Cymraeg

Infantry

The Welsh Guards

WELSHMAN, WARRIOR, INFANTRYMAN, GUARDSMAN

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.

FACTS & FIGURES

Icon_Formed.svg

ACTIVE FROM

26 February 1915

Icon_Role.svg

ROLE

Infantry

Icon_Speacialism.svg

SPECIALISM

Light Role

our skills

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

Operation Toral (Afghanistan)

The Welsh Guards are frequently deployed. We are currently training to deploy on Op SHADER (Iraq) in 2021.

  • 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.

Our People

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.

170927-Columbus_Welsh_Section2.3_OurPeople.jpg
Guardsman Joseph Davies - Army mountain biker and mortarman

Elizabeth Barracks

Elizabeth Barracks

Combermere Barracks

We are based in the historic town of Windsor.

Get Directions

The Welsh Guards

I wanted to do a job I could be proud of Jordan, 21

Our Role

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.

Past to Present

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

  1. 1915

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

  2. 1940

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

  3. 1982

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

  4. 2009

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

  5. 2015

    The Regiment celebrates its centenary.

  6. 2020

    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.

List of Equipment used

SA80 Individual Weapon

Tests On its introduction, it proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned.

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

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

81mm Mortar

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

Small arms and support weapons

Heavy Machine Gun

12.7mm The powerful L1A1 12.7mm (.50) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) is an updated version of the Browning M2 Fifty-cal.

Small arms and support weapons

Grenade Machine Gun

Mounted The GMG is usually mounted on WMIK Land Rovers but can also be used from ground-based tripods.

Small arms and support weapons

Join Us

Find out more about Full-time and Part-time roles in the Infantry

Army Jobs

Locations

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