R&I – FS
Hi
The Royal Welch Fusiliers in America!
Wales has had a long connection with America from the beginning of its colonization by the Mayflower transporting the Pilgrims in 1620. The Welsh have played a significant part in the Americas, colonizing Patagonia South America, and settling Pennsylvania, New York State, Tennessee, Kentucky and eventually some reaching Californian. There was even some Welsh with William Penn. Not to forget that 16 of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of America’s Independence on 4th July 1776 were of Welsh descent.
The Only British Regiment in the American War
that never lost it Regimental Colours.
However, my post is not about Cymry/Wales, and probably a few of you are wondering about my discussion title: Royal Welch Fusiliers in America. That honour goes to the American re-enactment volunteers who don the 1770s replica uniform of the 23rd Regiment of Foot: The 23rd were in the thick of the fighting and particularly distinguished themselves at the battles of Bunker Hill in 1775 and Guildford Courthouse in 1781. Leadership of the army in America was less than impressive, and in September 1781 American troops invaded Yorktown, the garrison which included the Royal Welch Fusiliers. They were holding a redoubt at the end of the line and beat off three major assaults. In the face of overwhelming odds, General Cornwallis offered to surrender. Those who could stand marched out with the Honours of War, and the Colours of the Regiment were saved by being concealed under the jackets of officers. The Fusilier Redoubt, with its memorial to the Regiment, marks the spot to this day.https://www.rwfmuseum.org.uk/history.html see under THE REGIMENTAL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS and click on War of American Independence?
Why did the Royal Welsh Fusiliers wear the Red Coat—because camouflage is for Wimps?
For those in the Continental Army during the Independent War who said the RWF wore steel vests, it was not true—Kevlar Yes!— RWF skit
My collective family has a long tradition with the RWF going back to the early days of the regiment. From my Great-Great-Great-grandfather to my great-grandfather, his brothers, and his son, my Taid/grandfather all served with the Royal Welch, which is the oldest Welsh regiment and one of the oldest British Regiments, founded in 1689. However, that said, there have been a few recruits from England. Who have Welsh ancestry within the regiment (their fathers’ or grandfathers served with the regiment, then moved to England after their service) and wish to keep the family tradition of serving in the regiment? Also, the Royal Welch Fusiliers are the only British regiment that marches to a tune composed by the famous American march composer J. P. Sous.
The RWF is known as the 23rd Regiment of Foot, founded by Henry Herbert, 4th Baron Herbert of Chirbury (died 1691) in the year 1689. RWF had been in almost every major battle at home (The Jacobite rising of 1745), mainland Europe, which includes Waterloo, and most if not all the actions of ‘ The American War of Independence” and most significant conflicts of the 20th century. The Regiments Ceremonial chief is HM The Queen. Also, the Regimental Mascot is the Wild Mountain Goat, which is from the Queen royal herd that roams the Gogarth/Great Orme, Llandudno in North Wales. The RWF retained the archaic spelling of Welch, instead of Welsh, and Fuzileers for Fusiliers; were engraved on swords carried by regimental officers during the Napoleonic Wars. See link to officer sabre/sword and its RWF motif.
(https://www.antique-swords.com/AD77-1803P-Royal-Welsh-Fuzileers-Fusiliers-Officers.html)
After the 1881 Childers Reforms, its official title was The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but “Welch ” continued to be used informally until restored in 1920 by Army Order No.56. Also, It should not be confused with the Welch Regiment, a different unit that recruited in South and West, rather than North Wales. The RWF also retains on its uniform the Black Flash, which held the wig pigtail with its whitener off the tunic. I suppose some are wondering why American re-enactment enthusiasts would choose the RWF, and make costly replicas of the 1770s uniform. To the Welsh, the regiment is Ffiwsilwyr Brenhinol Cymreig. To the Americans, they are the original Redcoats. The only foot regiment that still retains its Red Coat and Black Flash dress uniform. In 2019, Royal Welshmen were on operations in Somalia, Estonia and Afghanistan, working alongside American troops, and commanded by the senior American Commanding officer in Afghanistan. A Far cry from 1776-1783 era.
https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-welsh/
As a military regiment, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers are multi-taskers, their role has been as Pioneers, Soldiers, Fusiliers, Marines and Commandos, and during wartime and conflict. They have been used as radio communicators to fool the enemy, by sending wireless communications and messages in Welsh. Today they specialize in Armoured Infantry.
RWF motto, Gwell Angau na Chywilydd: Death rather than Dishonour.
My late brother Robert (Bobby), code sign Jones 60, was in the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF).
For Bobby—Jones 60, late of the 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
What do you say?
Cofion
Jero Jones
Article URL : https://breakingnewsandreligion.online/discuss/