Reunion issues

[Paul Davies 701]

This has been a very interesting thread and one I feel has been brewing for some time. First of all I agree with Tony Corbett regarding Maj General Roddy Porter considering he was badge RWF he seems to have "Turned Green" on these matters and it was a lot of his implementation that has been the fuel for the debates that rage on today. The Bargoed & Blackwood Branch has the view that we remain staunchly RWFCA until the last man standing, however we welcome the formation of the RWA if it means the guys that currently serve get the same sense of comradeship etc as we currently enjoy when its their turn to leave. Not only that but as we're now "associated" to the RWA we feel that hopefully our ranks will be boosted by guys from the 1st & 2nd Battalions from our area when they leave and find the Bargoed & Blackwood Branch in their area. Does it matter if they are 1st or 2nd Bn as long as they keep our Branch going? Obviously at this moment in time we're very, very much RWFCA and follow its ethos religously but we're all getting older and eventually we'll be joining that great Battalion in the sky and meeting up with those great characters who have gone before but knowing that the Bargoed & Blackwood Branch (that I helped form) will still be going long after I've gone means more to me than anything else that has been debated on here.

[jungle1810]

Paul,
Re your last thread. I asked the specific question on a meeting in Cardiff " Would all efforts to make any soldier who retires be actively encouraged to join the new ROYAL WELSH ASSOCIATION " The W.O.'s present said yes that is the case. More nails knocked in our coffin. But you are to be commended for your extreme optimism.
Regards as ever RBD

[jungle1810]

Paul,
Re your last thread. The first thing I have put on my agenda submitted to Wrexham for OUR A.G.M. is to safe guard our Constitution and money as I have done on the last three executive meetings. Any other dislikes can be brought up on A.O.B.How about a new motto for the RWFCA. it should read "THE RWFCA KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR THE RWFCA"
Regards RBD aka jungle1810

[wally15]

0n the 15th of march 1960 i joined the RWF and at the same time joined the RWFCA and remain a member to this day, and as long as i have got a breath in my boddy i will remain a true RWFCA member. i dont travel to reuinon at wrexham due to ill health but if that will change in the future and i do go to wrexham i will stand proudly shoulder to shoulder with my RWFCA members as ourRWFCA standerd is paraded passed us. long live the RWFCA.

[Brian Robert Dexter Dando]

Well said Wally

Brian

[ap1]

Gerry

Many thanks for your post. The letter from Anthony Vivian is both illuminating and I will say a little concerning:

1. Des Williams already works for the RWRA as the Assist Regt Sec (North) and has primary responsibility for Welfare Matters for the RW and for the Comrades...he also is the Secretary of both the RWFCA and the RWRA as Merfyn Lloyd is the Chairman.....just to clear that point up.

Hingey

Excellent post Paul. Just a thought, it must be extremely difficult to be Secretary/Chairman of the both associations, whilst all of this discourse is taking place in the background.

[Vic Hughes 53]

All,

I have followed the thread with great interest and from my perspective having served with 1RWF, 1 R WELSH and now currently serving as the RQMS with 2 R WELSH see all points of view but ulitmately know this issue will take time to resolve and move forwards. From a serving member point of view the merger has worked and the boys in both battalions are cut from the same cloth whether they be from the North or South. I think with the ineveitable cuts on the horizon we should be concerned about the future of the Royal Welsh, because if one battalion is cut there is a line of anticendancy potentially lost forever. I think regardless of past cap badge we have to be unified across the board to ensure the Royal Welsh and the history of its forefathers carries on. If we do not get it right there could be a comrades association in the future with no tangible connect to a living and active welsh regiment. It is not my intention to cause discord on this thread because I am very proud of my RWF routes and I know my father (Vic 39) and brother (Vic 84) 50 years service between them in 1RWF are as well. However, what ever happens in the future with RWFCA must be balanced with what could happen to 1 or 2 R WELSH in the next few years.

Best Regards

Vic 53

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Well put Vic. I think however that it is easier for yourself and those still serving to adapt to the changes that are afoot by the very fact that you have served with both regiments (RWF/RW). It is harder for those who are "one badged" to accept when it appears (as it has), that the head shed has "turned green" overnight and has not bothered to give any statement to the contrary. Perhaps this Forum is felt unworthy despite it's huge membership of Royal Welch Fusliers or maybe that is the exact reason for not doing so - too many people willing to speak their minds. As you rightly say who knows what will happen in the future with cuts around each corner, perhaps Welsh Battalions will be intergrated into some sort of Southern division. More reason perhaps that The RRW association and the RWF association remain as strong as ever for the new Battalions to fall back on with the traditions still alive and well if it all goes belly up. How would it be with an association barely two or three years old starting all over. Never happen...........with these fickle politicians anything is possible. If I know these guys like I think I know them, there will always be Royal Welch Fusliers. They will support the New Regiment and will always keep a welcome to those who who feel their roots are RWF but they will remain Royal Welch Fusiliers and NO General, serving or otherwise, "Green" or otherwise will change it.

[Vic Hughes 53]

Gwyn,

I understand your sentiments. In the present climate I do not think the Royal Welsh will be amalgmated with an English regiment, however, I think a Royal Welsh battalion could be cut. Presently, the principality provides 3 infantry battalions, the Royal Welsh and the Welsh Guards. The Welsh Guards are unlikley to take a hit therefore one of our battalions could. I would then surmise that both battalions will be subsumed into one, forming The Royal Welsh (23,24,41,69 of foot). This in effect would sever the direct anticendancy connection between the 1st Bn with RWF and the 2nd Bn with RRW as is currently. You are right in your observation with regards to those still serving accepting change easier, but then not to have done, would have been unproffesional and unjust to all those who went before and to all those that have enlisted into this great welsh infantry regiment since March 1st 2006.


Vic

[jungle1810]

Hello All,
In a recent thread re the A.G.M. I placed on the forum, I mentioned to Hingey that more points can be raised on A.O.B. This has been countermanded in an e mail I received today. It now appears that if the branch secs/members do not put any complaints on the agenda (14 days before the Meeting minor or other wise). They will be told to sit down. PRO BONO PUBLICO.You have been warned make sure if you have any complaints add them to the agenda for the A.G.M.
Regards RBD aka jungle1810.