What will become of the Fusilier?

[BennytheBall]

I am quite disturbed in hearing that the 1st Bn Royal Welsh are moving to re-role at Tidworth. (what has to be - has to be)

Was, it not annouced by the Sec of State for Defence that the 2nd Bn Royal Welsh will disband and that the 1st Bn will continue ( I know it has been decided that the 2nd Bn will go in name only and that it will be re-titled the 1st Bn Royal Welsh).

A couple of questions I ask the "Powers to Be" is, will the RWF and the RRW name go completely and what will the soldiers be called in the new 1st Bn (Fusiliers or Privates).

If the RWF and the RRW name will not appear in any form in the title of this new Bn am I right in saying that these 2 fine old Regiments' History ( over 600 years in total) will be swept into the "Hall of Fame"

I know the Hackle/Plume and Flash is going to continue (I hope) and the 3 feathers cap badge and the green baising etc. but another question I ask myself - for how long? before the whole of the Infantry become a Corps and all wear the same cap badge and lose their Regimental names and just become like the "Yanks", numbered Bns.

My apologiies to anyone who think that I've got my facts wrong, but I'm sorry, with what has happened in the past, since 2006, I am pesimystic than optimystic. (try do a spell check, but failed).

[wally15]

it will be a sorry day if we loose the fusilier it has been there for so long i can not think of it not being included in the reg name 15

[Paul Davies 701]

Benny

From the information I have the "new" Battalion will be made up of the following Companies

A COY - Prince of Wales Company

B COY - Rorakes Drift Company

D COY - Royal Welch Fusiliers Company

Not only that but those in D Company will be called Fusiliers while the others will be called Privates.

Obviously this is all subject to confirmation

[jcj]

Paul if what you say is correct IMHO I think that one Coy being called Fusiliers and the remaining Coys being called Pte’s is absurd and confusing. Imagine the scenario when a VIP visits the Regiment one minute he/she is being introduced to Fusilier Evans and in the next breath they are introduced to Pte Jones. Either all Fusiliers or all Pte’s.

[ap1]

I agree Colin, to me the titling of 70 odd men is a meaningless exercise. Obviously as an ex Royal Welchman, I would like to see all the guys titled "Fusilier", for me that would be a proper link to its historic past. Although I can understand why there would be opposition to that from the 2nd Bn/RRW side.

[jcj]

IMHO it makes little difference what they call the soldiers or the new title 1st 2nd Royal Welch etc.At the end of the day both former Regiments have been shafted but not so much by HMG but by the Army board. They bear little resemblance of what we were with the ad hoc mix of Cap Badge collar dogs Battle honours etc. The top brass did not make the cuts fairly or logically. All three Para Bn’s retained, when did they last do an operational drop? The Rifles all five Regular and two TA Battalions were left untouched; it pays to have friends in high places. As for the Foot Guards and the Jocks at the risk of repeating myself, in my ten years in recruiting they always struggled to recruit and their retention rate was appalling. That said I wish all ranks of whatever the Royal Welsh end up as the very best. At least I can look back on 44 years of service with great memories marvelous friends and comrades, from both RRW and RWF.

[Bob Lloyd]

First we should ask what a Fusilier is. When I joined I was given a piece of paper written by RSM Lewis explaining all (see below). Apart from the last paragraph I'm not sure it applies now, especially bit about the Government supports them, but maybe applies to a number of Forum members! Anyone recognize it?

Between the security of childhood and the insecurity ofsecond childhood we find a fascinating group of Welsh humanity called Fusiliers.They come in assorted shapes and sizes, in trucks, in dirty denims, in love, inpolice vans, in public and always in debt. Girls love them, the towns toleratethem and the Government supports them.

A Fusilier is laziness with a pack of cards, bravery with atattered Hank Jansen and the protector of the earth on a dozen pints. He hasthe energy of a tortoise, the slyness of a fox, the brain of an idiot, thestories of a Sea Captain, the sincerity of a born liar and the inspiration of aCasanova. Some of his interests are girls, females, women, she’s, dames, birdsand the opposite sex. His dislikes are answering letters, wearing uniform,brasso, muster parades, drawers pyjama type, guards, reveille and ProvostSergeants.

No one else could cram into one pocket a dirty handkerchief,a packet of crushed cigarettes, two used matches, a picture of his girl, acomb, a bottle opener, a piece of 4 x 2, an empty .22 case, an old pass, athing and what’s left of last weeks pay. He likes spending his money on beer,girls, beer, cards, beer, char and wads, beer and what’s left foolishly.

His worldly achievements have been to fight the ‘BlackJocks’ to a standstill in Minden, found a woman in the middle of the Libyandesert, sold Imber Village to a visiting American General, pawned the goat,made 80 Evans cry, Bill Street swear and brought chastity belts into style inHoniton.

A Fusilier is a magical creature, you can lock him out ofyour homes but not your heart, you can scratch his name off the nominal rollbut not out of your mind, he is your one and only, bleary eyed, foul-mouthed,good for nothing FRIEND.

[Bricoates]

it will be a sorry day if we loose the fusilier it has been there for so long i can not think of it not being included in the reg name 15

Your right Wally, this is why it's important that we keep our Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association's, in name, tradition and values, otherwise we shall go under with the rest.

[Joe Cartwright]

I agree with you Wally. Also while we are on the subject why should the 1st Bn. be dictated to by what was the Welch Regt. If it is to be given a title it should be : 1st Bn. The Royal Welch Fusiliers. Also bring back the old cap badge!

[richie264]

One Coy called Fusiliers ?? oh yeh what happens on inter Coy postings & the paperwork etc