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Cymraeg

WHO WE ARE

The Royal Welsh

DEATH RATHER THAN DISHONOUR

We are The Royal Welsh, loyal to our Royal Welsh family and proud of our history.
We live by our motto, Gwell Angau na Chywilydd: Death rather than Dishonour.
We are selfless in spirit, inspiring each other to achieve the extraordinary.
We are determined to succeed, courageous in adversity, never failing in our duty.
We are ferocious in battle, always ready to stand up, step forward and serve our nation.
We are Welsh Warriors.

FACTS & FIGURES

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ACTIVE FROM

16 March 1689

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ROLE

Infantry

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SPECIALISM

Armoured Infantry

our skills

Becoming a Welsh Warrior is not just a career move; it develops your potential through world class training. You'll join a Platoon as an Infantry soldier and as you gain experience you can build on your skills and become a specialist:

  • Combat Infanteer
  • Armoured Fighting Vehicle Gunner, Driver or Commander
  • Reconnaissance
  • Sniper
  • Machine Gunner
  • Mortar Operator
  • Anti-Tank Operator
  • Combat Communications Specialist
  • Assault Pioneer
  • Physical Training Instructor
  • Intelligence Specialist
  • Combat Team Medic

Op CABRIT - Estonia

Most recently the Royal Welsh took a leading role on Op CABRIT in Estonia and have personnel deployed on operations around the world including:

  • Estonia
  • Ukraine
  • Afghanistan
  • Iraq
  • Somalia 

Previous deployments:

  • Op HERRICK - Afghanistan
  • Op TELIC - Iraq

Our People

We are a Welsh Regiment and recruit from across Wales; many soldiers serve with relatives or close friends in the same Battalion. 

The Royal Welsh emulate the fine standards and traditions of its gallant forebears, to make it one of the finest Regiments in the British Army. Welsh Warriors are all part of one Welsh Regimental family. 

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Lt Matt Ixer
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Sgt Thomas Morris
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LCpl Ryan Jones

The Royal Welsh

I wanted a new challenge, and becoming a Welsh Warrior certainly offered that Luke, 23

Our Role

The Royal Welsh is Wales’ oldest and most decorated regiment.  As the Army’s most experienced armoured infantry unit, The Royal Welsh are a key part of the only warfighting division at continual operational readiness in the UK; ready to protect the UK and project its influence across the globe.

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Opportunities

The Royal Welsh has been on operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and most recently Estonia on Op CABRIT. Welsh Warriors have also been on operations in Somalia, Estonia, Ukraine, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Beyond operations, Welsh Warriors have the opportunity to deploy abroad on exercises in Canada, the USA, Germany, Cyprus, Brunei, Kenya and many more.

Adventurous training, sports and Short Term Training Teams further increase the chances for motivated men and women to fulfil their potential as part of a close-knit, family regiment.

THROUGH THE YEARS

The history of the Royal Welsh covers over 330 years, including nearly every major campaign that the British Army has participated in. Its antecedent regiments, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales amalgamated in 2006, uniting into one family Regiment the 23rd, 24th, 41st & 69th Regiments of Foot.

  1. 1689

    The 23rd and 24th Regiments of Foot were raised only 8 days apart on the 16th and 24th of March.

  2. 1854

    The Battle of Alma was one of the first major battles of the Crimean War. During this engagement, the Royal Welch Fusiliers distinguished themselves on the field of battle. Their bravery and valour was recognised with the awarding of the first Victoria Crosses (VCs) to members of the Regiment.

  3. 1879

    The 24th of Foot (later known as the South Wales Borderers), fought at Isandhlwana and Rorke’s Drift where it would be awarded seven Victoria Crosses.

  4. 1944

    The South Wales Borderers are the only Welsh unit to land at D Day. They would proceed to liberate the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and later participate in the liberation of Arnhem.

  5. 1951

    During the Korean War Welsh Warriors once again fought together: 1 WELCH were sent to Korea accompanied by a company of RWF and a platoon from the SWB.

  6. 2000s

    Since 2000 the Royal Welsh have deployed to Iraq on TELIC 10, Afghanistan on HERRICK 11 & 16 and most recently to Estonia on Op CABRIT 2. The Royal Welsh are a key element of the UK’s only warfighting division and contribute soldiers and officers to the Army's new Ranger Regiments.

Our Locations

  • 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (1 R WELSH)

    Lucknow Barracks, Lowa Road, Tidworth, SP9 7BU Email: [email protected]

  • 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh (3 R WELSH)

    Maindy Barracks, Cardiff, CF14 3YE Email: [email protected]

  • RHQ The Royal Welsh (Cardiff)

    Maindy Barracks, Cardiff, CF14 3YE Email: [email protected]

  • B Company (3 R WELSH)

    Army Reserve Centre: Alamein Rd, Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2HP Email: [email protected]

  • B Company Detachment

    Boulevard St, Brieuc, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, SY23 1PH Email: [email protected]

  • C Company (3 R WELSH)

    Army Reserve Centre: Broadway, Pontypridd, CF37 1BW Email: [email protected]

  • C Company Detachment

    Detachment: Drill Hall, Bethesda St, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8LF Email: [email protected]

  • D Company (3 R WELSH)

    Army Reserve Centre: Groes Rd, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd, LL29 8PU Email: [email protected]

  • D Company Detachment

    Detachment: Hightown Barracks, Kingsmills Rd, Wrexham, LL13 8RD Email: [email protected]

  • HQ Company (3 R WELSH)

    Army Reserve Centre: Maindy Barracks, Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, CF14 3YE Email: [email protected]

  • The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh

    Army Reserve Centre: Maindy Barracks, Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, CF14 3YE Email: [email protected]

Welsh Warriors on the offensive

Explore our equipment

WARRIOR

Used in the reconnaissance role to find and mark targets to destroy. Equipped with their own anti-armour weapons, they can also pack a punch.

Combat vehicles

L115A3 Long Range 'Sniper' Rifle

600 metres They are designed to achieve a first-round hit at 600 metres and harassing fire out to 1,100 metres.

Small arms and support weapons

L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle

7.62mm The rifle fires a 7.62mm round and has enhanced accuracy of engagement during longer-range firefights.

Small arms and support weapons

General Purpose Machine Gun

GPMG The general purpose machine gun (GPMG) can be used as a light weapon and in a sustained fire role.

Small arms and support weapons

Guided Weapons

Anti-tank weapons The Javelin anti-tank weapon and the Next-generation light anti-tank weapon.

Small arms and support weapons

81mm Mortar

5650 metres High explosive, smoke and illuminating rounds to a maximum range of 5650m.

Small arms and support weapons

PANTHER

Up in the air Weighing 7-tonnes, the Panther is air transportable and can be underslung beneath a Chinook helicopter.

Protected patrol vehicles

COMBAT BODY ARMOUR

Armour Osprey assault body armour and Virtus body armour system.

Personal Equipment

Interested in becoming a Welsh Warrior?

We recognise your potential, find where you belong, click the link to find out more about becoming a Welsh Warrior.

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