I'm not one to winge but!

[ap1]

Hello all,
There is no point in protesting now, on the the 22nd February 2005 Brigadier RHT Atkin then Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Wales wrote to Major General CH Elliot CVO CBE then Colonel Commandant, Headquaters The Prince of Wales Division saying amongsts other things that " the RRW approach to FIS has been to do as we are told: merge with RWF to form a new regiment"

I agree with Joe, it's now to late, and yes I also feel let down. Everything appears to have been handed over on a plate. The more I learn about the history of our regiment, only serves to increase my disappointment in the way things have panned out. But i'm afraid its too late to complain, that moment was 18 months ago when this site and others were actively campaigning to prevent the merger.

Al

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I wasn't going to put my threepenneth in but-- I disagree with Joe but only in that we as Royal Welchmen having done our bit have a right to air our views and I totally agree with Will 38. Those who remember "Colonel Fury" headlines in the seventies will remember a C.O. who raged his complaints on the front pages of the tabloids and continued to have a very worthwhile career. So where were the screams of outrage and betrayal when it came to saving the Regiment? It is only in my very humble and maybe unworthy opinion that necks were told to be wound in, and in a competetive world of "jobs for the boys" serious choices had to be made. In short lads if you were and still are a Loyal Royal Welchman keep airing your views, as it helps sometimes just to get it off your chest and to hell with anyone who thinks otherwise. There I feel a little better already. Regards. Nick

[keithwill38]

if i seem to remember,no shouting or no to amalgamation came from the RRW,i suppose they were warned resist this move and you go altogether,so they kept it shut,GOD I HATE GREEN......

[taffylooneytoon]

I also think that Welch assemble, Politicians, Westminster, can be fickle and change their position if the right press and opposition is brought to bare, maybe we should bring this up at the comrades weekend.
All branches, should be told whats going on, as the are not told about this think until its to late.
Their is a branch meeting tonight in wrexham, so hopefully they will let me brooch the subject their, cheers Val.

[beefy22]

if its any cosolation, us who are still serving with the battalion, are going through the same emotions, and its ongoing decusion over many a beers from the the officers mess right down to the jrc.

[daibeer]

Well, I'm glad I had a winge, now I know I'm not alone. Hi Gwyn, long time no see. Well, I have always actively campaigned against the ruination of the Regiment by putting letters in the local rags etc to no avail, however, I am not going to stop protesting. I am going to try to attend the reunion this year because its the only thing Royal Welch left ( until the venue goes to Cardiff) but I will not be attending the Parade, I dont want to see a divisional band or The Royal Welsh Band from Cardiff beating retreat and I will not be attending the dinner to hear some top nob giving us a brief on the state of the Regiment. The Royal Welch Fusiliers died on amalgamation, (my opinion) we should have been allowed to leave the British Army with Pride, Dignity and Honour. I feel really sorry for you Beefy, I really do'nt know how you are coping. This is no gripe against the boys in the Regiment, in fact I like to think in my own way that they are chuffed that we are supporting them in this way. These are my own views. If any one wants to carry on the winge, write to your local rags and tell them what state the regiment is in, or like me, email Blair on www.pm.gov.uk and tell how you feel. regards to everyone
Dai

[John Turner]

One day in the 1960's (Gordon Bennet - in the last CENTURY!!) I was in town (Wrexham) - probably shoplifting with my mates - can't remember - when I heard this "BOOMPH - BOOMPH - BOOMPH - BOOMPH" - I followed it and got to Chester road, where the swiiming baths are now, and saw this red/white and silver mass coming at me from Llwyn isaf, led by a goat!

I walked alongside the band - entranced - something gripped me just THERE...
... then I walked smack into a lamp post!

I joined the RWF cadet band - B flat flute - then, at 15 signed on - IJLB Oswestry, and, although I was even in their corps of drums, never followed it through when I joined the Regiment - they were in Derry - you went where you were needed.

The next time that something gripped me 'just THERE' was in Berlin, 1989 or 90 - combined Officers'/Sergeant's mess function - Alma day maybe - lots of German hob nobs there too. We're overlooking the sports fields, all is in darkness, we hear the flutes playing "Billy don't be a hero" - from a distance -but you can't see anything.

Then - BANG - the whole band joins in at full throttle and in the same instant a shedload of spotlights hit this mass of red and white and gleaming silver coming at you, led by a goat.

I'd never have told anyone then, but I was glad it was dark... ... tears. Tears of pride, tears of nostalgia.

All taken away.

In Berlin they disbanded our band - that was it for me - the beginning of the end, I saw this coming and worse too, in fact I'm surprised it took this long.

Would Thatcher have let this happen? I doubt it!

The woman had what we had - PRIDE - for all her faults.

Blair and anyone before him, regardless of labour/conservative, basically takes it - we need someone who GIVES it.

[DP43]

Is it better to fight kicking and screaming and then have the will of some one else imposed on you or take control of your own destiny...as far as possible. Imagine the scene of a comitee from from the REME, RLC and RA deciding how the RWF and RRW should merge?
Maybe I feel strongly because I was on the comitte that disscussed these matters. Feel free to respond.Big Grin

[rikoshea]

Nice one Dai will see you in the Travellers Friday Night with the rest of the Drummers from past and present. I transfered from the Battalion in 1988 to the Ulster Defence Regiment because my emotions for a woman got the better of me. However my heart was always with the Regiment and always will be. I will leave this world knowing that i served with true Loyal and always Royal Welchmen no matter what. what next the newly formed Royal Welsh regiment will join with the Welsh guards and QDG to form the Royal Welsh Dragoon Guards. mmmmmmmmm maybe and then stretch our boys even more to places they shouldn't be because of oil and britain being another state of America.

[Rog Ball 01]

The wasy things are going forwarfd, I would not be suprised if all the County Regiment titles will go, and the Infantry Battalions will be known as a number only (american style !!!!)