Im sorry to say mate that day will most probily come but not to soon i hope
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Im sorry to say mate that day will most probily come but not to soon i hope
It should not happen whilst there are Royal Welchman alive !!!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by benney
Your problems are small in comparison to current serving members who spent time in both Regiments. I served 18 years as a Royal Welchman and the last 4 in the Royal Welsh. I have a few years left to serve before I become a branch member but I can forsee that even then this topic will still be popular. Opinions are for all to voice I just hope people remember that regardless of the changes we have endured were still the same lads from the same towns with the same pride in our Regiment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertie Ball 01
Times they are certainly changing, and being a younger veteran (not quite 65) I respect all the past history and traditions of our regiments. As one that was personally affected by the merger of SWB & Welch in 1969, I can understand both sides of this debate. The Standard Bearers of all Associations do a very public service for which they deserve the most praise - often in all weathers. Collectively The Royal Welsh has got a tremendous amount of historic endeavour and let us educate the younger generations of that. I've said locally and in other places that there could now be 5 Blazer Badges on show at reunions - and we are all proud to wear them.
I am glad i spent the best years of my life in the Royal Welch Fusiliers with some great mates and characters,i did moan etc on the merger ,but with the subject rearing its head again with the unveiling of the new Regimental Association Standard ,i think we should remember what we had fondly, and give our backing to the new Regimental Association Standard and forget wether its green black or blue,just as we have given our backing to the Royal welsh 1st and 2nd Battalions.
Hello Everyone
I had a long drawn out discussion about this topic just the other day with Capt Des Williams now Assistant Regimental Secretary Royal Welsh in Wrexham and Association Secretary RWFCA, He attended the Royal Welsh annual secreteries meeting in Cardiff some 2 weeks ago and at that meeting there were some branch secretaries of both Associations RRW/RWF. The cards were laid on the table then, by Gen Roddy Porter Col of the Regt, Royal Welsh, stating that in laymans terms if the RWFCA don't come under the banner of the new Royal Welsh Association then the RWFCA will not be invited to the party in June.
He also stated that if the RWFCA do come under the new Royal Welsh Association Then RWFCA Branches will have their names embosed on the new branch standard RWA for example My Branch would be titled (The Royal Welsh Comrades' Association, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, Shotton and Deeside Branch. )
All aspects of RWFCA will be kept the same, the wearing of RWF Regtl Ties and blaizer badges the wearing of the dark beret and hackle and even our yearly reunion at wrexham.
I personally now think it is time for change because if we don't the RWFCA "Twig" will wither and eventualy die, by going under the Royal Welsh Banner but still keeping our own identity as RWF members' and branches, the new Royal Welsh Association will water the dying "Twig" and keep us alive as RWF Comrades', we will have the best of both worlds so to say, it may increase our branch membership in years to come and believe me recruiting for the branches have never been so difficult,hopefully, we will get some young blood into our ranks.
One final note on branch standards, under the new RWA Association when on parade branches will have to carry the Royal Welsh Comrades' Branch Standard but the RWF Branches can choose to keep their own RWFCA branch standard for branch members funerals etc.
I for one as a RWFCA branch Hon Secretary feel now is the time for change and to get encompassed into the newRoyal Welsh Comrades' Association to keep "watering" our glorious RWF traditions of which once was a our great Regiment. I as a Volunteer Custiodian in the RWF Musuem at Caernarfon get ask numerous times by "Joe Public" "Where are the RWF now"? My answer to them is here at the Musuem, but if you are asking about the 1st Bn Royal Welsh (The Royal Welch Fusiliers) then that is a different matter and go in great depth to explain it.
I know some members out there will ask what about our RWFCA funds, Des has assured everyone, that this will be discussed at the RWFCA Executive and Annual Secretaries meetings in great detail.
Its not all "Doom and Gloom" I dont think. Rest assured it is not the end of the RWF Comrades or RWF traditions.
So lets get rid of the "them and Us" syndrome and come together as one big "family" and see what lies ahead.
I'll probably get a phone call in the not too distant future from RHQ for letting the "cat out of the bag" and this forum is a freedom of speech forum and I felt for one now was the time to let the "cat out of the bag" (Sorry RHQ Cardiff and sorry DES Williams I hope I haven't spoke out of turn).
I'll get off my "soap box" now.
Best Regards to all
BennytheBall
A Royal Welch Fusilier
Ps: There was no-one more upset about the merger and the colour green than me, but I have now come to terms (perhaps its old age) with it and that that change has to happen to keep us alive.
Again Benny thanks a million for your insider information...because that's what it is, information and actions that have been carried out on a need to know basis without consultation with US the members of the respective associations. I must respectfully remind these serving officers, once again, if it were not for the comrades the association would not exist. We should be consulted not delivered a fait accompliwhich seems to be the case as your information lays out.
I fully understand that we need to move on. We a grown men who have an identity and would like some input into how the individual history's we've all been part of are remembered by fellow comrades in the future.
I hope that Gen Porter and the Regimental Committee sit up and take note of what is being said here and deliver some sort of equitable outcomes we can all sign-up to!
Hingey
Paul I agree with your sentiments fully, I expect that the "Jungle Drums" are beating in the higher echelons of both Associatons at this present time and decissions have already probably be made or discussed and it will take time to filter down to us foot soldiers Keep watching this space
Best Wishes
Fellow RWF Comrade
BennytheBall
Benny and Paul while i take on board both your views. WE at Aber have a Standard we are proud of its RWF. However this new controversy means we as a branch will have two standards if we go along with this proposal then who? pays for them and secondly who carries them ,not me or my mates who are pushing 70. We are all members of a special unit and supported this military amalgamation, as civilian members our own branches surely our views must be heard. While i still belive that rules were made for the guidance of fools then it must be fools who make them.
Peter
the criteria will be that no 2 standards will be on parade at any one time as for the funding of the new standard Royal Welsh Comrades' Association will fund it.
It appears that I have "ruffled" a lot of people's feathers over this topic may I add that NO decissions have been made as yet until the RWFCA Executive Meeting and the RWFCA Annual Secretaries Meeting 2010, so let us not speculate on this topic at this present time, remember I've only given my personal views on this very sensitive subject.
Best Regards
BennytheBall