seatpractically hidden under boxes,bags, coats and Spider’sinfamous bowler hat andpuppet monkey. With Spiderdriving, Stan in the frontpassenger seat and Kelvyn andme in the rear, we embarkedon our Pilgrimage. It was arelief arriving at the ferryterminal to be able to get outof the car.

The pleasure of reaching theferry terminal in New Havenwas soon short lived by theroughest 4 hour ferry crossing

of my entire life. After a quicksong burst of “For Those in Perilon the Sea”, Spider and Stansomehow managed to sleep ina cabin but Kelvyn and I werebordering on being sea sick andsoon realised why we chose toserve in the Army as opposed tothe Royal Navy. It was a relief toget back into the confinedspace of Spider’s car when wearrived in France for the onwardjourney to our hotel.

We arrived at the hotel at0700hrs where Stan, Kelvynand I soon realised that ‘SpiderWebb Tours.com’ had booked ahotel in the middle of adeserted French village, anhour and a half journey awayfrom where we wanted to bein the Somme. There was not asoul or a bar in sight and webegan to get concerned thatour Pilgrimage to the Sommewould prove difficult from alocation so far away. At thispoint the priority was to get acup of tea and breakfast so wetried to stay positive thinking ‘itwill all work out OK’. However,negativity soon cropped backinto the fold with the hotelrefusing to serve us until wehad checked in – and check inwas at 1500hrs, 8 hours away.

In true Army spirit, the ‘adaptand overcome’ mentalitykicked into action and wedecided to drive to the Sommefor a recce and have breakfastin Avril Williams’ café atAuchonvillers. Avril has met usall before when we have visitedon battlefield tours. After agrand entrance singing“There’s a bright golden hazeon the meadow… Oh what abeautiful morning”, we weregreeted with a welcome and asmile and Avril served astunning breakfast withcountless mugs of tea that hitthe right spot. On hearing ourpredicament, Avril suggestedthat we should drive to MaillyMaillet, a village 2 miles away



and look for a house that mayhave a couple of spare rooms.Sadly there was no reply at thishouse but by an amazingstroke of luck we bumped intoa very helpful lady. She was theSecretary to Mr Rod Bedford,the Chairman of the RoyalBritish Legion Somme Branch,who is a Retired GrenadierGuard. She introduced us to alovely elderly couple, Lilienneand Gillies who agreed that wecould stay in a house that theyowned in the village at a veryreasonable rate. Needless tosay, we bit their hands off bythis offer and we were touchedby the incredible warmwelcome shown towards us bythese lovely genuine people.Spider without muchpersuasion promptly cancelledthe hotel and our Pilgrimagefinally got off to a great startright in the heart of theSomme.

During the Great War, thevillage of Mailly Maillet was aCasualty Clearing Station andthere is evidence of this to thisday. The house used as theField Hospital still stands withits exterior walls displaying thescars of shrapnel from the war.It is hard to comprehend thevolume of casualties in theirmany thousands that musthave passed through thisfacility. As a medic, I could onlybut try to imagine howstretched to their limits thosemedics must have been. Anelderly lady in her 90’s livesthere now and the house wasowned by her father at thetime of the battle. To add to theatmosphere, it was a lovelysurprise seeing a First WorldWar Field Hospital re-enactment group in RoyalArmy Medical Corps, QueenAlexandra Imperial MilitaryNursing Service andWarwickshire Regt uniformssetting up camp on the villagegreen. These re-enactors soon

got into the mind-set of livingthe life of a soldier 100 yearsago and to be able to watchtheir discipline, historicalpractices and military routinesof that period was aneducation in itself.

Amongst the re-enactors wasChris Coode, ex Welsh GuardsPrince of Wales’s Company anda member of Llanelli BranchWelsh Guards Association. Itwas really nice to meet him.Kelvyn and Spider joined in there-enactment theme bywearing their traditional WW1period Welsh Guards uniforms.

The first cemetery we visitedincluded the grave of 2ndLieutenant Henry NormanGrant, Lancashire Fusiliers,who came from the beautifulold Welsh market town of Hayon Wye, who died aged 23 onthe first day of the Battle of theSomme. Kelvyn who is alsofrom Hay on Wye and servedfor many years as a musician inthe Welsh Guards Band, foundit particularly poignant playingthe Last Post at 2nd Lt Grant’sgrave. Spider carried theAssociation Standard for theNorth Wales Branch. After thefour of us conducted a verydignified ceremony at thisOfficer’s grave, we proceededto the site of the Sunken Road,where 100 years ago, manysoldiers awaited for the orderto advance on the first day ofthe battle.

We conducted a ceremony atthe Sunken Road and wereunexpectedly joined by anumber of spectators who hadstopped their vehicles from thenearby road to watch what wewere doing. They seemed toappreciate our ceremony and itwas lovely to add to theirexperience of visiting the area.We then proceeded to theGuards Cemetery at Ginchyand paid our respects withanother dignified ceremony.

During the battle, Ginchy hadan advanced dressing stationand amongst the Guardsmenwho died there is Gdsm JosephOswald Wilcoxon Welsh Guardswho died on 10 September1916 age 22years. We werevery fortunate to have StanEvans with us, who hasdevoted many years as thededicated curator of the WelshGuards Museum. He is anexpert on the history of theRegiment and his knowledge

significantly complementedour trip by the information heshared. Part of Stan’s collectionis Gdsm Wilcoxon’s ‘Death Coin’and we laid a wreath at hisgrave. Pictured is Spider atGdsm Wilcoxon’s grave withthe ‘Death Coin’.

We then called at Avril Williams’café for some lunch and onbehalf of us all, Stan presentedher with a beautifully framedand embroidered Welsh

Guards badge as a token ofthanks for pointing us in theright direction of Mailly Mailletfor accommodation.

By the time we returned to thevillage, word had got aroundthat we had been holdingdignified ceremonies at keylocations around the Somme.The sound of Kelvyn’s

exemplary bugle playing hadbeen heard by many and wewere approached by theChairman of the SommeBranch Royal British Legionasking if we would take anactive part in the village’scommemoration on 1 July. We were also invited by him toattend the Battle of the Somme

commemorative dinner in abeautiful old hall located inArras’ Museum of Art in thepresence of the Mayor of Arras.We regarded this as a hugehonour and gratefullyaccepted the invitation.

The Welsh Guards has a strongassociation with Arras havingfought there in both WorldWars. In the garden outside thehall where the dinner was held,there is a large bronze plaquein honour of the Welsh Guards.We conducted a ceremonyhere before the dinner.

The dinner started withGreetings being read out fromHer Majesty the Queen andfrom the President of Francewhich emphasised thesignificance and prestigiousnature of this event. Spider wasgiven the honour to toast thememory of those who tookpart in the Battle of the Sommeand he then addressed theguests drawing their attentionto the links between the WelshGuards and the town. He

presented the Mayor of Arraswith a framed cross stitch ofthe Welsh Guards badge madeby Anneka Langley tocommemorate the centenaryof the Somme.

This was hugely appreciatedby the Mayor and was met withwarm enthusiastic applause bythe guests. We concludedSpider’s presentation with thefour of us bursting into songsinging ‘We’ll keep a welcomein the hillside’. In the beautifulacoustic of this fine old hall, itsounded like there were 400 ofus singing in harmony! Thatbrought the whole room to itsfeet with a standing ovation. Itwas a very special moment.

We were later informed thatthe Mayor had placed thepresentation in his officestating that he was so touchedby it that he wanted to ensurethat the Welsh Guards wouldremain in the hearts of thepeople of Arras. Weunderstand that he hasdecided to conduct a regularceremony at the bronze WelshGuards memorial todemonstrate his appreciationfor what the Regiment did forhis town. We were all delightedto hear this news and werehumbled that a simple gestureby Spider had left a legacy inArras that will hopefullycontinue into the future.

The following morning at0728hrs, exactly 100 yearsfrom when the battlecommenced, the four of uswere on parade on the churchsteps in Mailly Maillet leadingan Act of Remembrance withKelvyn playing the bugle to thesound of the re-enactorswhistles and the sound of thechurch bells. Spider loweredthe Standard for the twominutes’ silence before Kelvynsounded Reveille and I recited“They shall grow not old…”Later that morning, we



participated in another serviceoutside the church involving afull parade of re-enactors andlocal villagers.

We were extremely fortunateto have Kelvyn on our trip whoadded something very specialwith his faultless bugleplaying. As a result, hereceived the honour of beinginvited to play the bugle on thesteps at Thiepval British WarMemorial on 2 July for anofficial Royal British Legionceremony. This was for a majorcommemoration in memory ofthe Irish Division where 2,000guests were expected. Havingcompleted the latter few yearsof his colour service in the IrishGuards Band, it was fitting andappropriate for Kelvyn toaccept this invitation. Heplayed Last Post and Reveille atThiepval to an impeccably highstandard making a realdifference to the ceremony.

I’m sure that his experience ofplaying for many years in stateceremonial events helpeddeliver a top class performancewhich he should be justifiablyproud.

Our Pilgrimage sadly came toan end the following day andafter presenting our generoushosts, Lilienne and Gillies withan identical presentation towhat we gave to Avril Williams,we returned to the UK with theknowledge that we hadexperienced and contributedto something very special.

The Welsh Guards family canbe rightly proud of individualssuch as Spider, Stan and Kelvynwho for many years haveconsistently represented theRegiment and the Associationin a very positive light at homeand abroad. I have greatrespect towards them all fortheir loyalty, pride andcommitment. They are trueambassadors for the Welsh

Guards in everything that theydo and it was a real privilegefor me to accompany suchspecial people on such amemorable trip.

The trip has inspired us totravel to France and Belgium in2017 and again in 2018 tomark other First World Warcentenary commemorations.In the meantime, I will try andfind out if Spider’s claims thatthe initial disappointmentsurrounding the hotel was adecoy to hide the fact that hehad actually planned the besttrip we could have ever wishedfor.

Well done Spider! Thank youStan and Kelvyn.

Cymru am Byth!





WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTALBATTLEFIELD TOUR ALLIED INVASION OFNORMANDYCaptain Paul de Zulueta28th September - 2nd October 2016

It is nine o'clock in the morning and we are standing 500feet above sea level at Rommel's water tower near the

Town of Colombelles.

It is a bright and sunny day butthe Autumn sun is too weak tolift the morning chill and mostof us are wondering how bestto recover an extra layer ofclothing from our suitcases inthe bowels of our coach. TimPritchard-Barrett (Tim P-B), ourbattlefield guide, calls for ourattention and for an anxiousmoment I expect him to say,"Right Mr de Zulueta, I'd likeyou to orientate us all to theground". Reading maps andjudging distance has neverbeen my strong suit, though Ialways chuckle at the militaryrituals of, "Look to your front,red roofed barn, go right, twoo'clock from barn, lone tree, tobe known as bushy toppedtree". Luckily, I'm not asked toperform and Tim P-B begins toset the scene. I look around atmy expectant tour colleagues -it is a wonderful mix of pastand present Welsh Guardsmen,from Guardsman to Generaland those loyal, generous andwell cut supporters of theRegiment - the WorshipfulCompany of Drapers. It is quitea view from where we arestanding and easy to see whyField Marshal Erwin Rommel,charged by Hitler with"Throwing the Allies back intothe sea", chose this spot toreview his limited options.Context is important on aBattlefield Tour and Tim P-Breminds us all of how Europelooked in June 1944. More than70 years on, we can still sensethat this is one of mankind'sbig moments. There is no timeto lose as we make our way tothose emotionally laden placenames of Pegasus Bridge, theMerville Battery and Junobeach. We marvel at the flyingskills of the glider pilots who,flying from Dorset in the deadof night, land Major JohnHoward and his men within 50yards of the bridge, sealing offthe ever present threat of a

German counter attack to themain beach landings. RhydianVaughan (Rhyd) takes over asguide with his customary style:a mixture of anecdotes,humorous aside and homebaked tactical insights. We visitMadame Arlette Gondree'scafe at the bridge, she is a childof six at the time and her cafe,wreathed with warmemorabilia is an obviouschoice for croissants and coffeeat €5 each. Almost everyonewho visits the Normandybattlefields goes to PegasusBridge, and most will pop intothe cafe. Although it's lateSeptember, I see two othercoaches arriving as we leave. Ilook around to see if I can spotMadame Gondree's well-appointed chateau.

Before lunch we find time tovisit the Bayeux militarycemetery. Sir FrederickKenyon's vision in 1918 wasthat a British cemetery shouldhave the appearance andreassurance of a well-keptEnglish garden. Some 4468Servicemen rest there,including a number of Germansoldiers, many of whom werejust 17. A cemetery of this sizecan almost seem impersonalso I stand by the grave of aWelsh Guardsman, GuardsmanThomas Alcock who was killedaged 19, just four days after D-Day and offer a prayer in hismemory. The Visitor’sRemembrance book at thecemetery's entrance containsthe usual well-meantcomments: “Why?” and "Wemust never allow war again”.

Though one comment, “Welldone, keep it up lads” seemsbizarre.

In the warmth of the latemidday sun, we eat a simplelunch of crunchy baguettes,foie gras, salami, Frenchcheeses and grapes washeddown with a crate of Rose and

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Normandy cider. After lunch,Rhyd and Tim P-B injectsomerealism into the Tour - 'the fogand chaos of war ' – andarrange for our transport tobreak down. It's a tiresomefour hour delay but not withoutits consolations as, after a poornight's sleep on the ferry andReveille at 4.45am, most of usare content to get our headsdown on the stranded coach.Our hotel in Bayeux arrangesfor a school bus to pick us upand so, after a wasted butrestful afternoon, we arrive inBayeux at 6pm. Unlike Caen,which the Allies controversiallyflattened in June 1944, Bayeuxis a stylish town, easy on theeye andrich in culture. Thecathedral, consecrated in 1077in the presence of William theConqueror, sits in the Town'scentre and looks its best atnight, beautifully lit and just alittle eerie.

French town planners, unlikeour Town Councils, know thatsimplicity and elegance worksbest and keeps the 'streetfurniture' to a minimum.Thatevening, we do our ownthing, no cliques, but enjoy thecompany of foie gras, steakfrites, ripe camembert, vinrouge and calvados. The youngOfficers and Guardsmen, notspoken for, strike a rich localseam on Tinder (for those bornbefore 1980, this is a casualhook up social media sitewhich hoovers up availablewomen within 5kms - actuallya minibus of Norwegianwomen). We have a new coachfor Day 2 and set off at 9 o'clockfor Arromanches and the 360

degree cinema. This showsremarkable and original warfootage from D-Day and thedays after. It's very moving as itshows not only combat scenesbut how the invasion affectedlocal families and theirchildren. Our next stop is theGerman war cemetery at LaCambe. Rhyd, who briefs us atthe cemetery's entrance, saysthat how a country buries itswar dead tells us a lot aboutthe country and its culture. I'mnot sure; I think it tells you howa country sees the war. OnFrench wargraves it says, 'MortPour La France' (died forFrance). The German WW2grave could never say 'Died forGermany' as they gave up theirlives for a murderous, Naziregime. The German cemeteryat La Cambe contains 22,000dead. It has a melancholyrigour about it; no flowers,dark granite stone. One gravesays aged 16; another aged 72.

We all have high expectationsof our next venue: OmahaBeach and the Americancemetery. I wonder if it'sbecause most of have seenSteven Spielberg's classic film

Saving Private Ryan, voted asthe finest war film evermade.Rhyd shows the film'sextraordinary 14 minuteopening sequence on thecoach's video. Tim P-B, who isAmerican on his Mother's side,does the events at Omahagreat justice with knowledgeand emotionalintelligence.First, the cemetery hits youstraight between the eyes.Whether it's the 9,387gravestones made of ItalianCarrera marble, the geometricprecision of the layout over 70acres, or its position on thebluff overlooking Omahabeach, the cemetery, throughits sheer scale, tells you howAmerica sees WW2 and itsmagnificent contribution tothe Allies victory.

I stand by the grave of PteCharles Smith, QM's bakery US1st Infantry Division 'The BigRed'. I wonder about howSmith died, as the Divisionalbakery must have been some

way behind thefront line. Abrave man, I suspect, whotravelled up to his infantrycomrades to bring fresh breadand was hit byGerman mortarfire.We walk down to the beachand look back at the cliffs thatrun along this five mile stretchof coast. Tim P-B tellsus thatthere were between 120 and150 German machine gunsfiring along their longest axis 'in enfilade'. UStroops hadembarked 12 miles out in theirlanding craft in a swollen sea.US records suggest they lost2,500 menon the assault, butTim P-B thinks it's closer to5,000. We walk back to thecoach lost in our own thoughtsandmore than just a littlethankful. As we travel back toBayeux, I notice that peopleremain in quiet and personalcontemplation.

The next morning, Tom Bonas,our much respectedRegimental Adjutant, looksgrave as he approaches me

1. The view of Bayeaux Cathedral from the Tour Party's hotel.

2. The Tour Party at Omaha Beach looking back towards the Bluffs where 150 German machine guns were positioned in enfilade.

3. Captain Vaughan briefing the Tour Party at Omaha Cemetery.

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Its sheer scale, tells you how Americasees WW2 and its magnificentcontribution to the Allies victory.



tucking into my breakfastcroissants. For some reason Iblurt out,

“Morning Tom, cock up on thecoach front?”

“How did you know?”he says.

“Just a hunch from anoverheard conversation lastnight!”I respond. “Well, you'respot on”.

We all gather to discuss andagree Plan B. It all pans outsurprisingly well as I suspectmost of us welcomed a changeof pace from the trauma ofOmaha. Bayeux, with itsfamous Tapestry, theCathedral, the new WW2museum, cafes andcharcuteries is as good place asany in which to while away aday. The sun continuesto blessus.Of course, we have to havesome military input so we allgathered at 1130 in theChurchill Hotel, where most ofus were staying, to hear

briefings from Tim P-B onOperation Goodwood and thetank battle at Villers – Bocagewhich, had our coach arrived,we would have visited. Tim P-Btells some rather goodanecdotes about theRegiment's importantcontribution, including that ofMajor Sir Richard Powell, wholying concussed in a ditch,hashis silver cigarette case stolenby a German soldier. Onregaining consciousness, aGerman officer asksPowellhow he's faring. Sir Richardinforms the Officer that one ofhis men stole his cigarette case.The German Officer is furious,finds out who the culprit is andknocks him out with onepunch. The Battalion's mortarofficer, Captain Adam Smith,speaks about the 81mmmortar and the devastatingeffect of mortar fire whichaccounts forso manycasualties in WW2. I finish thebriefing with a rendition of

Arthur Conan Doyle's poem,The Guards Came Through.

The day finishes with our Galadinner at the Lion d' Or hotel.Our Regimental LieutenantColonel, Major General RichardStanford, closes a terrificevening with well-chosenwords and thanks to thosewho have made the trip such asuccess. We have 11 NCOs andGuardsmen from the Battalionwith us, and General Richardrightly praises them asexamples of why the Regimentremains a source of pride andoptimism to so many. I lookacross to where CSgt JohnMcEvoy is sitting. Not an easystart in life, he is the youngestColour Sergeant in the BritishArmy and about to go toSandhurst to train OfficerCadets. The Services remain apowerful engine for socialmobility. It is our final day andwe have until 4pm when weare to embark on our ferryback to Portsmouth. Tim P-Band Rhyd take us first toRanville cemetery where manyWelsh Guardsmen rest.Usually, I stand at a Welsh

Guardsman's grave, but myeye catches a rare gravestone.It is of a German Jew, ErhardAlentein, who escapes fromGermany before war breaksout, changes his name toEdward Andrews, and diesfighting with the Royal Sussex

Regiment on August 10th 1944.Our last stand, which Tim P-Bdescribes beautifully, is thefighting involving The GuardsArmoured Division and ourSecond Battalion which resultsin the death of the artist, RexWhistler,one of our most lovedsons, from a mortar round. Wevisit his grave at Banneville - La- Campagne. The cemetery'sentrance, with its long treeframed avenue leading to thegravestones, the sun glintingon the autumn leaves, seemsGod given for such a dazzlingartist. There is half an hour tokill before we embark atOustrieham so we all walkdown to the sea at SwordBeach where our Third InfantryDivision landed on D-Day.There is not a cloud in the skyand we marvel as aFrenchwoman, well into her80s, strides purposefully intothe sea. I wonder if, as a younggirl, she was a witness to thatmomentous day.

As the ferry pulls away fromthe harbour, I congratulate TimP-B and Rhyd for giving us allsuch a jolly and worthwhiletime, and all in the Regimentalfamily. I think we all feel a lotbetter for the experience. Weare fortunate in our stronglinks with the Drapers'Company whose members onthis trip were such goodcompany.Our final thanks toour Regimental LieutenantColonel, General RichardStanford, and our RegimentalAdjutant,Colonel Tom Bonas,without whose support, no tripwould have been possible.

The Tour Party at the cemetery at Banneville La Campagne where Rex Whistler is buried

The German Officer is furious, findsout who the culprit is and knocks himout with one punch.

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OFF TO THE RACESRoy Lewis

The annual Welsh Guards day at the races is now veryfirmly part of the Regimental calendar. The first race

day was in 1999 at Bangor-on-Dee and for the followingfive years it was at Hereford and then in 2005 we went toLudlow where we are now firmly established.

The 17th Race Day in May 2016followed the usual pattern,reserved tables in thegrandstand, a good lunch, barand for those watching fromthe balcony facilities to placebets and for the lucky few aplace to collect their winnings.

It is another Association event,a gathering of WelshGuardsmen, their ladies andfriends and a goldenopportunity to enjoy a day atthe races, generally in glorioussunshine. We sponsor one ofthe races, named The WelshGuards Association Handicap,the owner of the winninghorse is presented with a silverstatuette of a Full Sergeant,and there is also a prize for thegroom of the best turned outhorse which is decided by theladies who judge the runnersin the paddock.

Captain David Davies hasorganised the day since thefirst and was very pleased withthe attendance this year andthe continued support. A Dayat the Races in Shropshire is adelight, and some regulars likethe London Branch stay in anearby hotel thus making aweek-end of it.

The Regiment’s links withracing have been many andvaried, riding, training andowning horses while theRegimental Band which

celebrates its Centenary thisyear regularly plays at Epsom,Royal Ascot, Kempton Park andat Longchamps for the Prix deL’Arc de Triomphe.

The racecourse with thestrongest connection to theRegiment is Sandown Park,Esher where the TrainingBattalion was stationed in bothworld wars. In more recenttimes we have got to knowLudlow Racecourse and in1999 and 2009 heldAssociation Biennial Dinnersthere.

Lieutenant Colonel CharlesStephens was RegimentalAdjutant when the Race Daywas launched in 1999. Theholder of a permit to trainhorses, he rode in many racesand won the HouseholdDivision point to point on theMajor General’s charger whichhe describes as “an Army issuehorse!”

Two renowned Regimentalriders were Captains AnthonyMildmay and Peter Cazalet whoserved together in the 2ndBattalion. Captain Mildmayrode in the Grand Nationalbefore and after the SecondWorld War and among histhirty-two wins were eight atCheltenham. Captain Cazaletplayed County cricket andowned and trained horses androde in three Nationals.

Captain Peter Hastings playedrugby for The Army but racingwas his life. His father hadtrained three Grand Nationalwinners and he followed suitin 1953 and trained over 300winners. His son-in-law IanBalding, father of Claire,succeeded him at the stablesin Kingsclere and trained over2000 winners.

Brigadier J C Windsor Lewisrode in the Grand Nationalbefore the Second World War,

Major General Spencer-Smithwas a member of a Tattersallscommittee, Major Vere-Nicollon his horse Ballverine twicewon the Grand Military GoldCup and Major W D Gibson onKlaxton won it four times.

Welsh Guardsmen, their ladies,friends and families will be offto the races again in May.Some will back winners, otherslosers but everyone will have agreat day. A Welsh Guards day.

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Rugby dominated the earlydays of the Trophy, four of thefirst six winners David Bowen,Brian Neck, Don Hearne andChris Seldon gained distinctionin Army rugby, but in 1984 atennis player Sergeant PaulWeaver was the winner and sixyears later the award wasmade to Guardsman MarcWheeler a martial artsexponent.

In 1988 Lance Corporal Biertonwas recognised for hisachievements in rugby, hockey,basketball and athletics.Another worthy winner in 2007

HONOURING THE REGIMENT’SSPORTSMENRoy Lewis

The Monmouthshire Branch Trophy for the WelshGuards Sportsman of the Year was first awarded in

1968 to a rugby player, Lance Sergeant David Bowen, aprop forward who played for The Army and LondonWelsh.

was Sergeant Edward Millswho cycled from Bosnia toCalais, paddled the Channel ina kyak, ran the equivalents ofthree marathons to Londonand cycled from WellingtonBarracks to North Wales, all forcharity.

If there had been a Sportsmanof the Year award in 1955undoubtedly it would havegone to boxer Sergeant AlfBray the Army HeavyweightChampion, but the Regiment’stradition in the sport is stillalive. The 2016 Welsh GuardsSportsman of the Year is

30096369 Lance CorporalJamie Ryan coach of theBattalion boxing team.

After coaching for five years heis currently the head coach forthe Household Division teamand under him the WelshGuards boxing team hasproduced outstanding resultsand became the 2016Household DivisionChampions. Captain Butler,Boxing Officer, said of him, “Hegot each boxer to believe inhimself, he took the time tounderstand each boxer’sindividual needs anddifferences and waspassionate about what he wasdoing.” A worthy Sportsman ofthe Year in a Regiment famousfor its sporting achievementsand the first coach to win theaward Jamie Ryan is also thefirst to be presented with thenew Monmouthshire BranchTrophy.

1. Battalion Boxing Squad. L/Corporal Ryan, 2016 Sportsman of the Year is stood to the left of the CommandingOfficer.

2. Lance Sergeant David Bowen,the first Sportsman of the Year.

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TOWN REMEMBERSITS FALLEN SONS Kelvyn Jenkins (late Band of the Welsh Guards.)

On Sunday 7th August, the people of Hay-on-Wyecame together to pay their respects to the local men

who fell during the Battles of Jutland and of the Somme in1916.

The occasion took the form of aparade, led by Swansea CityPipe Band, and includedveterans both from the localarea and from all over Wales,Herefordshire and Shropshire.Also present were the RoyalBritish Legion Military Riders,various re-enactment groupsand a spectacular display of 35Standards, representingvarious branches of the RoyalBritish Legion, NavalAssociation, the RAFAAssociation and other Armyassociations, including fourStandards of the Welsh GuardsAssociation – our thanks goout to all who took part.

Included in the afternoon’sproceedings werecontributions from Rhayader’sVoices in Unity Choir and abrass band under the directionof Mr Hugh Williams fromBrecon, while local helpersmanned the RBL stand, sellinggifts and souvenirs to raisefunds for the Poppy Appeal.

A Service of Remembrance wasconducted by Padre Ann fromHereford and wreaths werelaid, among others, by the Hon.Dame Shan Legge BourkeDCVO, Lord Lieutenant forPowys; Chris Davies, MP forBrecon and Radnor; KirstyWilliams AM for Mid and WestWales; the Chairman andPresident of Hay and DistrictRoyal British Legion and MrKim Hibberd on behalf of theWelsh Guards Assocation. Thewreath to commemorate theBattle of Jutland was laid by

WO1 Paul Willetts, RN.

Red roses were then laid byfamily members and othersconnected to the 12 fallen, tothe swelling strains of“Nimrod” from Elgar’s “EnigmaVariations”, performed by thebrass band.

A Guard of Honour was formedby the Welsh Guards recruitingteam in their tunics andbearskins and the World War Ire-enactment group, theWarwickshire Regiment. Manythanks go to both thesegroups, whose role added aparticular poignancy to theoccasion.

Kelvyn Jenkins, WGA member,who had the initial idea for theremembrance and whoorganised all the proceedings,said the event was a greatsuccess, with several hundredattendees, including twopensioners of the RoyalHospital who had made thetrip especially to take part.

‘This day’, along with theremembrance we held lastyear to mark the deploymentof the Hay Territorials to Adenin 1915, were both hugesuccesses and muchappreciated by those whowere there. To follow up thisenthusiasm, plans are afoot,for 2018, to mark the end ofWorld War I. So, one for yourdiaries ladies and gentlemen,is Sunday, 5th August 2018from 12.30pm. We hope towelcome as many Associationmembers there as possible.

THE WELSH GUARDSCOLLECTIONS T Evans, Curator

ESTABLISHED 1995

President: Brigadier J.F.Rickett. CBE

Chairman: Col. T.Bonas

Treasurer: Mr J.O.Willams

Secretary: RQMS S.O’Brien

Curator: Mr S.T.Evans. Cartref ni, 44 Crossfield Avenue, Winsford, Cheshire. CW7 1EG. Tel; 01606 593953.E mail [email protected]

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OUR COMING OF AGE

Although the concept of a Welsh Guards Collection cameto me in 1993 it wasn’t until June 1995 I’d built up enoughitems and artefacts and courage to approach certainpeople with a suggestion to create a museum of sorts todisplay these items in a way that would educate peopleinto the life and history of our Regiment.

Top of the list was the thenPresident of the Welsh GuardsAssociation, Brigadier (Rtd)Johnny Rickett OBE and Lt/Col

(Rtd) Brian Morgan MBE whohad recently retired after 38years service in the WelshGuards. Ironically, these two

people were my first PlatoonCommander and first PlatoonSergeant in the JuniorGuardsman’s CompanyPirbright Camp 1960. It wassuggested by Brigadier Johnnyto call it ‘The Welsh GuardsCollection’ That was 21 yearsago and so I think we can saywith confidence that we havemost definitely ‘Come of age’

As I look back on every one ofthose years, it is withamazement that we have beenable to recover in the way ofuniforms, equipment andarchive that we now have.There have been many ‘highs’and every now and then theodd ‘low points’ An example ofa high is when you have beenable to secure an item of hugesignificance to our historybefore it otherwise might haveended up in a skip because noone really knew its importanceor rarity. A low, when one hasnot been able to successfullybid for an item sold on aninternet auction site, especiallywhen it goes to America orJapan, never to be seen again.But the highs far out way thelows.

We have often uncovereditems of uniform andembellishments that no oneseems to remember. There hasnever been, to our knowledge,a regulation issued coveringevery item we have worn or

used in our existence. Isuppose one exception mightbe the Statton prints producedin 1975 to commemorate our75th anniversary. Produced byStatton they were an artisticimpression of all thingsuniform. However, these werenever precise examples of themany items now longforgotten. Many discussionshave taken place betweencollectors, dealers and selfappointed experts about whatwas and what wasn’t. Sowhere possible, we base ourknowledge on photographs. Ihave included a few recentpieces for our readers to enjoy.

Up until 2007 and the newissue of the Warrant Officer’sbuff and sword belt lockets itwas the general consensusthat a W.O.’s lockets were thesame size and pattern as thatof Other Ranks but with thefemale buckle (WELSH GUARDS)being plated silver or chromed.In actual fact on the now veryfamous photograph of the1920 Battalion staff pictured inWellington Barracks, threeSenior Warrant Officers WO1RSM W.Stevenson, (Reg No 1)WO2 J/D/Sgt S.J.Dunkley (RegNo 351) and WO2 S/D/Sgt P.H.Roberts (Reg No 15) can beseen (you will need a goodmagnifying glass) wearing aslightly smaller design with theshoulders of the lockets morecurved or arched. The width ofa sword belt is slightlynarrower than O.R.’s. On aphotograph taken in 1975 ofthe Sergeants’ Mess biddingfarewell to HRH Prince Philipon leaving the Welsh Guards totake up Colonel of TheGrenadier Guards before HRHPrince Charles Prince of Walestook over, the CSM of POW’sCompany is WO2 Len Davies(23523062), who is wearingthe very same first Issuelockets. Len still has that set oflockets to date. It is stamped

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on the rear to signify the thirdset ever made. I wonder whohad Stevo’s?

In recent years, an unusedpristine set of these locketswere purchased off theinternet auction site by(22831407) ex Drummer Boy,Guardsman and careerPoliceman Ken Hughes anardent collector of Brigade ofGuards ephemera and whohas kindly allowed me tophotograph the itemsincluded. Over the years Kenhas been very generous to theCollection and assures me thatthese treasures will come backhome eventually.

Another badge that causesmuch discussion is the1939issue Foreign Service helmetdevice/badge. Usually referredto as the pagaree badge. Thepagaree or pugaree is the clothwound around the base of thehelmet. Another point ofdiscussion is the amount oftimes this material waswrapped around the helmet,ie, three wraps for the Scotsetc, but I can assure you therewas no difference to indicateany particular Regiment. Whatwe do know, from evidencetaken from black and whitephotographs during the shorttime they were used inGibraltar 1939 beforeembarking to France at theoutbreak of the 2nd WW, is thesizes of Officers and O.R’s werethe same. It would have had aslider at the rear to fastenbehind the pagaree, and,because there weren’t anycolour photographs, we canonly surmise O.R’s wererelieved and a small patch ofred material secured behindand the Officers’ ones wouldprobably have been hot firedenamel. Ken again, has kindlyallowed me to photograph anexhibit he recent purchasedfrom abroad. This exhibit is in

mint condition, having neverbeen issued. It makes youwonder how many more itemsof uniform are still out there ina suitcase in someone’s loft orbasement. I think the highlightof our achievements here wastwo years ago when The ArmyMuseums Ogilvy trust (AMATO)granted us accreditationstatus. This stamp of approvalwill and has already made ahuge difference to ouraccepted status within theArmy Museums across the U.K.When items become surplus toother Museums, we areincluded in the offers ofartefacts and display items. Anexample was earlier in the yearRob Edwards 52 and myselftravelled down to Hythe to theMuseum of the REME, whowere undergoing a move toanother site after receiving NHLfunding, to give us some lovelydisplay cabinets. One of which,we are now in the process ofbuilding an account of our twotours of Afghanistan. I hope tohave them completed by thebeginning of next season.

One of the down sides torunning a Museum staffedonly by volunteers. We are allgetting older and some havefound it difficult to committheir spare time any more.Recruitment of new staff is, tobe honest, a nightmarebecause we try to stay open 5or 6 hours a day 7 days a week.Besides Welsh Guardsmen weare blessed with some veryspecial ex servicemen andcivilians who, without theircontinued support I have toadmit we could not stay open.So, without sounding toomuch like a stuck record, if youfind you could help us out asfar as manning is concerned Iwould dearly love to hear fromyou. It is a labour of love.

Finally you may be able to helpme. The last photograph showsa pressed copper early pattern

1. The top three W.O.’s and Adjt, WAFL Fox-Pitt 1999.

2. First Issue 1919.3. One of several ideas,

14K gold plated and enamelled.4. An unknown new badge

alongside a Drum Major’s badge, 1945 - 2000.

5. A Worseley foreign service helmet, circa 1929, Cairo.

6. Unknown Regimental copper plate.

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of our Regimental crest. It isapproximately 6" x 4"anddoesn’t have any means ofsupporting itself in the way ofclips or screws. It will beinteresting to see if we candiscover what it was made forand when. Please give me acall and I look forward tohearing from you.

Warmest regardsStan 67.

THE ASSOCIATIONBATTLEFIELD TOUR10TH – 14TH SEPTEMBER 2016Brigadier Rickett CBE

The first thing we did was topresent Dorus, the owner ofthe hotel, with a mountedminiature copy of theRegimental Colours, inappreciation for all he hasdone for the Welsh GuardsAssociation in the past. Heappeared extremely movedand emotional, and by the timewe arrived for breakfast thefollowing morning, the Colourshad pride of place on the wallnear Reception.

The welcome we received atHechtel on Sunday morningwas quite outstanding andafter the lovely service at the

We all made it to the RV at Pirbright on time on themorning of 10th September, and after a long and

very tiring journey, thankfully not disrupted by Frenchlorry drivers, who had threatened to block all motorwaysaround Calais; we arrived safely at The Watermolen, ourlovely hotel at Bocholt.

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church, conducted in Flemishand English, and accompaniedby an excellent young butprofessional soundingorchestra, we marched to thetown cemetery, where wreathswere laid in the usual manner.This was followed by speechesgiven by the Mayor and repliedto by Brigadier Rickett, wherethe Sherman Tank has beenplaced in the centre of thetown. We were then given awonderful barbecued lunchwith lots of wine before we allrolled off to complete theceremonies of the day at theCWGC Cemetery at Bourg

1. CWGC Cemetary at Bourg Leopold.

2. Brig. Johhny presenting Dorus with a copy of the Regimental Colours.

3. Battlefield Tour Group.4. Brig. Johnny, having a ‘Sax’

lesson.

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Leopold and in the woodsaround Hechtel, wheremembers of the BelgianResistance and two RAF crewmembers had been shot in1944. All this had only beenmade possible by the ‘Mayor'sPass’ hung on the mirror of thebus, as if going on to a ferry,since the roads all around thearea had been closed due to avery noisy Air Show, whichtook place throughout theafternoon.

The next two days weredevoted to touring theArdennes to study the Battle ofthe Bulge, where we followedKampfgruppe Peiper'sadvance during the first threedays of the battle in 1944,which included seeing a KingTiger tank in pristine condition.On the second day wefollowed the events atBastogne, the sealing of the"Bulge" at Houfelaze by the 1stand 3rd US Armies and theactions carried out by theBritish 30th Corps during thislong battle. We visited the

CWGC Cemetery at Hotton andfollowed the German advanceas far as Celles, where there is aPanther tank outside a cafe,appropriately called "the tank!”denoting the high water markof the German offensive. Finallywe looked at a small memorialon the River Meuse at Dinant,showing the extent of theoperations carried out bySkorzeny's patrols, which hadcreated quite a lot of havocbehind the Allied linesthroughout the battle.

Our final evening was spent inan excellent restaurant inDinant, outside of which thereis a monument to honourAdolphe Sax, who invented thesaxophone, for which Dinant isso famous. After much singingand bonhomie we retired tobed, utterly exhausted beforesadly returning to Pirbrightvery early the next day. We hadbeen blessed by the mostwonderful weatherthroughout the tour, whichcertainly helped to keepmorale sky high.

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THE LLANELLIWAR MEMORIALMajor John HardingPresident of the Llanelli Branch

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenantof Dyfed, Miss Sarah ElinorEdwards, unveiled thememorial in the presence ofsenior representatives from allthree armed services; the MPfor Llanelli Nia Griffith: theMayor of Llanelli and otherlocal dignitaries together withmany former servicemen andother members of the publicincluding Mr Ian Kirkpatrick,the moving force and fundraiser behind this project,whose son Cpl. JamieKirkpatrick was killed inAfghanistan while serving withthe Royal Engineers.

The Revd. Aled Huw Thomas,former Senior Army Chaplain,Wales dedicated the memorialand the Welcome Address andKohima Epitaph were deliveredby Lt. Col (Retd.) DA Mathias DL.

The two Welsh Guardsmenwhose names are nowinscribed on the memorial’sRoll of Honour are L/Cpl. NDMThomas and Gdsm. EJ Phillips

The Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony of the newLlanelli War Memorial to commemorate the lives of

fifteen Llanelli servicemen killed in action in varioustheatres of war since the end of the Second World Wartook place on Friday 4th November 2016 at the MemorialGarden Llanelli.

both killed in action on 8 June1982 on Sir Galahad, FalklandsCampaign.

The Regiment was representedby a uniformed detachmentfrom the Battalion; Brian Keanethe Secretary General of theAssociation, and Mrs SandraKeane; eleven members of theLlanelli & CarmarthenshireBranch of the Associationincluding the President (wholaid a wreath on behalf of theWelsh Guards), the Hon.Secretary Alan Cunningham,the Hon. Treasurer VernonJones and Andrew Brown whocarried the Branch Standard.

Other members of the LlanelliBranch attending theceremony were Roy Copson,Howard Davies, Tony Davies,Ken Frederickson, Glyn Jones,David Stacey and Dai Thomas.

Attended but not in picture Brian & Sandra Keane also Ken & Margaret Fredrickson.

He worked underground forfour years, suffered threeaccidents at the coal face anddecided to leave and take up afriend’s offer to join him inLuton as a painter anddecorator working on privateand commercial premises.

His next move to Resolven nearNeath was a major turningpoint in his life, he worked at anew aluminium works as apainter and decorator and itwas there that he met his futurewife. They married in 1941when Gilbert was GuardsmanPriddy having enlisted in June1940.

He joined the 3rd Battalion andin February 1943 went toTunisia, a land of ruggedmountains, rocky hills on whichdefenders had an advantageover opponents greater innumbers. There were to bemany battles ahead and Gilbertremembers his first which hesays was his hardest, Fondouk.

In February 1944 the Battalionlanded in Naples and four dayslater were in action at MonteCerasola the summit of whichwas described as “a confusedmass of bare rocks.” Gilbert waswounded in the left leg byshrapnel and spent threemonths in hospitals in Naplesand on the Adriatic Coast beforereturning to Britain where hewas treated in Chester andconvalesced in Stoke on Trent.

He then went to the TrainingBattalion at Sandown ParkRacecourse, Esher and finally asa Full Sergeant to the Guards

Depot, Caterham. He wasdemobilised in 1946, returnedto his former employers inResolven and then worked for acompany in Avonmouth beforetransferring to Henry Willcock &Co where he worked for 32years as a painter, retiring in1981. The company Gilbert says“built cathedrals, libraries,factories, universities,warehouses, hotels, banks,schools, shops and hospitals.”

Having settled in Bristol Gilbertbecame active in the South WestEngland Branch of theAssociation and in the 1950swas its Treasurer. Thanks to thefriendship and support ofMervyn Delve, chairman of theMonmouthshire Branch of theAssociation and his wife Gillwho also live in the Bristol area,Gilbert regularly attendsmeetings and functions of theBranch. He often meets withanother 3rd Battalion man, BillPowell (2739251) of Cwmbran,close friends who vividly recallwith pride their time with afamous Battalion formed in thewar and disbanded shortlyafter it ended.

On the 2nd of June 2016,Mervyn and Gill, Bill Powell,Steve Liversage, Roy Lewis andRon Oliver of the Branch withAssociation Secretary GeneralBrian Keane and three servingGuardsmen in tunic orderrepresented the Regiment atGilbert’s home to celebrate his100th birthday. It was a greatoccasion and BBC Westtelevision and Radio Bristol werethere to cover a memorable day.

GILBERT PRIDDY - 100 NOT OUT!Roy Lewis

Gilbert Priddy (2736881) was born in the RhonddaValley on June 2nd 1916. His father who died when

Gilbert was seven years of age and his brother wereminers and Gilbert joined them in Cambrian Colliery,Clydach Vale when he was fourteen.

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1. The Regimental Party onGilbert’s great day. The 100 year old is second from the left.

2. On a sunny day, Gilbert is escorted by Mervyn Delve to his right and Steve Liversage tohis left.

3. Steve Liversage presents the birthday cake to Gilbert, whose3rd Battalion friend, Bill Powellis on his left.

4. The very special Centenary cake.

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WALK ON WALES 2016Second Lieutenant G F ElletsonOfficer Commanding Number Five Platoon,Number Two Company

As a result, Jan and Dai arekeenly aware of thedevastating impact that activeservice can have on soldiersand their families, as they copewith bereavement, life-changing injuries or the long-term effects of psychologicaltrauma. The vision for Walk onWales is:

• to remember and acknowledge the contribution of the 50 WelshGuardsmen who have died on active service since the end of World War II, and

• to create a legacy today for the veterans of tomorrow, by raising £1 million for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal and Combat Stress.

This year’s walk startedMonday 6 June at SedburyCliffs with a long walk throughthe hills of the Wye Valley. Thewalkers were joined on this legby the Regimental Adjutant,who set the pace from the startand provided an update onRegimental news. Everyonewas welcomed into theMonmouth campsite bycurrently serving members ofNumber Two Company. Underthe supervision of LanceSergeant Small, GuardsmenDean, Sullivan and Turner wereon hand to set up tents, tendto blisters, prepare hot drinksand provide moral support.This developed into a patternthroughout the twelve days ofwalking with every morningseeing the team pack up andleapfrog so that they were

The Walk on Wales concept was dreamt up by twoveteran Welsh Guards, Jan Koops and David (Dai)

Graham, both of whom served in the Falklands War.

ready to receive the weary atthe next campsite.

Wednesday 8 June wasparticularly poignant for manyin attendance as it marked the34th anniversary of thebombing of the Sir Galahad.The walkers stopped for ashort moment of reflection onthe way to Hay-on-Wye andshared some words about theimportance of rememberingthose that were killed andwounded on the ship.

To emphasise the importanceof remembrance, a batoncommissioned tocommemorate all WelshGuardsmen who have beenkilled since 1945, was carriedthroughout the event. Thisbaton was carried across theworld in 2015 as part of theRegiment’s centenarycelebrations, Welsh Guards100.

The Walk ended in PrestatynFriday 17 June. The followingday the expedition wasfinished with a church servicein Wrexham to honour thosewho were killed and woundedin The Falklands War.

1. Second Lieutenant Elletson, Lance Sergeant Small and Guardsmen Sullivan and Turner with the Regimental Adjutant and the rest of the group before they began their journey along Offa’s Dyke.

2. The Regimental Adjutant with Members of Walking Wales leaving Chepstow.

3. Jan Koops and members of theteam near Welshpool.

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SOUTH WALES POLICECHARITY BOXING EVENTWO1 (RSM) CA Taylor

On Sat 12 Nov 2016 the eventtook place at the Vale Hotel, ledby Gareth Owens, the eventorganiser and supportedheavily by Stuart and AlisonElson.

The Regimental Sergeant Majorwas invited to attend assistedby LCpl Armstrong, whoplayed the Last Postimpressively on the Bugle inCeremonial Guard order priorto the start of the boxing whichadded a dignified significanceto the remembrance weekend.

LCpl Morgan and GdsmWilliams 63 were also in

ASouth Wales Police Charity Boxing event takes placeeach year to support a number of Charities, one of

them being the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal as partof the Welsh Guards Charity.

attendance and representedthe Battalion suitably

An impressive display ofcourage from all fighterspictured above that steppedinto the ring to all in the nameof Charity. One of the Awardsamong others was the ‘DaneElson Memorial Trophy’pictured.

The very first bout was led byStuart ‘The Falcon’ Elson whowas key in the build-up andtraining of the team anddemonstrating one of thevalues of Leadership,’ Lead byExample’, bravely fighting

through the rounds andcheered on by all with Alison’sclose support.

The event was a great successand a fantastic amount ofmoney raised by the fighters,the donation and the auctionthat took place on the evening.The RSM was proud to accept acheque on behalf of theRegiment by the eventorganiser Gareth Owens.

A short speech took place toreinforce the relationship of theSouth Wales Police Force andthe Welsh Guards after manythat have served since 1915.During WW1 93 police officerstransferred into the Battalionand many of these gave theultimate sacrifice. TheCentennial of the Welsh Guardswas also mentioned with thelinks to the Rugby matchbetween the Welsh Guards andthe South Wales Police, thePresentation of New Colours in

which the Chief Constableattended, who, along withMajor Salisbury also laid awreath on Remembrance day.

The Welsh Guards Charity.

With the cessation of BritishArmy combat operations inAfghanistan the RegimentalTrustees and with it theestablishment of one singlecharity (as opposed to three) in2014 called the Welsh GuardsCharity, the Trustees believed itwould be more appropriate tofocus any future fund raisingaway from Afghanistan towider Regimental welfare.Welfare funds either from theWG Charity or the WGAA arestill directed to those in need,whether having served inAfghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, NI,the Falkland’s or otheroperations. Tens of thousandshave been dispersed this yearalready on a wide variety ofneeds. Examples have included

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the provision of wheelchairs,home improvements for WGdisabled personnel WIA fromAfghanistan, payment forcivilian courses to allowmedically discharged WG togain employment in civystreet, respite holidays andweekend breaks for bereavedfamilies, support to funerals,travel expenses for woundednot covered by MOD. The WelshGuards Centenary 2015 SpecialEvents website gives theformal objectives of the WGCharity and quotes from thosewho have received help, Inaddition given the generosityof so many, the Regiment havesince Feb 14 been able toemploy a full time RegimentalCasualties officer. He is aformer WG WO2, Jiffy Myerswith wide experience onwelfare matters whilst servingand was awarded the MBE forhis output and welfareachievements whilst servingwith the battalion andparticularly for the battalionsfirst operational tour toAfghanistan. He has made ahuge difference in supportingour wounded and bereavedand now has 120 former andserving WG on his books whohe is in contact with. Anysupport received will go tocontinue those in the Regimentin need, whether physically ormentally affected byoperations.

Finally, a mention of what theBattalion are now focussedtowards, and that is of course atransition to their new role ofLight Mechanised Infantry andthe Very High readiness todeploy where ever we areneeded from 1 Mar 2017.

1. The Dane Elson Memorial Trophy.

2. Stuart ‘The Falcon’ Elson.3. The Regimental Sergeant

Major WO1 Carl Taylor picture with his wife Tracey, Stuart and Alison Elson.

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE RVOR

THE WELSH GUARDSCHARITY AND REGIMENTALWELFARE SUPPORTMr Jiffy MyersRegimental Veterans Officer

There are a number of ways inwhich Welfare Support isprovided. The first is throughthe Welsh Guards Charity -Registered Charity Number:1152766

Welsh Guards Charity

The Welsh Guards Charity hastwo main funds. The WelfareFund and Afghanistan Appeal.Income is generated in anumber of different ways. Itregularly receives donationsfrom fundraising, the Soldier’sOne Day’s Pay Scheme,businesses and otherorganisations. The Regimentalso has a portfolio ofinvestments from pastdonations. These investmentsprovide a financial return,allowing the Regiment toprovide support for the yearsto come.

The objectives of the Charityare:

1. To promote the efficiencyof the Welsh Guards.

2. To commemorate or remember members or former members of the Welsh Guards.

3. To relieve persons servingor who have served in the Welsh Guards and their dependents in need, hardship or distress.

4. To advance the educationof the public in the history, deeds, traditions and role of the Welsh Guards.

To achieve the aboveobjectives, the Regimentprovides welfare support in anumber of different ways. Forthose who are serving, the Unit

Welfare Officer is their firstpoint of contact with regardsto any welfare matters. Forthose who are no longerserving, their dependents andour bereaved families, theRegimental Veterans Officer istheir first point of contact.

The Regiment providesfinancial support by issuinggrants from either the WelfareFund or Afghanistan Appeal, toorganisations in support ofindividuals who are in need. Atthe time of writing, sinceJanuary 2016, the Regimenthas provided 56 grants,totaling £48,106. Theassessments for these grantsare, in most cases, carried outby external charities e.g. SSAFAand The Royal British Legion.Applications are processedthrough the COBSEO CaseManagement system. TheWelsh Guards Charity providesgrants alongside other ServiceCharities, working together insupport of an individual’sneeds.

All of the applications aretreated with the strictest ofconfidence and are notpublished. Some examples ofwhat the Regiment has

provided grants for are asfollows:

• Home adaptations to support injured or handicapped veterans and spouses.

• Respite breaks for bereaved families.

• Transport costs for injured soldiers, veterans and bereaved families.

• Disability aids.

• National Memorials and pilgrimages.

• Essential household items.

• Food vouchers.

• Accommodation costs.

• Medical costs.

• Course – Re-training fees for injured Veterans.

• Essential housing repairs.

To apply for financial supportfrom the Regiment, contact theUnit Welfare Officer (for thoseserving) or the RegimentalVeterans Officer. Alternatively,contact SSAFA or the RoyalBritish Legion and ask for acaseworker to be allocated.

The aim of this article is to inform you about how theRegiment supports its serving soldiers, veterans,

dependents and bereaved families.

Members of the Corps of Drumshelping out with alterations to aninjured Veteran’s home, funded bythe Welsh Guards Charity.

RVOR 101

Regimental Veterans Officer

The Regimental VeteransOfficer is a role that is fundedby the Regiment to support allveterans of the Welsh Guards,their dependents andBereaved families. Initiallycalled the RegimentalCasualties Officer, it wasdecided to change the title formore clarity. Jiffy Myers hasbeen employed in this rolesince February 2014. Prior tothis appointment, he served inthe Unit Welfare Office for 6years during the Battalion’sOperational Deployments toIraq, Bosnia, Kosovo andAfghanistan.

At the time of writing, sinceJanuary 2016, the RVO hasconducted over 70 individualhome visits to injured soldiers,bereaved family members,hospitalised veterans, veterans

in retirement homes andserving soldiers. Some visitsare just a friendly chat butothers are for referringindividuals for specialisttreatment or support etc.

The RVO’s work is usuallyconfidential. However, inAugust this year a case wasbrought to the attention of thepress and social media.

A Welsh Guards veteran hadbeen injured in Thailand andwas on life support. His familywere desperate to get himhome to Wales for treatment.The RVO was contacted andwith the support of RHQ,Serving Soldiers, Veterans ofthe Regiment, the WelshGuards Charity and otherService Charities, managed toarrange a medical evacuationof the injured veteran

The RVO has assisted WelshGuardsmen findaccommodation, employmentopportunities, funding forcourses, specialist medicaltreatment, grants for essentialitems and provides a listeningear for those who just want achat. Some soldiers that leavethe Regiment can find lifeoutside of the Army difficult toadapt to and some may sufferwith mental health problemsrelating to their service. Therole of the RVO is to supportthose individuals.

The RVO can be contactedon 07456 985727 or email:[email protected]

Facebook – Welsh GuardsRegimental Veterans Officer

1. The RVO visiting LCpl Geraint Hillard, a veteran injured in Afghanistan.

2. The veteran’s family and Doctors saying thank you.

3. Welsh Guards veterans being supported by Jones Brothers.

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RVOR WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

BRANCH REPORTS


WELSH GUARDS ASSOCATION

President: Colonel T C C BonasVice Presidents: Brigadier J F C Rickett CBETreasurer: RQMS S BoikaSecretary General: B Keane Esq.

Maindy Barracks, Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3YE

Telephone: 029 2072 6196E-mail: [email protected]

After the nonstop activities of 2015 when the Regimentcelebrated its centenary, 2016 followed in like a lamb,giving us time to regroup and take stock of where we are.

Sadly, the younger generationdo not appear to enjoy thecamaraderie of actuallymeeting fellow WelshGuardsmen face to face, butrather communicate via socialmedia. I accept this is a sign ofthe times and we must moveon, but so much is being lostby not meeting up over a drinkor two, reminiscing andkeeping the Association alive.

St David’s Day was the firstmajor event involving theAssociation and the Battalionkindly invited us to join them atPirbright. On a cold, dampmorning, we were soonwarmed with hot drinks andWelsh cakes and it was good tosee many members takingpart in the ‘march past’.

The AGM continues to be heldat Maindy Barracks, Cardiffduring the month of May. Thishas proved to be an excellentand popular venue since theincreasing cost of travel andaccommodation in London,has now made it too expensivefor many people.

CARDIFF BRANCH(Formed 1919)

President: Colonel C J DawnayChairman: David W Parry (22831847)Treasurer: Bill Morris (22217619)Secretary: Terry O’Shea (24047142)

Following on from our centenary year, it is right tomention that it ended with our Christmas lunch.

During July, the Battalioninvited the Association to their‘Families’ Day’ in Pirbright, andthere were sufficientAssociation members and theirpartners to warrant a coachfrom Maindy Barracks toattend. The weather wasextremely kind to us and thewelcome from the Battalionwas second to none – thanksto everyone involved in makingthe day such a success.

The Battlefield Tour Groupvisited Hechtel in September,but was tinged with sadnesssince our last two survivingveterans of the battle forHechtel, namely Arthur Blandand Ray Cumbley, sadly diedearlier in the year, although Iam sure we all felt their spiritwith us. R.I.P.

The tour continued on to theBattle of the Bulge and, underthe direction of an excellentguide of that area, BrigadierJohnny Rickett, we had an indepth insight into thestrategies and ultimate fall ofthe German Army. It was alsofascinating to actually see theremains of the Siegfried Linestill snaking through the

forests like concrete daleks.Our sincere thanks go to theBrigadier and Mrs Rickett forgiving up their time soselflessly and making the tourone to remember.

The annual “clash of the titans”at the Darts and Shootingcompetition in September wasreally well supported,especially by our youngermembers, who brought withthem a breath of fresh air.

I wish to reiterate my thanks toeveryone for their continuedsupport to Association events.

A lot of organizing goes intoarranging these, but madeworthwhile when so manypeople turn up

Last but not least, again atremendous thanks to allBranch Secretaries - withouttheir help the Associationwould fold.

I wish you and your families ahappy, healthy and contented2017 and look forward toseeing you then.

Brian KeaneSecretary GeneralWelsh Guards Association

We were joined by the BranchPresident, Colonel CharlesDawnay, and his charmingwife, Mrs Dawnay. This eventrounded off a memorable yearfor all.

Our first event in 2016 was StDavid’s Day, celebrated asguests of the Battalion atElizabeth Barracks, Pirbright.This venue brought back manymemories from our oldermembers who served there inyears gone by. Stories were re-told and reminiscedthroughout the day.

Although this was a muchquieter year, time went by

quickly as we went frommeeting to meeting. Members,together with our BranchStandard represented theBranch at funerals, memorialservices and other militaryevents in Cardiff and beyond.

The Darts and Shootingcompetition in September atMaindy Barracks, was a greatsuccess, thanks to the hardwork of Brian Keane, SergeantJury and the Recruiting Team.

This year, a team from theBattalion also joined us at this‘fun day’ out and I sincerelyhope this will continue in yearsto come.

BRANCH REPORTS 103

Sadly, the Cardiff Branch wasunsuccessful in winning anysilver this time, but ‘we’ll beback’!

At the time of writing, we findourselves preparing to attendvarious ceremonies to pay ourrespects to the fallen in allwars and conflicts. At Cathay’sPark, we will lay wreaths at the

Falklands Memorial and thenat the National Memorial at theAnnual Remembrance Service.

On behalf of our President,Branch Officers and membersof the Cardiff Branch, we wisheveryone in the Welsh Guardsfamily a Merry Christmas and ahappy, healthy New Year.

St David’s Day with theBattalion at Pirbright was wellattended, many travelling bycoach from Maindy Barracks,arranged and paid for by theAssociation. After a damp start,the weather cleared, allowingmany Association members tomarch behind the Battalion, tothe music of the Welsh GuardsBand.

The Branch held a ‘FormalDinner’ at the Gelliwasted Clubon Sunday May 1st, which waswell attended and I ampleased to report that theentertainment was good.

Our Chairman of over thirtyyears, Howard Maine,informed us earlier in the yearhe wished to retire, due to illhealth. We all agreed that hewould be a hard act to follow,and decided to shareresponsibilities of the Chairbetween Dai Gaule and Tony

Ken Haines buying the first round?

Morgan and, to date, they aredoing an excellent job. A hugethanks go to Howard for all hishard work over the years,especially from me, since hewas always there when Ineeded help and support.

In May, our President, ColonelMacdonald-Milner retired andsuggested his son take overthe reins from him. I ampleased to report that this wasaccepted by Colonel Bonas andof course, by Captain TomMacdonald-Milner. Our thanksare extended to ColonelMacdonald-Milner for all theyears he supported the Branch.

Sadly, due to various reasonsthe Branch did not attendImber Court this year, buthopefully it will be once againestablished in 2017.

A Falklands Parade was held inthe park in June, but wecouldn’t muster a very big turn

–out. I am sure we will be ableto improve on this next year.

July saw members attendingthe Families Day at Pirbrightwith free transport arrangedfrom Maindy Barracks,courtesy of the Association.The weather was fantastic andthe day superb, with plenty ofentertainment, various stallsand a vast choice of food onoffer. Well done to everyoneinvolved.

The Darts and Shoot in MaindyBarracks, Cardiff was again anoutstanding success, thanks tothe hard work of Brian Keane. Itis an enjoyable day foreveryone, but particularly forthe East Glamorgan Branch thisyear since we collected a fairbit of silver. Brian Owen wastop score in the Shooting andAllan Thomas, top score inDarts. The teams consisted ofBrian Owen, Tony Morgan,

Allan Thomas, Craig Gaule and John Little.

Next on the agenda is a fourday trip in November, toinclude the NationalArboretum. This has proved tobe very popular since ourcoach filled up almostimmediately. I am sureeveryone will have a goodtime, especially having theopportunity to pay theirrespects at the Arboretum

It just leaves me to say a very bigthank you to all our members inthe East Glamorgan Branch andalso to Kevin Jury from theRecruiting Team who hasprovided us with Guardsmen onthe few occasions when werequested them.

Again, a big thank you to BrianKeane for all the unstintingwork he does for theAssociation and also the helpand advice when needed.

EAST GLAMORGAN BRANCH(Formed 1920)

President: Lt. Col. T C Macdonald-MilnerChairman: D Gaule (24141887)/T MorganTreasurer: W John Hooper (24364279)Secretary: Ken Haines (23523287)

Trevone, Duffryn RoadRhydfelinPontypridd CF39 5RU

Telephone: 01443 492316

In January, we began the year with a concert at the Club,which included an Irish Band. They went down like a leadballoon, so the least said the better – suffice to say thatthey will no longer be made welcome in the valleys!

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BRANCH REPORTS WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

It will be interesting to knowwhat the chosen name of thenew wood will be.

A few members from theBranch attended the verymoving service at Hay-on Wyein ‘Remembrance to the Fallenin the Somme.’

Next came a 5-day Battlefieldtour by the Branch to Belgium(a full report and pictures canbe seen in the magazine). Allwho assisted the Secretary invarious ways had a PoppyCross laid at various Memorialsas a way of thanks.

Then on to the Darts & Shoot.The Branch carried away thetrophies for the GerryGreenstock Cup and the DartsCompetition. It was nice to seethe Battalion field a team, and Ihope this will become a norm.This is one way of cementingrelations with Battalion andAssociation and will increasethe numbers attending overtime. I believe a great day washad, with only one grumble Iheard - which suggested wego back to original targets andnot the ones that were used onthis occasion. Thanks to allthose who worked hard to putthis event on.

To all our members who are onthe sick list we send yousincere wishes for a speedyrecovery.

Can I appeal to all membersand supporters of the Branchto think of raising their subsand donations for the comingyear? By doing so will enablethe Branch to subsidise theimportant events that comeabout now and again.

My thanks as Secretary goes toall those that support theBranch financially, to my fellowOfficers and the members fortheir continued support.

Just to finish, our Branch willbe holding their Christmaslunch on Sunday 4th December2016 venue yet to beconfirmed. All are welcome,please e-mail or telephone meif you wish to attend.

Meeting for the Branch for2017 are as follows:

On the second Wednesdayof the Month Wednesday 8thFebruary (AGM) April 12th,June 14th, August 9th,October 11th, andDecember 13th.

LONDON BRANCH(Formed 1926)

President: Lieutenant Colonel C F B StephensChairman: A. H. Doughty. BEM (2741552)Treasurer: Douglas Wilcox. (2739697)Secretary: Jeff Heenan. (23523251)

27 Mount Gardens, Harrogate North Yorkshire HG2 8BS

Tel: 01423 879326E-mail: [email protected]

Another quiet year for London Branch, we managed tohave our 2015 Christmas Party in December with anothersingalong Abba Group. This year’s 2016 Party will featurean Elvis Presley impersonator.

Unfortunately your secretary,was unable to attend last year’sparty, deciding to have severalvisits to local hospitals to enjoyadditions to the heart system -now ticking over quite well!

The visit to the Imber CourtMemorial did not take place in2016. However, our ChairmanRichard Doughty, along withour Associate Member RayIssacs attended with Ray's

LLANELLI BRANCH (Formed 1974)

President: Mr John HardingChairman: Keith Horrell (24838137)Treasurer: Vernon Jones (22217890)Secretary: Alan Cunningham (24125105)

19 Alden Drive, Cockett, Swansea SA2 0FHTelephone: 01792 554151 E-mail: [email protected]

Things have been really busy at the Branch this year.It began with a few members attended the Coed Las TreePlanting (Wood) with Major Karl Dawson, members of theBattalion and a few hundred cadets.

The photograph shows the Field Marshal advising Douglas how to“cut the cake” whilst your Hon. Secretary nervously watches Douglas“brandishing the knife!!

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WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE BRANCH REPORTS

friends. Ray very kindly looksafter the Memorial, it is hopedthat RHQ will arrange an ImberCourt Memorial Meeting in2017. We have always had avery warm welcome from theStaff at the Metropolitan PoliceSports Club, where theMemorial is situated.

Our Chairman continues to runthe yearly raffle, which keepsus afloat. We request Membersto pay our yearly subs at £5 peryear. You will requireMembership Cards whenvisiting Wellington Barracks.We continue to encouragemembers to keep in touch,possibly by email, letter or evenby phone.

Earlier this year we held asurprise 90th Birthday Partyfor our Treasurer DouglasWilcox. Over 40 plus guestsattended his party held in theGarrison Sgt's Mess by kindpermission of the Garrison SgtMajor. Douglas wasaccompanied by his wife Joyceand their family and friends.Doug served for 25 years andwas in Norway, Egypt andAden. Rising to the rank of(Superintendent Clerk)Regiment Sergeant Major, atRegimental HeadquartersWelsh Guards WellingtonBarracks London.

Our thanks to Brian and SandraKeane for all their help duringthe years, also to RQMS SteveBoika for his help andassistance during his time atRHQ and Maindy. Barracks. Notforgetting Yvonne and the staffat Regimental Headquarters.

Sadly several of our comradeshave passed to the paradeground in the sky, ourthoughts and condolences goto their loved ones.

Our thanks go to all ourHonorary Members, who havesupported London Branch overmany years.

Our next meeting is the AGMon Thursday 5th January 2017at 5pm. RHQ ConferenceRoom, Ground Floor. Names to Hon Secif you are attending please.

It was really good to meet upwith serving members fromaround Merthyr and somestories were exchanged. Someof us could not believe howmuch things have changed.

Members of the Branchattended the tree plantingweekend at Coes Ffos Las. Itwas a wonderful weekendwith the only dampener beingthe awful weather.

I went to the reunion for ‘TheSir Galahad’ in Swansea againthis year, although not as wellattended as in previous yearsas it coincided with anotherevent, there were some new

faces which was nice to see.Keep it up and see you nextyear.

Hay-on Wye commemoratingthe Battle of the Somme wasreally the next outing for theBranch which was a fantasticevent with thousands inattendance, a really good andwell thought out day.Congratulations to all thoseinvolved and a big thank yougoes out to our StandardBearer Mr Neville Hamer whoattends these events torepresent the Branch in allweathers. Thank you Nev.

The Branch was invited once

MERTHYR TYDFIL BRANCH(Formed 1953)

President: Captain Harry Legge-BourkeChairman: Tom Peters (23523035)Treasurer/Secretary: Errold Jones (24581438)

18 Marshall CrescentPenydarrenMerthyr Tydfil CF47 9JA

Telephone: 07903 417048E-mail: [email protected]

Our year really started with our trip to Pirbright for StDavid's Day with the Battalion, which was well attend bythe Branch and hopefully next year, even more memberswill attend after listening to our tales which have beentold over and over again!

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again this year to the CivicService for the incoming Mayorof Merthyr Tydfil. A Parade wasfollowed by a Church Servicethen ‘tea and Welsh Cakes,which went down very well. Itis nice for the Branch to beincluded in these events andhope it will continue into thefuture.

Well it's that time again - theDarts and Shoot in Cardiff.There was a very good turnoutincluding a team from theBattalion, so the atmospherewas electric !! The Branchmanaged to put together ateam this year and thoroughlyenjoyed everything about theday which included a few catchups, a few introductions andmore than a few beers.Although no trophies for theBranch (again) this year, theday was enjoyed by one andall. A big well done to BrianKeane, we know it’s not easymate but you pulled it offagain.

We are now thinking andgetting ready for theRemembrance Parades that go

on throughout the valley.Hopefully they will be as wellattended as they are everyyear.

Back in March the Branch lost avery good member and a closepersonal friend of mine MrBryn Satch. Although notofficially a Guardsman (WelshRegiment) he took to theAssociation like a secondfamily, my thoughts and thoseof the Branch go out to hisfamily.

Our thoughts and condolencesgo out to ALL the families andfriends of our sadly missedmembers. We would also liketo wish a speedy recovery toall those members who are notin the best of health.

Our meetings take place on the1st Monday of the month atthe ex-Servicemen’s Club,Lower High St, Merthyr Tydfilstarting approx 2000hrs.

Members, old and new, arealways met with a warmwelcome. Why not pop alongand exchange a few oldstories.

As with many other Branchesin the Association, the majorityof our members are well overthe age of seventy and again,as with other Branches, we arefinding it difficult to recruit newblood. We would be delightedto see more Welsh Guardsmenat our functions and hope thereare some out there living in theMidlands, who would like toget in touch.

Please feel free to telephone oremail me at any time.

We hope to carry on as aBranch but we are finding itincreasingly difficult to saythe least.

Best wishes and good healthare sent to members of theMidlands Branch, and also to allAssociation members for 2017.

Merthyr Tydfil Branch Secratary Errol Jones, with Graham Hurley andGeoffrey Peter Blaszkin and the Merthyr Branch Standard at Fitzroy 2007.

MONMOUTHSHIRE BRANCH(Formed 1920)

President: Captain D M DaviesChairman: Mervyn Delve (22831721)Treasurer/Secretary: Steve Liversage BEM (24141822)

7 Shaw Close, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6QQTelephone: 01495 302567 E mail: [email protected]

There were many events in 2016 to look back on withpleasure but there were sad moments too. For fourteenyears the Branch was led by Brigadier Thursby Pelhamour third President since the Branch was formed in 1920.

MIDLANDS BRANCH(Formed 1953)President: Captain T Macdonald-MilnerChairman: K Bartlett (23523202)Treasurer/Secretary: Jonathan Bayliss (23523208)

2 Weston Court, Long ComptonShipston on StourWarwickshire CV36 5JXTel: 01608 684834Email: [email protected]

The past year has been very quiet for us again.

The Annual Lunch was held on St David’ Day at a localcarvery pub in Worcester. Sadly our numbers havedwindled to 14, which included five members and theirpartners, and four guests – one of which was a Grenadier.

His passing along with ColonelEric Sturdy, Medical Officer tothe Battalion in Berlin in theearly 50s and John Tunley(2741085) of Ebbw Vale wasdeeply felt by us for they hadcontributed so much to ouraffairs in many and variedways.

Ray Cumbley (2736858) in hislater years, resident inCornwall, died aged 96 inAugust. He never failed toattend the Annual Dinner andthe Association BattlefieldTours, a great character, full ofstories of his days in the 2ndBattalion. He never mentioned

BRANCH REPORTS 107


that he was recommended fora decoration by his SquadronCommander, Captain PeterCazelet and the CommandingOfficer Lieutenant ColonelWindsor Lewis for his part in anaction at Visselhovede,Germany in April 1945.

On a happier note GilbertPriddy (2736881) our loyalmember who lives in Bristolcelebrated his 100th birthdayin June was pleasantlysurprised when four servingGuardsmen, Branch membersand the Association SecretaryGeneral Brian Keane turned upfor his party, among them afellow 3rd Battalion friend BillPowell (2739251) who servedin Italy with Gilbert. It was awonderful occasion which wasshown on BBC West news andcovered by Radio Bristol.

The October 2016 AnnualDinner fulfilled its purpose, areunion not only of WelshGuardsmen but their ladiesand families too in splendidsurroundings and a happy

atmosphere in the Angel Hotel,Abergavenny which has beennamed AA Hotel of the Year,Wales 2016/17.

It was our 37th successiveannual dinner at The Angel andthere were some present whohad attended every one. MajorT C Spencer Smith, on his homeground, responded to the toastto the Regiment and whobetter to do so than theCompany Commander ofPrince of Wales’s Company?

In 1967 the Branch President,Captain Spencer Herapathpresented the MonmouthshireBranch Trophy for WelshGuards Sportsman of the Yearto the Regimental LieutenantColonel, Brigadier ThursbyPelham. The first winner wasLance Sergeant David Bowenone of the finest rugby playersthe Regiment has had. Theaward was made on SaintDavid’s Day 1968 and everyyear since then a Sportsman ofthe Year has been nominatedby the Regiment.

The original trophy has beenshowing signs of wear and anew one was displayed at theAnnual Dinner when LanceCorporal Jamie Ryan, 1stBattalion was announcedWelsh Guards Sportsman ofthe year 2016 for hisachievements in boxing. Hewas the first coach to receivethe award and thoroughlydeserved it. Jamie and his wifefrom Llanelli enjoyed theirweekend in Abergavenny andadded considerably to theoccasion.

Our monthly meetings are heldevery second Thursday at TheAngel Hotel, Abergavenny inJanuary, April, May, July, August,October, November andDecember and at theConstitutional Club, Bargoed inMarch, June and September. TheAnnual General Meeting is heldin February at AbergavennyTown Hall followed by aMayor’s reception which isalways enjoyed by membersand their ladies.

The Spring Lunches at theMaes Manor Hotel inBlackwood and ChristmasLunches at Ebbw Vale RugbyClub are well attended, twomore opportunities to gettogether, tell tall tales andgenerally have a good time.Apart from the enjoyment wealso fulfil our policy to take theBranch to the members in asmany places we can in ourvery large catchment area.

A welcome addition to ourprogramme is an annual visitto Bristol to play skittles andenjoy ourselves with theGrenadiers and Coldstreamers.Their home base is theimpressive Port of Bristol SocialClub, not far from the SevernBridge and their hospitality isquite excellent. We are ofcourse neighbours and as aresult of our new links over theSevern fellow Guardsmen inBristol come to our AnnualDinner.

To everyone active in theBranch, our exiles, thoseunable to attend our functionsand to the serving Guardsmenof all ranks linked with theBranch we send our bestwishes for a happy and healthyyear to come.

Branch Secratary Mervyn Delve, presenting the Monmouth Branch Trophy to the Welsh GuardsSportsman of the Year, Lance Corporal Jamie Ryan.

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MONTGOMERY/SHROPSHIRE BRANCH

(Formed 1950)President: Mr R G P PlowdenChairman: Mr B John (23523171)Treasurer/Secretary: Mr J O Williams (23860183)

83 Balmoral CrescentOswestry Shropshire SY11 2XH

Telephone: 01691 653244 E mail: [email protected]

In Remembrance

Captain R J D (Ben) Parry1945 - 2015

In December 2015 I sadly hadto inform members thatCaptain RJD (Ben) Parry hadpassed away on Friday 4thDecember at the RoyalShrewsbury Hospital.

Ben was brought up in AsterlyShropshire and went to theMary Webb School atPontesbury. He was known tohide in the hedge on his way toschool whenever he saw a FoxHunt meeting and wouldfollow the hunt for as long ashe could for the rest of the day.

At the age of 15 Ben left schooland started work at CawsCastle Farm and apart fromlearning to drive a tractor healso learnt to appreciate thecountry and it is here that hislove of shooting and fishingreally started. In April 1963 atthe age of 17½ Ben joined theWelsh Guards and after hisbasic training at the GuardsDepot in Pirbright he joined theBattalion serving in Aden –Northern Ireland - Germany –Kenya and the Falkland Islands.During his time he was alsoposted to the Guards Depot,Pirbright and Sandhurst as aDrill Instructor. Ben was

serving as the RSM at the RoyalMilitary School of Music atKneller Hall before beingcommissioned in 1985 andserved in a number of posts,Families Officer, GunneryOfficer with the 1st BnGrenadier Guards and finally asthe OIC the Gunnery Wing atthe All Arms Training Centre inBAOR.

In 1966 while on leave afterreturning from Aden, Ben metDi at the Music Hall inShrewsbury, Ben told her thatit was his 21st birthday. Bencourted Di for a year beforepopping the question butwaited a further year beforethey were married on the 7thSeptember 1968.

On leaving the Army in 1992Ben joined the staff of HQ 143Brigade Midland District atCopthorne BarracksShrewsbury, as a RetiredOfficer, responsible forCentralized Training and at HQMidland District all trainingareas came under hiscommand and to his surprisehe discovered that the nearbyNesscliffe Camp had aflourishing military shoot. Hesoon became involved and wasin his element, it wasn’t longbefore he ended up running it.

At the same time Ben teamedup with Lt Col Brian MorganM.B.E and both became activemembers of the Associationtaking over the duties asBranch Secretary along withBrian who became the BranchTreasurer. They became veryactive in the Branch and soongot down to organising trips tothe Major General’s Rehearsals– Windsor Castle and of courseBranch luncheons. Ben’s timeat Kneller Hall was soon put togood use as he arranged carolsinging at the Christmasluncheons.

Ben always said that he wouldcarry out the duties ofSecretary until his retirementand, true to his word, after 20years in the post Ben officiallyhanded over his duties asBranch Secretary to me at ourAnnual Luncheon at theWroxeter Hotel Atcham on the5th July 2013.

Ben and Di enjoyed travellingaround Europe in their caravanand were looking forward tobeing able to visit vineyardslooking for the best claret wineof the region and enjoy thebeautiful countryside as theytravelled.

Sadly in January 2013 Ben’shealth had started todeteriorate but he was stilldetermined to go on a trip toFrance with a challenge he hadset himself, to cycle up thehardest part of the Tour deFrance and to cycle up MountVentoux. This was no meantask with failing health startingto get the better of him but Benwas determined to succeedand managed the gruellingclimb and bought the t-shirt tocelebrate his success andachievement.

On his return home Ben’shealth had furtherdeteriorated and he wasadmitted to hospital for tests.He was advised that he had atumour in his left lung andafter a few more visits tospecialists it was decided thebest option was to remove hisleft lung. Ben had further testsand chemo and radio therapytreatment and anotheroperation on his vocal chords.As usual he showed thegreatest courage andremained positive. RegrettablyBen was later informed thatthe cancer had returned andinfected his right lung. He wasadmitted to the RoyalShrewsbury Hospital andpassed away peacefully on the

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4th December with his familyat his bedside.

Ben’s private funeral servicetook place on Friday 18thDecember with family andclose friends at the ShrewsburyCrematorium followed by aService of Thanksgiving for theLife of Ben at the ShrewsburyTown Football StadiumFunction Room. Approximately400 attended to show theirrespects to Ben includingpeople he had met and madelasting friendships withthroughout his Army servicewith the Welsh Guards, histime at Sandhurst, Kneller Hall,the Grenadiers, the Associationand all the friends he hadmade during life.

The service was taken by RevMurry Mc Bride who had metBen during his service as theChaplin for the KSLI atCopthorne Bks Shrewsbury.

The eulogy was read byBrigadier J Rickett who hadbecome a close friend of thefamily and they enjoyed manyshoots with him nearCheltenham.

Ben was once referred to asthe quiet one, which is a niceway to describe Ben, a manwho also led by examplewhich had been his fortethroughout his successfularmy career, he also madelasting friendships with thepeople he met and workedwith and who was respectedby everyone he came incontact with.

Ben was a loving husband,father and grandfather, wholooked at him not only as akind grandfather but also agood mate!

Ben will be sadly missed butnot forgotten!

Our sincere condolences goout to his wife Di and his sonDaryl and family.

St David’s Day Luncheon.

The branch held its St David’sDay Luncheon at our usualvenue The Henllan NrWelshpool, on Sunday 29thFebruary. As always it was wellattended by Members andAssociate Members andfriends.

Excellent food, good company,what more can you ask for

Queen’s Birthday Parade

Members of the branchenjoyed a visit to London towatch the ceremony ofTrooping the Colour and theColonel’s Review. No 7Company Coldstream Guardstrooped their Colour under thewatchful eye of GarrisonSergeant Major Andrew Stokeswho took over from GSM BMott after last year’s Troopingthe Colour. GSM A J Stokes isoriginally from Shropshire.

The Welsh Guards wererepresented by the RegimentalMassed Band. Also taking partwere 43 men lining the routewith the Irish Guards on TheMall. Major C J Sergeant who iscurrently serving as the Secondin Command of the 1st BnColdstream Guards was theMajor of the Parade.

Branch Members whoattended the Colonels Reviewand the Queens BirthdayParade enjoyed the paradesand the weekend.

On the Monday morning a visitto RHQ at Wellington Barracksproved to be a lovely surprisewhen the 1st Bn Royal WelshRegiment were turned out inall their glory with Goat andthe Pioneers for theirRegiment’s Guard Mount.

Branch Meetings

The Branch continues to holdits meetings at the ShrewsburyBeaconsfield Club inShrewsbury. Meetings are

1. Captain R J D (Ben) Parry.2. John Davies with his wife Denise, enjoying the company of

Mike Astley and wife Linda.3. Dan Powell (right), with his wife Sheila (second left) and their friends,

enjoying the day.4. Garrison Sergeant Major WO1 A J Stokes.

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normally held every threemonths. The Club locationmakes it a good venue with afree car park and is just a shortwalking distance from the Busand Railway Station. The Clubalso has a good selection ofale. Please contact the BranchSecretary for dates, allwelcomed.

I would like to take this

opportunity on behalf ofmyself and the members of thecommittee to say a big thankyou to Branch members,Associate Members andfriends for their supportthroughout the year and wishyou all a Merry Christmas anda very Happy New Year.

1. Major C J Sergeant leading the march pass of the Parade for the Colonel’s Review of Trooping of the Colour 2016

2. Colours of the Royal Regiment of Wales with escort marching on parade to join the New Guard for Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace Guard on Monday 6th June 2016.

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NORTH OF ENGLAND BRANCH(Formed 1946)

President:Chairman: John Harding (23879339131)Treasurer: Arnold Brassey (24125038)Secretary: Keith Bonehill (22831043)

5 Halls Place,London Rd,Northwich,Cheshire,CW9 8BA


The Branch AGM. At the end of November, the committeemembers were elected to serve a further year. We are sorry tolose Keith Oultram as our President, who stepped down at theAGM. The Branch thanked him for his service during his term.

December, we had ourCentenary Lunch at The MecureHotel, Chester. Guests invited,were Lord Lieutenant ofCheshire, T.D.Briggs MBE, KSTJand the Lord Mayor &Mayoress, Councillor HugoDeynem and Mrs D Deynem,who enjoyed the lunch.

The photographs are of theCommittee Members, you willnote that John, giving hiswelcoming speech, hasmanaged to get the table

number in front of him,indicating that he is numberone! He is a Chairman parexcellence, keeps order andfollows up the meetings, abetter Chairman you could notwish for. Other members of theCommittee, I bring your noticeto – Mrs Patricia Harding & MrsJean Monteith, both ladies havelooked after us for a number ofyears, provided refreshmentsat meetings, year on year,bearing in mind John & Patricia

BRANCH REPORTS 111


travel from Rochdale everymonth to attend the meetings.

Barry Monteith, SocialSecretary, who works atorganising our Hot Pots &Lunches, getting the prizes,telephoning to round upeveryone for the occasions,without his efforts it wouldn’twork. Arnold Brassey, ourTreasurer, keeps an eye on thefinances and our StandardBearer, Les Thompson(22831397) holds the Standardwhen required and indeed isalso our photographer, hencehe didn’t manage to get himselfin the pictures, again thankedfor his efforts, as he travelsfrom the other side of Liverpool,Formby to attend. Withoutthese members giving theirtime, it would be a No Showindeed.

In June, we had our mid-yearLunch at the Mecure Hotel,which went very well, asalways thanks to Barry.

Members meet on the last

Sunday in the month at theCheshire RegimentsAssociation Mess at the Castle,Chester. We are indebted to theCRA for the privilege of meetingthere, and I suspect that all theBranch Secretaries would giveanything to have such premisesfor their meetings, the Roomsconsist of Mess, bar & stewardMichael Smith, who looks afterour needs. Two spaciousmeeting rooms with varioustables and a kitchen. Howevera dark cloud has appeared onthe horizon, CRA are finding thecost of running the building,heating & lighting etc. arebeginning to tell on thefinances. We are really the onlyassociation that uses thepremises regularly. So we willhave to see what will happenshortly.

We wish every Association andRegimental Member a splendidcoming year. Thanks to Staff atRHQ for their assistance whenrequested, keep well everyone.

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3. Left to right: Barry Montieth -Social Secretary, Keith Bonehill- Secretary, Lord Lt. T. DavidBriggs, Lord Mayor HugoDennem, John Harding - Chair,Les Thompson - Std Bearer.

4. Left, Mrs Patricia Harding,Right, Mrs Jean Montieth.

5. John Harding, Chairman.6. Arnold Brassey.

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NORTH WALES BRANCH(Formed 1936)

President: Captain A.C. HopkinsChairman: Graham Binnie (2406077)Treasurer: Allan Loose (24141839)Secretary: Maldwyn Jones (24263892)

Bulkeley ArmsUxbridge SquareMenai BridgeNorth Wales LL59 5DF


It has been a quiet 12 months in North Wales, followingsuch a busy schedule during the centenary year.

Both Bangor & Wrexhamsections finished off theCentenary Year with wellattended Christmas lunchesand they still continue to meeton the third Monday and firstThursday of the month.Wrexham continue to meet atthe War Memorial Club at19:00hrs, all from North EastWales are welcome to join us topull up a sandbag for a coupleof hours and catch up with oldfriends.

Bangor section have beenmeeting at the Waverly Hotel,Station Road. However, due toa change of management andthe way the venue is presentlyrun, which are attracting ayounger element, it is felt thatthe venue is no longer suitable,and are presently seeking anew location. Once we havesettled on a suitable venue

(and having a bar is obviously atop priority !), a notificationwill be published in theReunions section of the DailyPost.

The Wrexham FalklandMemorial weekend as always,remains well attended and it ispleasing to see new faces, thathave never attended in thepast, thoroughly enjoythemselves. It should be notedthough this is a ‘Memorialweekend’. I hear from manythat they feel they ‘can’t go’ asthey were not part of theFalkland campaign. Theweekend is NOT about thosewho went to the Falklands, it isabout those who neverreturned. It is an excellentfamily weekend and weremember only in a way WelshGuardsmen can. Everyone iswelcome.

The Falklands has become animportant event in theRegiment’s calendar, 2017being the 35th anniversary ofthe conflict and it will attractgreat numbers. The memorialservice now encompasses alltheatres of conflict and ourthoughts on that day are aboutthose who never returned,again all are welcome. Pleasebe mindful that hotel spaces inWrexham are quickly filling up.We look forward to seeing youall there.

Regular social gathering areheld in various locations alongthe North Wales coast andthese in the main areadvertised via our BranchFacebook page. If you are not amember look us up andrequest to join.www.facebook.com/groups/northwalesbranch/. Since itscreation, the page has helpedto attract new members to bemore actively involved with theBranch; it is great to have BillGuest-Rowlands of Bala back inthe fold, Croeso Bill. Also thepage is open to servingmembers of the Regiment. It isan excellent point of contactespecially if you are re-enteringcivilian life, plenty on board togive tips and advice on how tosurvive and also assist withemployment opportunities.

I make no apologies forrefusing joining requests from

non ‘North Walians’, I do notwant it to become anotherWelsh Guards group onFacebook, it is there purely tosupport the Branch. Ifmembers wish to invite you toany of our regular shindigs,that is not a problem, the morethe merrier.

Sadly not many membersattended the St David’s Daycelebrations in Pirbright.Although many of the oldermembers wanted to attend, ithas become cost prohibitive.None of us are getting anyyounger and would find itdifficult to journey there andback in a day. These events forus these days involves a twonight stay. I have obtainedcostings for 2017 and amhoping to lay on a coach.

Likewise with the Darts andShoots, hopefully we can get adecent team together for thenext meet.

It was pleasing to have theWelsh Guards Golf Society, holda meet in North Wales - thefirst in a very long time, if notthe first time, where theycompeted for the Eifion Jones98 Cup. My initial thoughtwhen they booked to play thelinks in Bangor was … oh dear!!! I had thought of blowing thedust off my clubs and playing,but decided against it as Iwould not have been able to

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carry enough golf balls to getme around the course!! I lookforward to reading MartynGriffiths 52’s report of the day.Hopefully 2017 they will returnnorth again to compete, whereNorth Wales Secretary willsponsor the Eifion Jones 98Cup.

In October the Branch madearrangements to visit the‘Weeping window’ Poppydisplay that first made itsappearance at the Tower ofLondon for WW1commemorations. The mainbulk of the poppies were soldoff and various militarycharities benefitted from theirsale. The display is presently onan UK tour calling at varyinglocations. The display will openat the National Assembly inCardiff from 5th August to 25thSeptember 2017, and may Isuggest to Branch Secretariesthat it is well worth a visit.Tickets are free and availableonline on the following website: www.1418now.org.uk/commissions/poppies/2017locations/ For those not in theSouth Wales area, the display isvisiting various locations allover the UK, probably at alocation which is commutable.Locations and full details areavailable on the web siteabove. Thanks goes to Phil‘Hen’ Williams 41 for being ourofficial photographer for theday and supplying us all with

memorable shots of whatturned out to be a fantasticday, thanks to all whoattended, from all over NorthWales and Shropshire Borders.

I would like to pass on thegratitude and thanks of theBranch to Sgt Peter Duffy andhis Recruiting Team here inNorth Wales. The teamregularly attend our meetingsand keep us appraised of whatthe Regiment is up to. Theyalso support funerals, whichfamilies of the bereaved havebeen extremely grateful. Peteand one of his men attended atCaernarfon Castle for theWeeping Window visit. TheGuardsman in full HSC washidden out of public view untilthe very last minute of thephoto shoot to prevent himbeing mobbed. Diolch yn fawrPete.

Finally, we wish everyone aMerry Christmas and a HappyNew Year and send our thanksand Best Wishes to allmembers of the Regiment,wherever you serve, also to allthe staff at RHQ and at MaindyBarracks.

1. Branch Secretary layinga cross.

2. Branch members at thecastle entrance.

3. ’Jam Boys’ R.V. at Castle Square.

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OGMORE BRANCH(Formed 1982)

President: Major A. DenmanChairman: Mr Paul Mockett MBE (22217125)Treasurer/Secretary Mr Mike Jones (23523201)

40 Garfield AvenueLitchardBridgend CF31 1QA

Telephone: 01656 – 650367E-mail: [email protected]

This year has been like “after the Lord Mayor’s Show”taking into consideration that last year, being ourCentenary Year, something was taking place literallyevery month. This year has been very low key with theexception of the volunteers who worked on thelandscaping at Ffos Las.

The Secretary attended theBranch Secretaries’ Meeting inMaindy Barracks on 16thFebruary. As ever it was aninformative meeting withmuch discussion between theBranch representatives andalso members of the Battalion.Our thanks go to SecretaryGeneral Brian Keane for thebuffet afterwards.

On St. David’s Day, a party of ustook to the road to visit theBattalion in Pirbright. It was anenjoyable day out over theborder, renewing oldacquaintances andremembering the old days.

Our AGM took place on March14th 2016 and Mr RichardMorgan (23877388) due to illhealth stood down asChairman and was replaced byMr Paul Mockett. MBE(22217125). Once again for theumpteenth year the remainingBranch Officials andCommittee Members were re-elected unopposed.

On 18th March 2016 we heldone of our Quiz / Fish & Chipnights at the WildmillCommunity Centre, where anentertaining evening was hadby both local Councillors andveterans alike. The questions

were set by Mr Roy Poland(22831222) and followed by ahearty helping of Fish & Chipsfrom the ‘Chippie’ next door.The proceeds were donated tothe Mayor’s Charity. We findthis a good way to keep incontact with both Councilsalike, especially as we have theFreedom of the Borough.

We held our Annual DinnerDance on Saturday 9th April, inthe Masonic Hall in Bridgendand once again there was ahealthy attendance sittingdown to dinner. The Guests ofHonour were the Mayor andMayoress of Bridgend CountyBorough, Lieutenant P. Razzallfrom the Regiment and theAssociation Secretary GeneralBrian Keane and his wifeSandra. We also had thepleasure of having twoGuardsmen from theRecruiting & Liaison Team inCardiff in HSC. We must thankour Ladies Section for their helpin setting up the Hall prior tothe event and also theManager and Chef for doing usproud in the cateringdepartment. We then enjoyedthe rest of the evening dancingto the music of our musicianDave Escott. He has attendedour Dinners for over a decade

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and has never let us down,brilliant!

Once again this year theAssociation AGM was held inCardiff on 24th May 2016 andonce again it was good to meetup on home soil. On purelyselfish grounds it means a lotless travelling. Despite this andall the IT gadgets available I stillthink meeting up face to face isthe only really good way tohave a conversation.

The Branch attended the “FlagRaising” Ceremonies in June inconjunction with the TownCouncil as has becomecustomary. We strive to attendand support the local Councilat all events taking place both

in Town and County Borough.

A coach load of us made ourmerry way back to Pirbright on23rd July 2016 for the Battalion‘Open Day’. It proved veryinteresting with the vast arrayof vehicles they will use in theirnew role in the Army Order ofBattle. Suffice to say we werespoiled by the amount andchoice of food on display, so abig thank you to the Battalion.

On 23rd September we heldour second Quiz Night/Fish &Chip evening where, onceagain we had a good eveningcourtesy of the Bridgend“Town Twinning Committee”. I am pleased to say that sincewe introduced them to the

Hechtel Council some three orfour years ago they havecontinued to communicateand hopefully anotherdelegation from Belgium willbe visiting us again shortly.

We turned up this year for theDarts and ShootingCompetitions on 24thSeptember 2016 in MaindyBarracks. Two members shortbut still full of optimismdespite the physical conditionof some of our aged players,which was soon to be dashedwhen we started thecompetition. Needless to saywe didn't reach a final or comenear the prizes and trophies.

Our Branch AnnualRemembrance Service wasagain held in Nolton Church,Bridgend on Sunday 16thOctober 2016 when we paidhomage to the fallen WelshGuardsmen from the Borough.There was a good turnout,supported by the BoroughMayor and Mayoress, localCouncillors and veterans alike.

On Remembrance Sunday, theBranch will again berepresented on the Parades inBridgend and Maesteg,Bridgend. Our Branch Standard

will again be on parade andPoppy Wreaths from theRegiment and the Branch willbe laid on the War Memorialsas usual.

We shall end the year with aSocial night instead of anofficial December meeting forwhat promises to be a goodnight. Food as ordered bymembers will be served andfollowed by an entertainer forthe rest of the evening.

Sadly we have lost thefollowing members this lastyear: 2741097 Albert Burd.23523478 Mike Skinner. BEM.And one of our staunchestAssociate members Mr BarrieChambers, father of 24645750Rob Chambers, who has beenwith the Branch almost sinceconception.

Branch Meetings are still heldin the Caefatri Public House,Bridgend on the secondMonday of the month and ifyou are in the area please docall in.

Our AGM will be on Monday13th March 2017. If you areable to attend please do comealong.

The Chairman, Secretary andCommittee would like to thankall the members for theirsupport throughout the yearand especially the LadiesSection at all our meeting andfunctions.

We wish everyone a MerryChristmas and a Happy NewYear and send our thanks andBest Wishes to all at RHQ andthe Cardiff HQ.

1. Ogmore Branch Dinner Dance2016, Guests, Mayor and Mayoress Bridgend Borough Council, President, Major A. Denman, MCO. MBE, accompanied by Mrs Denman.

2. Ogmore Branch Dinner Dance, Saturday 9th April 2016, Guests, Mayor and Mayoress Bridgend Borough Council.

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SWANSEA & WEST GLAMORGANBRANCH(Formed 1927)

President: Major Charles Carty MBE TDChairman: Bryn Pennock (23877288) Treasurer/Secretary: Peter Williams (23877300)

12 St Peters AvenueCockettSwansea SA5 5BX

Telephone: 01792 416010 E-mail: [email protected]

Well Gentlemen, another year has passed and a sad yearfor Swansea Branch who have lost a few stalwarts of theBranch: men with wisdom and honour who gaveeverything that a Guardsman and Branch Member could.

Mr Bill Cleary, who was 91years old and served with the3rd Battalion in North Africaand Italy, was wounded andended his service in Naples. Bythe time Bill came home the3rd Battalion had beendisbanded.

Hubert Butt who was 90 yearsold, served with the 2ndBattalion with distinction as atank driver. He was awonderful gentleman and astaunch Branch Member.

Mr Roy Bennett, 84 years old,served with the 1st Battalion inBerlin and London. In Berlin hewas Bren Gun carrier driver.Roy also served the Branch formore than 50 years, holdingevery office in the Branch andlater became a life VicePresident. His knowledge ofthe Association wasunsurpassed and a great helpto me in the seven years I havebeen Secretary.

Also very sadly on 17thSeptember 2016 Ex-SergeantMike Skinner passed away, aWelsh Guardsman throughand through. He served withthe Battalion for many years,was a great rugby player and agentleman who will be sadlymissed by his family andcomrades

This year is the 100thanniversary of the Battle of theSomme where many WelshGuardsmen lost their lives andBattle Honours which we bearwith great pride on ourColours. It was a pleasure andan honour to be able this yearto visit a number of 1st WorldWar battle fields and payhomage to our fallencomrades also to take partagain in the Last Postceremony at the Menin Gate inYpres where there are listedmany names of WelshGuardsman. God Bless them -R.I.P.

The Branch this year has onceagain been successful inholding their meetings at StJames Club, St James Gardens,Uplands, Swansea, where Kateand Gill give us a very warmwelcome and really look afterus. We would like old and newmember to join us at the every3rd Monday of the month from7pm, and look forward toseeing you there.

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1. Bill Cleary and Colin Jones at Branch Social.

2. Roy Bennett in Berlin.3. Roy Bennett at the

Menin Gate in Ypres.

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Our Sunday lunches again thisyear have been well attendedand have become a greatsocial event every couple ofmonth, but not to dwell on ourlaurels we are still looking toincrease the membership ofthe Branch and by furtherarticles in our local paper andword of mouth.

I would also to like to thank ourLadies who attend the Branchas Associate members. Theyare a great help and make ourmeetings into a social eventafter Branch Business has beenconcluded.

Also congratulations to ourStandard Bearer Amy Johnwho has just become a Proudmother to a daughter MeganGrace, Amy’s Brother is also aserving member of theBattalion.

We only have one member ofthe Branch left who servedwith the 1st Battalion in the2nd World War. Mr Bill Dyer is94 years of age and is now in anursing home. We all wish Billour very best.

In October this year theSwansea Branch is going to theRoyal National Arboretum andthen on to York where we willvisit the Royal Armoury inLeeds, Eden Hall Campmuseum and then free time inYork.

Last but not least I would like tothank all the Members andOfficers for their help andsupport given to me, to mywonderful wife Pauline and mydaughter Nicky for all theircontinued help and effort theygive to me and the Branch.

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1. Hubert Butt, centre on his 90thbirthday with Derrick Williams.

2. Ex Sergeant John Williams 300 and Yepman of the guard, Major C Carty Rtd MBE TD, Ex CSM Bryn Pennock, Major G White Rtd MBE.

3. Falklands Service, Swansea 2013.

4. My wife and I at the Branch Sunday Lunch, Norton House, Swansea.

5. Myself, wife, son, daughter and grandson at the Remembrance Parade, Swansea.

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WELSH GUARDS REUNITED(Formed 2006)

President: Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Tony Davies OBE

Chairman: Major (Retd) Martin Browne BEMSecretary: Dennis (Knocker) Knowles (24122474)

197 BryntirionMatthewstownMountain AshRhondda Cynon Taff CF45 4EX

Treasurer & Tech. Support: Mike Cummins (24472964)Webmaster: Allan Rogers (24220048)

Vice Presidents: Alan Parry-Booth (22326094)served in 1WG 1950 - 1952Ray Skinner (22329571)served in 1WG 1950 - 1952Mike Wakely (24076183)served in 1WG 1968 - 1977Larry John (24141857)served in 1WG 1969 - 1982David Woods (23879346) – served in 1WG 1962 – 1977, served AAC 1977 - 2003Gwynfor Pritchard (22831515)Served in 1WG 1956 - 1973

It seems like only yesterday that last year’s magazinenotes were being produced and we were reporting onthe continuing growth of the Welsh Guards Reunited(WGR) Branch, this year is pretty much the same with WGRmembership of both the website and Facebook (page andgroup) continuing its upward trend.

As of 1 September 2016 wehave the following members:

WGR Site Members – 3,596 ofwhich 2,306 are WGR Branchmembers

WGR Facebook Page Likes –1,173

WGR Facebook GroupMembers – 1,195

A significant event from lastyear and one which it is onlyright should head our notesthis year is the loss on 17 March2016 of one of our Branch VicePresidents and friends; AlbertRichard Lewis (2734395) akaDavidl, who served in 1WGfrom 1938 until 1946. A wartime soldier who saw muchaction. Even at the great age of94 Albert was a regularcontributor to our topics and

always had an encouragingword on any subject. Awonderfully wise man and agreat poet, his website“ProPose” is being maintainedby his friends in his honour –http://www.proprose.co.uk.and along with his book“Memoirs of a Country Man”,will ensure that his memorylives on.

The WGR representation at theWelsh Guards AssociationAnnual General Meeting (WGAAGM) appreciated theopportunity to talk about WGRand the increasing use of socialmedia. We recognize that aspositive an impact social mediacan have, there can sometimesbe a negative side to it also.WGR strives to ensure thatboth our website and

Facebook presence ismonitored closely andanything considered offensive,misleading or false ismoderated. But WGR cannotbe held responsible for theviews and opinions expressedon the many other WG groupsset up by individuals andwhich are beyond our control.

Fast, efficient and fluidcommunication with ourmembers is a key componentand benefit of belonging to anon-line Branch such as WGRand as our popularity growsthen so to does thedissemination of information.We now have many membersthat belong to their own localgeographical branch of theWGA whilst belonging to WGRalso. Each WGA Branch hasbeen given their owndedicated area on the WGR site

and although not all branchescurrently use their area there isthe scope for them to do so inthe future should they wish.These areas are secure in somuch that they can only bevisited by WGR members whohave served (and Associatemembers) and not guests orvisitors and so we are veryfortunate to be able to place inhere the regular WG updatesprovided by the RegimentalAdjutant (we are indebted toColonel Bonas for permittingus to do this).

A prime example of just howuseful WGR can be for rapidcommunication is highlightedin the tragic case of AdamHobbs, a Welsh Guards veteraninvolved in a motorbikeaccident in Thailand. The familydesperately needed to raisefunds (£100,000) to bring

Memoirs Of A Country Man by Albert Richard Lewis.

118 BRANCH REPORTS


Adam home. One particularupdate on his condition andrequest for help by theRegimental Veterans Officer(Jiffy Myers) placed on the WGRFacebook page reached 35,000people in just 48 hours andwas shared 290 times – thepower of the internet is therefor us to all use and benefitfrom.

WGR also, by default, seems tohave become the first port ofcall for anyone “Googling”Welsh Guards on the internetwhilst looking for WGinformation. We receive manyqueries by e-mail (on both thewebsite and Facebook) frompeople looking for informationon records of service, medalsor replacements, welfare,media queries, historical facts,etc and we ensure that eachone is answered as quickly aspossible or if we are unable tohelp then we always sign postthem in the direction ofsomebody who can.

Just to give you some idea ofthe variety of your comradesthat visit WGR on an almostdaily basis and with who youcould communicate with soeasily, the following peoplevisited on one day in August:

Lt Col Tony DaviesAndy BrinkworthPhil WrightDennis “Knocker” KnowlesPhil Williams 38Jeff BishopAllan RogersBill FranklinAlan Parry-BoothRay SkinnerMike CumminsPeter Lewis 1881 RobertsBrian LaytonCliff “Harry” HallPhil AtwellDave FisherDavid WoodsEric Williams 53Eric Glyn Jephcott

Bill ElcockKeith FizellFlicker Morgan 71Griff Griffiths 72Gwynfor Pritchard 15Roy Hill 75Stephen HoneyJack Jones 11John ReillyJoe DempseyBryan Jones 52Keith Smith 90Ken Williams 17Kev CollettLarry JohnMark Edwards 69Mark Lewis 82David Matthews 64Mike MaloneyJohn “Monster” Davies 33Emrys Morgan 82Neil RicePhil Davies 23David “Spider” WebbPete SweeneyRay Smith 79Chris Williams 30Chris DugganWilliam ScottDave Jones 76Alan SimcoxWyndham “Skinny” JenkinsTerry Evans 37Thomas Bevan 55Robert BelsonMartin BrowneRay “Yar” SkinnerSteven JenningsPeter Lewis 18Tommy MacDonald-MilnerColin CashmanDerek Parry 38John Evans 55David Davies 37Dave Roberts 69David StaceyPete Evans 500

We are fortunate to have somewonderful photographsuploaded to our galleries (nownumbering nearly 15,000images) and a selection ofthese are publishedthroughout our branch report.In many cases photographsare uploaded with the detailsof the subjects not known or

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and prosper and of course toour branch secretary andstandard bearer Dennis“Knocker” Knowles (24122474)who never fails to support allWelsh Guardsmen and theirfamilies at their time of need.He has paraded the branchstandard at a wide variety offunerals including Llanelli,Morriston, Bridgend, Cardiff,Pontypridd, Aberdare to namebut a few and represented theBranch at RemembranceParades at Mountain Ash,Abercynon and Penrhiwceiber.We are most fortunate to havesuch a loyal Welsh Guardsmanrepresenting us all and wethank him for all that he doesfor the branch and the widerWelsh Guards family, hisunwavering support really is sovery much appreciated.

Readers are reminded that,thanks to the generosity of ourmembers, WGR holds acomplete funeral pack (qualityblue/red/blue coffin drapewith Regimental Crest, belt,forage cap) which is availablefor use by anyone having thesad task of arranging a funeralfor a Welsh Guardsman. Justcontact the WGR BranchSecretary for further details.

recognised, so if anyone canrecognise anyone in anyphotograph who is not namedthen please let us know so wecan update our galleries andaid people searching in themin the future.

We are also most fortunate tohave the very talented Neil Rice(24446066) as a member ofWGR who helps produce somewonderful graphics andphotography work. Aside fromtaking photographs at events,he has most generouslyproduced congratulatory cardson behalf of all WGR membersand posted them to SimonWeston on being awarded theCBE and Roy Cumbley, ArthurBland and Alan Appleby onbeing been made Chevaliers inthe National Legion of Honour2016. An example of Neil'swork is reproduced here.Thank you Neil, your support ismuch appreciated.

One of our stalwart supportersand WGR Associate memberNick Farr visited NorthernIreland on Mon 27 May 16 andvery kindly laid remembrancecrosses at the Cenotaph inBelfast City Centre inremembrance of those WelshGuardsmen and a Royal Corpsof Transport Driver attached tothe Battalion who were killedin Northern Ireland during thetroubles.

They are 23523406 SergeantPhilip Price, 24230319 DriverStephen Cooper RCT, 24315479Guardsman David Roberts and24464284 Guardsman PaulFryer

May they all rest in eternalpeace. Thank you Nick so verymuch for taking the time to dothis - appreciated by us all.

As ever WGR owes a huge debtof gratitude to our manymembers that voluntarilydonate funds to the site whichenables the branch to survive

1. 1957 – 1958 - Standing; DSgt CS Payton, RSM W Phelps,DSgt D Roden Seated; Lt Col CA la T Leatham,Maj W J Burchell.

2. Some recognisable faceshere in Aberdare?

3. Simon Weston’s CBE card produced by Neil Rice.

4. Remembrance crosses, at the Cenotaph in Belfast.

5. The indefatigable Dennis "Knocker" Knowles, WGR Branch Secretary and Standard Bearer.

6. Lance Sergeant Amerlinckwith his wife Maria.

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120 BRANCH REPORTS


Amerlinck is not French. She isPolish. She fled from Cracow toFrance just before the Germaninvasion. Like her husband, sheis twenty-two. She is tall, withfine features and wavy hair. Itwas her hair that first attractedSergeant Amerlinck's attention.The first time he crossed thecourtyard of his farmhousebillet he found her helping withthe cattle. He saw her everyday afterwards, after his work

the Ottawa news:

"Lance Sergeant MarcelAmerlinck, Welsh Guardsman,aged 22, from Cardiff, is onhoneymoon with his bride inthe BJLF front zone, after thefirst BJLF marriage of the war.They are in a village not farbehind the line, where theymet when the sergeant wasbilleted there about threemonths ago. But Mrs

WGR social media really doesuncover some fascinating WGstories which would probablyotherwise remain untold. Onesuch story concerns LSgt(2734105) Marcel Amerlinckwho was one fo the first Britishsoldiers to find a French bride(photograph).

This news travelled far andwide and on 16 Mar 1940 thefollowing report appeared in

in the Quartermaster's office.They were married by theMayor of the village in theMairie Town Hall which is justacross the road from the farm.'Marcel cannot speak Polishand his wife speaks no English.But both speak French."

LSgt Amerlinck was latertragically killed at Arras on 22May 1940 and is buried in theArras Communal Cemetry. Hiswife, Maria, later settled inGlamorgan were she lived untilshe sadly passed away in 2003.

Another intriguing story whichhas surfaced due to WGR'sinvolvement in social mediaconcerns a contact messagereceived by WGR from a lady inthe USA. A Beatles fanatic, shewas trying to trace thewhereabouts of John Lennon'sbodyguard. She described him,from a paragraph in a book, as‘Leslie Anthony, a 6ft 4ins,18stone, 33 year old ex WelshGuardsman’.

Our forums and Facebookgroup drew a blank; nobodywas aware of a WelshGuardsman ever being JohnLennon's bodyguard and allappeared lost until suddenlyLeslie Anthony's son contactedus (having seen the topic in theforums). He confirmed that hisFather, Leslie William Anthony(22217329), had indeed servedin 1WG from 1949 until 1955and had been John Lennon'sbodyguard from 1959 for 7years. Another piece offascinating WG history. HisFather, now aged 84 is welland lives in Hampshire.

Associate Member and sitehistorian, Nick Farr hascontinued to provide theStanley Kiernan award inmemory of his great uncle(1038) Cpl Stanley Kiernan WGwho was KIA on 1st July 1916during the raid at Mortaldje.The Branch Committee has

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recently reviewed theawarding criteria which hasnow been widened and it willnow be awarded twice a year(instead of quarterly). Nick willnow also very generouslyengrave the winners selectedprize with his/her personaldetails. The following WGRmembers have been fortunateenough to have had theircontribution to WGRrecognised by receiving theaward since its inception:

Mar 13 – Paul Rosser

Sep 13 – Roy Hill 75

Dec 13 - Robert Roberts

Mar 14 – Albert Davies

Jun 14 - Alan Parry-Boot

Sep 14 – Neil Rice

Dec 14 – Linda Anne Culpin

Mar 15 – Maldwyn Jones 92

Jun 15 – Bill Franklin

Sep 15 – Graham Larman

Dec 15 – Dennis Knowles

Mar 16 – Andy Brinkworth

Sep 16 – Jack Jones 11

WGR member Roger Dummett(24401159) uploaded a

wonderful photograph of hisFather Arthur ThomasDummett (273481) who servedin WG from Jun 39 until Jun 51.Does anyone recognise thechap on the right?

WGR is always wellrepresented at all WG eventsthroughout the year and willcontinue to support the widerWelsh Guards communitywhenever and however it can.

Paul Morgan (24578071) akaFlicker is arranging a WGRreunon over the weekend 28Oct in Llandudno and it is verymuch hoped to include anaccount of this in next year’sBranch report.

As always WGR sent teams tothe annual WGA Darts andShoot and although we cameaway without any silverware,we most certainly must have

got first prize for the mosthandsome Branch there. Welldone members for making thepilgrimage.

Once again, we have to thankthe people behind the WGRwebsite, without which thevery existence of the WelshGuards Reunited Branch(WGRB) would not be possible.The site Management Team arepurely responsible for the day

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1. Leslie William Anthony (22217329) - Bodyguard to John Lennon.

2. Arthur Thomas (2734815) Dummett (left)

3. Members of the ‘most handsome branch’ at the WGA Darts and Shoot.

4. Back Row: Gdsm Davies, Thissen, Ackermann, Lewis, KeillerMiddle row: Gdsm Skinner, Haines, LSgt White, LSgt Powell, Gdsm Evans, LSgt Turner, Gdsm Jones,LSgt HearneSeated: Gdsm Davies, Pugh, Lt RDM Peel,Lt Col VG Wallace,Lt CRL Guthrie, Capt WS Phelps,CSMI Criddle, Gdsm Bowen, PhillipsFront; Gdsm Beynon,Gdsm Griffiths

122 BRANCH REPORTS


to day running of the site,ensuring adherence to a verysimple set of guidelines whichensure the site is a happy, safeand friendly place to visit. Inaddition, Allan Rogers, ourwebmaster, administers theBranch online AGM eachAugust and really does aterrific job pulling it alltogether. Unlike a normalbranch AGM at a physicallocation, the on-line AGM, donecorrectly, takes lot of planning,time and patience to get right.This effort above and beyondwhat is expected, really isappreciated by us all on WGR,thank you Allan. The teamconsists of:

WebmasterAllan Rogers (24220048)

AdministratorMartin Browne (24433673)

Technical SupportMike Cummins (24472964)

ModeratorsDennis (Knocker) Knowles(24122474)

Neil Rice (24446066)

WGR FacebookJack Jones (24076011)

WGR websitewww.welshguardsreunited.co.uk

WGR Facebook Groupwww.facebook.com/groups/welshguardsreunited

WGR Facebook Pagewww.facebook.com/pages/welshguardsreunited/109019635828553

WGR TwitterFollow us at:@WelshGuardsWGR

We end our Branch notes, in amanner which has quicklybecome customary, withanother superb poem fromour wonderfully talented VicePresident, Mr Alan Parry-Booth, pictured abovepresenting one of his soughtafter hand - made walkingsticks (another talent of his) toNeil Rice (24446066).

OUR SITE

Eight years ago I chanced uponA site that’s quite unique

Some members look in every daySome use it once a week.

Our ages range from eighteenTo a few around a ton

The way it’s organised ensuresIt’s great for everyone.

Designed and built for VeteransAnd the lads who serve today

To aid communicationIn a very special way.

The news we get is up to dateIt beats the BBC

With every item chosenTo relate to you and me.

We have the gen from RHQAnd good old Billy Mott

The way it keeps us in the loopIs always on the spot.

A greetings box for membersTo record their special dayAnd R.I.P.’s for comrades

Who have sadly passed away.

For lazy sods and older bods(Include me in the latter)

A good old fashioned banter boxAssists them in their chatter.

Some members live in far flung spotsLike Oz and France and Spain

America and CyprusEven one in Pontywaun.

We have a crazy PadreSome ex coppers and a nurseAnd even one daft bugger

Who posts his thoughts in verse.

Our site administratorsAre a really first class band

That keeps Welsh Guards ReunitedAs the site Mike Cummins planned.

So I’ll propose a vote of thanksTo members short and tall

You make my “Middle Age” completeGod bless you – One and all.

Alan Parry-Booth21.2.16

Mr Alan Parry-Booth, presenting one of his sought after hand - madewalking sticks to Neil Rice (24446066)

BRANCH REPORTS 123


A big ‘thank you’ once againgoes to Sergeant Kevin Juryand his Recruiting Team whocontrolled the Shootingcompetition with their usualprofessionalism and goodhumour and without whosehelp the day would havefloundered.

We were honoured to have MrRoy Lewis with us this year topresent the trophies. Roy hasjut retired as Vice President ofthe Association and was alsomy predecessor at MaindyBarracks. His attendance wasgreatly appreciated byeveryone present.

The annual Association Darts and ShootingCompetition took place once again at the Sergeants’

mess RRW, Maindy Barracks, Cardiff, on Saturday 24thSeptember. After the disappointing turn-out last yearwhen many members failed to turn up, this year madeup for it when we even had a surprise team from theBattalion.

DARTS AND SHOOTING COMPETITION


SHOOTINGWinners of the Leatham trophy: East Glam (B)

Runners Up: 1st Bn Welsh Guards

Winner of the Abertawe Cup(Champion Shot): B. Owen (East Glam B)

Winner of the Gerry Greenstock Cup: Andy Harris (Llanelli)

William Burman Cup: Not competed for, SwanseaBranch not present.

DARTS

Winners of the Welsh Guards Association Cup: Llanelli

Winners of the Abertawe Shield: 1st Bn Welsh Guards

Highest Individual Score: Alan Thomas (East Glam)

RESULTS

DARTS AND SHOOTINGCOMPETITION 2016Brian Keane

Some may be surprised to seethat the Battalion were‘runners-up’ in the Shootingcompetition. This is because,according to the rules, servingsoldiers can participate butcannot qualify for a trophy.

Photographs courtesy of Neil Rice (www.nhr-photography.com)

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1. Secretary General with the trophies.

2. Llanelli Branch, Winners of theWelsh Guards Association Cup.

3. Highest Individual Score, Alan Thomas, East Glam.

4. 1st Bn. Welsh Guards with ‘extras’.

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DARTS AND SHOOTING COMPETITION 2016

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3 4

1. Roy Lewis presenting Andy Harriswith the Gerry Greenstock Cup.

2. Roy Lewis presenting Brian Owen with the Aberdare Cup.

3. 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, runners up in the shooting.

4. Winners of the Leatham Trophy, East Glam B.

WGA DARTS & SHOOT 125

MINUTES OF THE 86TH ANNUALGENERAL MEETING OF THEWELSH GUARDS ASSOCIATIONHeld at Maindy Barracks Cardiff, at 1100 hrs Tuesday24th May 2016

President: Colonel T S BonasVice President: Brigadier J F Rickett CBETreasurer: Major K OultramSecretary General: B Keane Esq

Present:

J Harding Esq., PresidentLlanelli Branch: Capt TMacdonald-Milner, PresidentMidlands Branch: Captain HLegge-Bourke, PresidentMerthyr Tydfil Branch: CaptainD Davies, PresidentMonmouthshire Branch:Captain A C Hopkins, PresidentNorth Wales Branch: Major ADenman, President OgmoreBranch: Major C Carty MBE TD,President Swansea & WestGlamorgan Branch: Lt/ColonelA Davies OBE, President WGR:Mr T O’Shea, Secretary CardiffBranch: Mr K Haines, SecretaryEast Glamorgan Branch: Mr ACunningham, Secretary LlanelliBranch: Mr J Heenan, SecretaryLondon Branch: Mr E Jones,Secretary Merthyr TydfilBranch: Mr J Bayliss, SecretaryMidlands Branch: Mr SLiversage BEM, SecretaryMonmouthshire Branch: Mr JWilliams, SecretaryMontgomery/ShropshireBranch: Mr M Jones, SecretaryOgmore Branch: Mr P Williams,Secretary Swansea & WestGlamorgan Branch: Mr DKnowles, Secretary WelshGuards Reunited.

alive and also to the Secretary General for arranging the AGM. He reported that RQMS Boika isleaving the Regiment at the end of the year and thanks were also bestowed on himfor his unstinting work and support to the WGA.

b: The Band of the Welsh Guards has shown interest in becoming a Branch of the Association and he was delighted to support them.

c: A memorial stone is to be unveiled in Llanelli in October, which will include the names of some Welsh Guardsmen (Branch Secretaries have already received information on this)

d: Battalion was in good orderand morale high. They havean extremely busy year, being heavily involved in events relating to the Queen’s 90th birthday, as well as other commitments.Manning and recruitment was an issue at the momentthroughout the Army, but thought this would be a temporary issue, also it wasgood to hear that Welsh Guards cadets in Wales were thriving.

e: We have, since 2015, been affiliated to the new aircraftcarrier, HMS Prince of Wales,and it is hoped that visits can be arranged for Association members in thefuture.

f: The new Commanding Officer of the Battalion is

Lieutenant Colonel Dai Bevan, and the RSM, Carl Taylor.

The Welsh Guards now have 3 serving Major Generals, 1 Full Colonel, 9 Lieutenant Colonels and 3 RSM’s.

Item 2 – Minutes of PreviousMeeting

Confirmation of the minutes ofthe Annual General Meetingheld 12th May 2015 wasproposed by Captain ChrisHopkins, (President NorthWales Branch) and secondedby Mr S Liversage (SecretaryMonmouthshire Branch) Thiswas carried and the minutessigned.

Item 3 – Finance/Accounts

The ARA, Major K Oultram,produced a copy of the‘statement of accounts’ for allpresent and invited anycomments or queries to bediscussed with him in his officeafter the meeting. Theaccounts show that theAssociation has £19,655.68 forthe current financial year.

Secretary of Llanelli Branchrequested names of thetrustees who decide on howthe money is spent, and wasinformed they consisted of:

President, Colonel Bonas, VicePresident, Brigadier Rickett,ARA, Major K Oultram and Sec.General B Keane.

All requests for money aredecided on merit, commonsense and for the good ofAssociation members.

There were 6 other Associationmembers present.

In Attendance:

Major K Dawson, 1st Btn WelshGuards: WO2 M Ridgeway-Buckley 1st Btn Welsh Guards:WO2 S Boika, HeadquartersWelsh Guards:

Apologies for Absence;

Brigadier J F Rickett CBE, VicePresident WGA: Colonel CStephens, President LondonBranch:

N Owen, SecretaryCardiganshire Branch: KBonehill, Secretary North ofEngland Branch: M Jones,Secretary North Wales Branch.

Item 1 - President’s Address

a: The President opened the meeting by welcoming everyone, especially Major Karl Dawson and WO2 Michael Ridgeway-Buckley from the Battalion. He was pleased to see eight Branch Presidents in attendance as well as representation from the Association. Thanks were given to Branch Secretaries for their continued hard work in keeping the Association

WELSH GUARDS ASSOCIATION AGM


126 WELSH GUARDS ASSOCIATION AGM

Item 4 – QBP

This takes place on SaturdayJune 11th and the Sec Gen waspleased to report that allrequests for tickets had beensatisfied with the cooperationof RHQ.

Item 5 – St David’s Day 2017

This will be at Pirbright onWednesday 1st March. ThePresident has taken on boardproblems relating to 2016 andpromised they would berectified. He wished to thankthe Battalion for all their hardwork in hosting this. Furtherdetails will be available closerto the time.

Item 6 – Magazine andBranch Reports

The ARA stated that thedeadline for reports, articlesetc is October 18th. All articles/ reports should be sentelectronically or on disc, since itis too time consuming torewrite these onto computerfor the printers. Hard copies ofphotographs will be acceptedby post but must be clearlylabelled, together with a noteof where it should be displayedwithin the article. The SecGeneral reiterated that Branchreports must be accompaniedby a photograph since this isthe way to keep readersinterested. Newsletters shouldalso be sent in the same way.

The President wished toencourage articles for themagazine, whether they aremilitary or just pertaining tolocal events.

A Cunningham wasdisappointed that photographsbelonging to John Croft sentfor 2015 magazine appeared tohave been lost. *** The ARA

apologised profusely, and tookfull responsibility, but will carryout a further check of his office.

Item 7 - Association andRegimental Battlefield Tours2016

The Association tour this yearruns from September 10th –14th, incorporating Hechteland the Battle of the Bulge,where Brigadier Rickett will beour guide. Due to illness etc, afew places are now available,and if anyone is interested,should contact the Sec Gen assoon as possible for furtherdetails. The total cost is £300per person.

The President also announcedthat the Regimental BattlefieldTour takes place at the end ofSeptember to Normandy.

Item 8 – Imber Court

Due to other commitments byvarious people involved in theprevious planning of the ImberCourt commemorations, it wasagreed to cancel this year. TheSecretary of the EastGlamorgan Branch, who hassuccessfully run a coach toImber Court in the past, wasalso finding it extremelydifficult in getting members toattend.

A letter to Imber Court will besent to explain thecircumstances and hopefullythis event will resume in 2017.

Item 9 – Darts & ShootingCompetition

This has been arranged forSaturday 24th September atMaindy Barracks, commencingat approximately 1000 hrs forthose Branches close to thevenue. The Recruiting Teamhas kindly agreed to cover theDCCT, for which we are all

extremely grateful and the barwill remain open until 1700hrs. It is hoped that the turn-out will be as good as last year.

P Williams, Secretary of theSwansea Branch requested theattendance of ladies to thisevent, but was told it was triedin the past and didn’t work out.

Item 10 – RemembranceDay

This year Remembrance Dayfalls on Sunday 13thNovember. Wreaths will beavailable for collection byBranch Secretaries from theSec. General’s office after themeeting. Since there appearedto be a problem presenting thewreath at the Welsh GuardsMemorial last year, the SecGeneral requested that arepresentative from RHQ beavailable to assist with this inthe future and was assured bythe President that this was inhand.

Since the Battalion is extremelybusy in November, it seemsunlikely that there will be alarge presence in Wales at thistime, but they will endeavourto provide at least onerepresentative to Branchtowns.

Item 11 – Christmas Card

The ARA reported that therewas a delay with the artist incompleting the Christmas cardfor 2016, but as soon as itbecomes available, it will beuploaded on to the WelshGuards Association web site.

Item 12 – WW1 CentenaryProject at Coes Ffos Las

On 29th June the Welsh Guardshave agreed to providesupport to the Woodland Trustshaping the Centenary Wood

at Coed Ffos Las.

Major Karl Dawson, ProjectManager, hopes to geteveryone across Wales involvedand is aiming particularly atthe 16 – 21 year olds to assist indigging and planting. Oncecompleted, it is hoped that itwill promote the Welsh Guards,with walks through the woodusing GPS to pinpoint variousthings of interest.

Please refer to the full detailswhich have already beencirculated to BranchSecretaries.

Item 13 – Junior GuardsmenCompany Plaque

A plaque to commemorate allHousehold Division Memberswho served in JGC is to beunveiled at the NationalArboretum on Sunday 24thJuly. Details have beencirculated to all BranchSecretaries, and the SecGeneral agreed to arrange freetransport if there are sufficientnumbers interested.

Item 14 – Offas Dyke Walk

This is being organized by JanKoops and, again, details havebeen circulated. The walkcommences at Chepstow onJune 16th and finishes inPrestatyn on June 17th, thenight before the FalklandsMemorial Service in Wrexhamon 18th June. All welcome, butmust make their own eatingand sleeping arrangements.

Item 15 - Points Raised atSecretaries Meeting

The main bone of contentionappeared to be that the deathsof some members were notincluded in the ‘In Memoriam’page of the magazine. The SecGeneral pointed out that he

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can only submit informationreceived from BranchSecretaries, which shouldinclude: Name, Rank,Regimental Number, Dates ofservice and Age when died. Hereminded everyone that RHQare extremely good in helpingout with checking theirarchives, and the Presidentstated that these are presentlybeing updated and savedsecurely.

A few points were raised byattending members:

1. Lt Colonel Tony Davies (President WGR) wished to assure the meeting that theWGR site has now sorted out their past problems andall posts are now closely monitored and removed if deemed necessary.

Another member of WGR stated that the site is extremely popular and used efficiently to get information to their users. The Sec General pointed outthat many Association members are elderly and are not computer literate, thus there is also a strong need to communicate in other ways. Various other comments were made by WGR members which were taken on board.

2. T O’Shea (Secretary CardiffBranch) wished to know if any thought had been given to celebrating 100 years of the Association in 2019. The President replied that it was a little early to plan anything as yet.

3. Capt. Harry Legge Bourke (President Merthyr Tydfil) wished to know the feasibility of setting up a

‘business list of Welsh Guards tradesmen’ on line. The question was asked who was going to set this up and the response from the meeting was it should be him!

His next point was that consideration be given to holding a ‘Black Sunday’ for Welsh Guards since many Association members would like to attend Londonfor Remembrance Day but felt committed to supporting their local towns.

4. A Cunningham (Secretary Llanelli) informed the meeting that his Branch were visiting Hechtel 18 – 22 August and wished to thank RHQ for supplying a bugler.

Item 16 - Date of nextAnnual General Meeting

To be decided.

The President and SecretaryGeneral thanked everyone forattending and contributing toan excellent constructivemeeting.

*** Item 6

The Sec General has furtherinvestigated the ‘lostphotographs’ belonging toJohn Croft and discovered theywere not sent for themagazine, but to theAssociation approximately two- three years ago together withnewspaper clippings relatingto Mr Croft. These items werelater returned to sender byregistered post by the SecGeneral, and receipt wasconfirmed by his friend, MrIvor Rowe.

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WELSH GUARDS ASSOCIATION AGM WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

FORECAST OF EVENTS 129

FORECAST OF EVENTS 2017

JANUARY

FEBRUARY 24 Secretaries’ Meeting - Cardiff

MARCH 1 St David’s Day - Pirbright

APRIL

MAY 16 Association AGM - Cardiff

JUNE 3 Trooping The Colour - Major General’s Review

10 Trooping The Colour - Colonel’s Review

17 THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PARADE

JULY

SEPTEMBER TBC Darts and Shoot Competition

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER 12 Remembrance Sunday

DECEMBER

WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE FORECAST OF EVENTS

22831995 LSgt M WorrellDied: 12th August 2011, Aged: 70 yearsServed: 1958 – 1968

23879382 Gdsm DJD ThomasDied: 5th September 2015, Aged: 71 yearsServed: 1963 – 1968

2738457 Gdsm B ClearyDied: 5th September 2015, Aged: 91 yearsServed: 1942 – 1946

2739082 Gdsm RE BarnesDied: 30th October 2015, Aged: 90 yearsServed: 1942 – 1946

2741804 Gdsm JP ManningDied: November 2015, Aged: 85 yearsServed: 1947 – 1959

24368932 CSgt RN BevanDied: 11th November 2015, Aged: 60 yearsServed: 1975 – 1986

520964 Capt RJD ParryDied: 4th December 2015, Aged: 70yearsServed: 1963-1992

228335 Capt GR FurzeDied: 8th December 2015, Aged: 94 yearsServed: 1942-1946

23523412 Gdsm M SaundersDied: 2016, Aged: 75 yearsServed: 1960 – 1966

22614147 Gdsm R BennentDied: 18th January 2016, Aged: 85 yearsServed: 1952 – 1955

22831919 LCpl DN BishopDied:16th January 2016, Aged: 82 yearsServed: 1958-1965

2738431 Gdsm R Bevan Died: February 2016Served: 1942-1944

362192 Sir Timothy BevanDied: 11th February 2016, Aged: 88 yearsServed: 1945-1947

409231 Lord AveburyDied: 14th February 2016, Aged: 87 yearsServed:1950-1951

22217800 Gdsm D JonesDied: 24th February 2016, Aged: 87 yearsServed: 1948 - 1956

2738009 DMaj W WalkerDied: 13th March 2016, Aged: 91 yearsServed: 1945 - 1974

2734395 WO2 A R LewisDied: 17th March 2016, Aged: 96 yearsServed: 1938 – 1946

2741814 Sgt J H GriffithsDied: April 2016, Aged: 89 yearsServed: 1947 – 1952

2741085 Gdsm J TunleyDied: April 2016, Aged: 89 yearsServed: 1945 – 1948

22217655 Gdsm G NethecottDied: 2nd April 2016 Aged: 83 yearsServed: 1952 – 1974

Lt Col DE Sturdy MS FRCS (RAMC)Died: 3rd April 2016, Aged: 87 yearsServed: As RMO 1951-1953

176790 Brigadier M C Thursby – Pelham OBE Died: 24th April 2016, Aged: 95 yearsServed: 1941 – 1975

22217179 LCpl B DaviesDied: May 2016, Aged: 82 years Served: 1952 – 1956

23523108 Gdsm T MooneyDied: 28th May 2016, Aged: 74 yearsServed: 1958 – 1964

23523350 Gdsm M BettsDied: 29th May 2016Aged: 73 yearsServed: 1959 – 1964

In Memoriam - Êr CôfWe regret to announce that notification has been received of the deaths of the following

130 IN MEMORIAM

124

2739147 LSgt H ButtDied: 10th June 2016 Aged: 90 yearsServed: 1942 - 1946

2657354 Sgt A BlandDied: 21st June 2016, Aged: 95 yearsServed: 1939 - 1953

25234130 Gdsm T SlomanDied: 2nd July 2016, Aged: 28 years Served: 2007-2016

23523060 Gdsm M T MorrisDied: 24th July 2016, Aged: 77 yearsServed: 1958 – 1961

2736858 Sgt R CumbleyDied: 06th August 2016, Aged: 96 yearsServed: 1940 – 1947

24626342 LSgt A LeggeDied: 16th August 2016, Aged: 51 yearsServed: 1982-2003

23523478 CSgt M Skinner BEMDied: 17th September 2016, Aged: 76 yearsServed: 1960-1984

507061 Major P Owen-EdmundsDied: 24th September 2016, Aged: 57 yearsServed: 1981-1992

2738678 Sgt H SymmsDied: October 2016, Aged: 92 yearsServed: 1942-1948

In Memoriam - Êr CôfWe regret to announce that notification has been received of the deaths of the following

IN MEMORIAM 131

132 PHOTO GALLERY

1. North Wales Branch Sec.Mal Jones.

2. Phil ‘Hen’ Williams 41with Mal Jones 92.

3. A Tower Poopy, on display at the Branch Sec’s pub.

4. Geraint Owen 64 withwife Debbie.

5. 22831222 Roy Poland, (Ogmore Branch), alongsidethe grave of LSgt F.Trott. Died 11/11/18.

6. Discovered in Newton Cemetary, Porthcawl, 1245 LSgt F. Trott WG. Died 11/11/18, Armistice Day.

7. 300 Williams, Canada 1964.8. 89 Tucker, 300 Williams

and Kellaway, Gort Barr 1962.

1 2

3

54 6

7 8

ASSOCIATION PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO GALLERY WELSH GUARDS REGIMENTAL MAGAZINE

R E G I M E N T A L M A G A Z I N E 2 0 1 6

WELSH GUARDS

101 years ~ 1915 - 2016

welsh guards

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