Welsh Regiment Welch Regiment |
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Welsh Regiment Cap Badge
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Active | 1881–1969 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Line infantry |
Size |
1–2 Regular battalions |
Garrison/HQ | Maindy Barracks, Cardiff |
Motto(s) | Gwell angau na Chywilydd (Better Death than Dishonour) |
March | Quick: Ap Siencyn (Son of Jenkin) |
Mascot(s) | Goat |
Anniversaries | Gheluvelt, 31 Oct |
1–2 Regular battalions
1 Militia and Special Reserve battalion
Up to 4 Territorial and Volunteer battalions
The Welch Regiment (or "The Welch", an archaic spelling of "Welsh") was an infantry regiment of the line of the British Army in existence from 1881 until 1969. The regiment was created in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 41st (Welch) Regiment of Foot and 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Welsh Regiment, which it was known as until 1920 when it was renamed the Welch Regiment. In 1969 the regiment was amalgamated with the South Wales Borderers to form the Royal Regiment of Wales.
The regiment was created in 1881 under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of the 41st (Welch) Regiment of Foot and 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Welsh Regiment.
The 1st Battalion moved to Egypt in 1886. The battalion took part in the Battle of Suakin in December 1888 during the Mahdist War under the leadership of the force commander, Colonel Herbert Kitchener, who wrote in his dispatches:
The half-Battalion of The Welsh Regiment are seasoned soldiers and whatever I asked of them to do they did well. Their marksmen at Gemaizah Fort and the remainder of the half-Battalion on the left fired section volleys driving the Dervishes from their right position and inflicting severe punishment upon them when in the open. Significantly the Battalion did not lose a man.