Regimental Association Standard

[ianto73]

Based on all the above I have two questions for all you stalwarts of the RWFCA:-

How many years do you think the continuation of seperate Associations for the RWFCA and the RRW Association will last, and how will they be funded for those years?

As there will only be one main RHQ, how do you foresee it operate and prioritise when allocating finance and resources?

[bennyball2]

Hi all, there have been some very good comments on the new standard, as being the ex Cardiff RWFCA Standard Bearer I hope you dont mind me commenting on this issue.

There is a lot of talk about standards being carried on parade, as we know in the future all of us will eventually go to the great parade ground in the sky. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers will always be close to my heart. But as people on here have stated we have to move with the times.

For this reason can I suggest that for parade purposes that all comrades are present, and the new RW standard takes the pole position, flanked by the other two standards (i.e RWF & RRW Comrade standards) then the new standards of the RW followed by the standards of the branches of the RWF & RRW, we would then see a dwindling of RWF, RRW standards over the years which will be a natural process, as this occures then RWF, RRW branches can form into new branches of the RW. With all comrades taking up the rear of the standards I belive this will show real comradship with people who have kept the tradition of these great regiments going.

I really dont think there is one comrade on here who would not have given his life to save the life of any other comrade RWF, RRW or RW, and thats what comradship is all about, I for one served and trained with many fellow soldiers from the RRW.

There are some positives I sure that social events would become more often and we all love a good social event, just ask my brother??

Hope you can understand what I am trying to say, maybe some will disagree with the way I have placed the standards, but that is always open to discussion.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, be nice to see what comments there are.

Thanks Benny Ball 415

[peterlansley]

The way i see it is this, we should be more concerned with dwindling branch members. Without members branches are struggling to keep going,to replace or buy a new branch standard would be a big finance for any branch.

[UKSniper]

Hello Gents, it's a long time since I've visited these shores. I hope this post finds you all well. I thought I might be able to add a bit to your discussions.

The standard is made up of two component parts that were decided upon two yrs ago. The first is the Royal Welsh Regimental colour being Green. This was decided in 2007 prior to my departure and the Regimental Crest made up of the RWF blue background in the centre, rampant dragon, Wreath of Immortelles around the outside and RRW motto underneath (the RWF did not have one). These were all put together and passed as the crest in 2007. All RHQ have done is put these two together into a standard for the RW. There is nothing new about it so why should they want to involve you.

You must remember that it is the standard of the RW association which you did not want to be a part of and therefore gave up your right to have a say in their standard. On the other hand the RRW association embraced the RW and became a part of it.

Also as an academic point to me ,why were we not invited to discuss this most delicate issue after all the Welch regiment branch members who attended the meeting in Cardiff must also be civilians.?

RBD why would they invite you as it was a RW issue and not RWFCA. If you had attended you would probably have gone on about the SWB during the Zulu wars as you always seem to do. There are many examples of these tangents and petty stabs on these forums. You have already stated that you are an amateur historian "SELF TAUGHT". History is written and cannot be changed no matter how many different way's you interpret it. The term can't see the wood for the trees jumps to mind.

Politics and blame put aside there are many on here who can now see the merger for what it is (benny, ianto, AP etc). Yes the government made the decision and the serving soldiers followed orders as they always do. They made the best of what they had as quickly as they could because they had to get on with life. They did all this whilst fighting a war on two fronts (Iraq and Afghan). The changeover of the Pte - Cpl ranks in the battalions is so quick that an association for the veterans of this merger was needed ASP. The RW association was born. This was not done to slight the achievements of the RWF or RRW but out of necessity. As has already been said we all move on to the big parade ground in the sky and one day the RWFCA will need to become part of the RW association. Some of you may say 'over my dead body', well that just may be the case.

You will alway's be Royal Welchman who served proudly in the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

You will alway's be distinguishable as Royal Welch Fusiliers by you blue beret, bomb cap badge and hackle.

The Royal Welsh will alway's have the RWF, Welch Regt, SWB and RRW as part of it's history.

[Paul Hinge]

Gentlemen,

I have just this minute come off the telephone with Lt/Col Merfyn Lloyd Chairman of the RWFCA and have his permission to give you an update on the topic of this thread.
Maj/Gen Plummer and Lt/Col Lloyd have held a meeting with Maj/ Gen Porter regarding the RWA. It is written in stone that whilst there are members of the RWFCA and other antecedent Comrades Associations of the Royal Welsh wish to carry on they are able to do so and will sit alongside the new RWA with equal status.
The RWA needs to be formed as the regiment has now been in existence for 4years and they have members of that regiment who will have left the RW and have only served with that regiment and they need to enjoy the camaraderie that we do in a similar organisation. It is therefore for that reason and that reason only the new association will be formed.
Captain Des Williams who is the RWFCA Secretary will also be the Secretary of the RWA this will ensure we have the closest of liaison between the RWFCA and the RW. The RWFCA will stay as an autonomous body as long as we wish it to be!
The other concern was that when the RW paraded that the RWFCA would not be allowed to parade. Nothing is further from the truth. Gen Porter (ex RWF Commanding Officer) wishes to see as many of the antecedent regimental associations on parade as is possible in their individual regalia.
I have been informed that there will be a full parade (possibly at Chester Racecourse) on 10th June where the Colonel-in-Chief H.M.Queen will present the new RWA standard at which we will all be welcome to be on parade in our individual headdress, blazers and standards.
As members will see, there are no underhand moves to subsume the RWFCA into the new Association only a wish to work together side-by-side in harmony as after all these men are our successors and uphold the traditions and standards that we hold so dear.

Hingey

[UKSniper]

Gentlemen,

I have just this minute come off the telephone with Lt/Col Merfyn Lloyd Chairman of the RWFCA and have his permission to give you an update on the topic of this thread.
Maj/Gen Plummer and Lt/Col Lloyd have held a meeting with Maj/ Gen Porter regarding the RWA. It is written in stone that whilst there are members of the RWFCA and other antecedent Comrades Associations of the Royal Welsh wish to carry on they are able to do so and will sit alongside the new RWA with equal status.
The RWA needs to be formed as the regiment has now been in existence for 4years and they have members of that regiment who will have left the RW and have only served with that regiment and they need to enjoy the camaraderie that we do in a similar organisation. It is therefore for that reason and that reason only the new association will be formed.
Captain Des Williams who is the RWFCA Secretary will also be the Secretary of the RWA this will ensure we have the closest of liaison between the RWFCA and the RW. The RWFCA will stay as an autonomous body as long as we wish it to be!
The other concern was that when the RW paraded that the RWFCA would not be allowed to parade. Nothing is further from the truth. Gen Porter (ex RWF Commanding Officer) wishes to see as many of the antecedent regimental associations on parade as is possible in their individual regalia.
I have been informed that there will be a full parade (possibly at Chester Racecourse) on 10th June where the Colonel-in-Chief H.M.Queen will present the new RWA standard at which we will all be welcome to be on parade in our individual headdress, blazers and standards.
As members will see, there are no underhand moves to subsume the RWFCA into the new Association only a wish to work together side-by-side in harmony as after all these men are our successors and uphold the traditions and standards that we hold so dear.

Hingey

Well said Paul.

[jungle1810]

Hello Paul,
Your e mail clears at least one point after you made representations to the powers that be, all the rumours and false info was clarified. It is now as Churchill once remarked "Jaw jaw is better than war war" Even allowing that expats from the Antipodes are not in the least bit affected having left our shores for reasons best known to themselves they seem most unduly peturbed over a matter that has little or no bearing on them now they are domiciled many thousands of miles away. All that was needed was correct and detailed information to be chanelled to the RWFCA. I think it best that the RWFCA be the best judge of what they care about, and not to be ruled out of consideration because we exercised our rights in a perfectly democratic way. In short the RWFCA knows what is best for the RWFCA, and should not be disenfranchised this is what gets peoples "HACKLES" up. Re sniper "MYCOBBER" keep your loaf well below the fire step and do not take a third light from a match for your cigarette despite rumours to the contrary I did miss your input for a while nice talking to you again.
Regards RBD

[Bricoates]

Hello Paul,
Your e mail clears at least one point after you made representations to the powers that be, all the rumours and false info was clarified. It is now as Churchill once remarked "Jaw jaw is better than war war" Even allowing that expats from the Antipodes are not in the least bit affected having left our shores for reasons best known to themselves they seem most unduly peturbed over a matter that has little or no bearing on them now they are domiciled many thousands of miles away. All that was needed was correct and detailed information to be chanelled to the RWFCA. I think it best that the RWFCA be the best judge of what they care about, and not to be ruled out of consideration because we exercised our rights in a perfectly democratic way. In short the RWFCA knows what is best for the RWFCA, and should not be disenfranchised this is what gets peoples "HACKLES" up. Re sniper "MYCOBBER" keep your loaf well below the fire step and do not take a third light from a match for your cigarette despite rumours to the contrary I did miss your input for a while nice talking to you again.
Regards RBD

Well said Richard.

[jcj]

"Even allowing that expats from the Antipodes are not in the least bit affected having left our shores for reasons best known to themselves they seem most unduly peturbed over a matter that has little or no bearing on them now they are domiciled many thousands of miles away".

Hello Jungle

do your comments include all expats who are members of this site or only the ones who disagree with your views ?

Colin

[Rog Ball 01]

It is good to see that the RWFCA is to stay and that Des 54, will be Regt Sec as well as being Sec of the RWFCA.

Regarding the prsentation of the New Standard by the Colonel in Chief, have the Queens and Regimental Colours been presented by Her Majesty. If not, is there a likely chance that they will be presented to the 3 Bns on the same day as the presentation on the New Standard.