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  • Welshman, Warrior, Infantryman, Guardsman

The Welsh Guards

The Welsh Guards are Wales’s Senior Infantry Regiment with a formidable reputation forged throughout the last century. First and foremost we serve our nation as fighting soldiers, and also take immense pride in our ceremonial role as the guardians of the royal palaces. Every Welsh Guardsman strives to maintain the high standards of the Household Division in the continual pursuit of excellence.

The Welsh Guards have a dual role. We are Light Role Infantry, allowing us to lead from the front as a mobile and flexible attack force and deploy on operations around the world. We are also world class ceremonial soldiers, guarding the Royal Family and Royal palaces such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London and conducting State Ceremonial duties. Our red tunics and bearskins are recognisable all over the world.

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Active from

26 February 1915

Role

Infantry

Specialism

Light Role

We are first and foremost front-line Infantry soldiers, but are also one of the world’s best ceremonial Regiments, guarding Royal palaces and the Royal Family, and taking part in State Ceremonial duties. When you join us, you will first join a rifle Platoon as an Infantry soldier, but you will have to chance to develop and build your skills to become a specialist:

  • Combat Infanteer
  • Reconnaissance
  • Sniper
  • Machine Gunner
  • Mortar Operator
  • Anti-Tank Operator
  • Combat Communications Specialist
  • Assault Pioneer
  • Airborne Infanteer
  • Physical Training Instructor
  • Intelligence Specialist
  • Combat Team Medic

We are frequently deployed.

  • Our recent operational deployments include:
  • Operation Toral 6 (Afghanistan), 2018
  • Operation Herrick 16 (Afghanistan), 2012
  • Operation Herrick 10 (Afghanistan), 2009
  • Operation Telic 5 (Iraq), 2005

We also routinely deploy on exercises and Adventurous Training around the world. We have recently been in the jungles of Belize; the Falkland Islands; skiing and bobsleighing in France and Austria; on exercise in Germany, Romania and more. You can travel the world with us.

We are incredibly proud of our Welsh heritage, and most of our soldiers are from Wales or have Welsh roots, but we also welcome recruits from across the UK and Commonwealth. Wherever you are from, you will be welcomed into our family Regiment.

We are based in the historic town of Windsor.

1st Battalion, Welsh Guards
Combermere Barracks,
St Leonards Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 3DN

Regimental Headquarters
Welsh Guards Regimental Headquarters, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London, SW1E 6HQ

To find out more about joining the Welsh Guards, click the link below.

Find out more
Two soldiers, wearing camouflage uniforms and helmets, kneel behind a machine gun while firing it.

Past to present

The Welsh Guards was formed in 1915 by order of King George V. Over the course of our 100+ year history, we have distinguished ourselves both on and off the battlefield, and have taken part in almost every British Army campaign since the First World War.

The regiment is raised on the orders of King George V.

Lieutenant Furness VC wins his Victoria Cross with the British Expeditionary Force in Arras, France.

The 1st Battalion fights in the Falklands War, winning battle honours.

The 1st Battalion leads the assault on Operation Panchai Palang in Afghanistan.

The Regiment celebrates its centenary.

The 1st Battalion parade for Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday at Windsor Castle, the first unit to celebrate a Sovereign’s Birthday in Windsor since Queen Victoria’s Birthday in 1895.