Title

The hackle, although a visual emblem, was never a big part of my link with the regiments history. I didn't see the point. I think it means more to the RRF.

For me the most important "Golden Threads" were The Flash and the title Fusilier.

Looking back to my days as a 17yr old Fusilier, I can remember NAAFI discussions, amongst other youngsters, where we were convinced that we were paid more than yer average Private....sounds daft now, but we really believed it. I suspect that title means more to the lowest ranking soldier in the 1st Bn, than perhaps senior officers and non 1st Bn members realise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by richard@jungle1810.wanadoo

Gentlemen,
I have just read a most ill informed e mail that I have seen for many a year. The title Fusilier was granted to the RWF In 1702. It was one of the first regiments to be granted the singular honour of a Fusilier title and so we were known as THE WELCH REGIMENT OF FUSILIERSF from 1702,The "ROYAL" accolade was earned fighting in the WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION in 1713. I suggest some of the new comers do a bit more home work on what was once a truly great regiment To suggest that the hackle and flash epitomised or was responsible for our title FUSILIER is pure fiction. We had it long before the 1920;s.

Regards Don

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How can you say my post was ill informed. I never said you weren't called Royal Welch Fusiliers or The Welch Regt of Fusiliers. I am saying that Private soldiers have not always been called fusiliers. That only came into play in 1923. The information came from your (RWF) Museum website. Are you telling me that the information displayed on that website is incorrect.
The museum website clearly states "Since 1923 ordinary members of the Regiment ('Privates') have been officially known as Fusiliers".

I accept that the Regiment has been called Fusiliers in the title Royal Welch Fusiliers/The Welch Regt of Fusiliers since 1702 but up to 1923 the lowest rank was called Privates. The hackle and flash were mentioned as your Golden Threads and no mention was made that they were responsible for the title Fusilier. The title fusilier for a Private soldier has been mentioned as a golden thread in earlier posts. This is the post my reply was aimed at.

Gents
I’ve read with interest over the last few weeks all the points raised in regards to the title of Fusilier/Private and I believe it’s a discussion that can and probably would go on forever………. However I personally believe it’s time now to accept that both battalions are what they are and more importantly we should be concentrating on forging new links with what was the RRW who are now part of our family and us theirs THE ROYAL WELSH and finally god protect both battalions in these difficult times.
Sid Burns

Hello,
I did not look at the site quoted re the Fusilier sobriquet I think a lot of ambiguity exists over a few things RWF to the uninitiated. For a start the book of RWF S.D.G.W. lists all men not having received stripes as Privates. To the best of my knowledge when R.H.Q.s have information from the M.O.D.on soldiers from most regiments they are listed as privates.this in turn is converted to the title the regiment concerned prefers to use. In a nutshell all men who do not hold a rank are privates, this diktat is still in vogue today.For example to the best of my knowledge some one from the Rifle brigade is called a private by the M.O.D.It may well be that "Sappers" correct title according. to the M.O.D is also a private.I respectfully suggest a look at page nine of T.A.I. by Michael Glover will help clarify things. It appears I hit a raw nerve some where along the line.But i am no doubt that the title fusilier has been in vogue for many a year.Some books to improve knowledge of the RWF apart from the one quoted above is T.W.T.I.K by Captain J.C,Dunne.There are many others to numerous to mention in this e mail
Regards Don

Hi All,
I have like Sid Burns, been following this thread with some interest and you could say some amusement.
Its been a good debating point on the forum, but I now think that it has now worn thin, as older members of our old Regiments/Battalions, who are we to say whether members of the Royal Welsh should be called Fusilier or Private with the new dress regulations for the Regiment who is going to distinguish which Battalion that soldier is from let alone if he/she is a Fusilier or Private. I believe that this forum is for adult people to debate and discuss matters, so let us not get ourselves "shirty" over the Fusilier/Private debate, because at the end of the day its the Battalion Commanders choice of what he/she wants his/her soldiers title to be.

May the Force be with.
BennytheBall

well said sid my feelings exact