The Welsh Guards was raised by Royal Warrant on 26 February 1915. Such was the response to join the Regiment that it was able to mount its first Royal Guard at Buckingham Palace only a few days later on 1 March 1915. Soon afterwards, as part of the Guards Division, it found itself in France fighting its first action at the Battle of Loos on 27 September. Fulfilling the high expectations placed upon it, this became the Welsh Guards’ first battle honour.

Since its formation in 1915 the Welsh Guards have fought in nearly every major conflict the British Army has been involved in since WW1. The only exceptions are Korea and the First Gulf War. The Regiment has 47 Battle Honours. Its most recent deployments have been the Falklands War in 1982, where the Regiment lost 36 killed in action, Iraq in 2005/ 2006 and tours to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2012. The Afghanistan tours resulted in the loss of nine Welsh Guardsmen killed with many more wounded.

In peace or war, the Welsh Guards continue to maintain the very highest military standards. The Regiment’s spirit remains firmly rooted in Wales and it is hugely proud of its Welsh heritage and connections. The Regimental motto is Cymru Am Byth (Wales for Ever) and its cap badge is the Leek. It prides itself on being a close family Regiment, retaining strong links with both serving and retired soldiers.

The 2015 Centenary is a special year for the Regiment. Underpinning it is not just a celebration of our formation but also a reflection on and remembrance of the many fallen and wounded from the world wars of the last Century and also from more recent conflicts.

We are especially grateful to the Peterson family for supporting our Centenary Year and in joining us to celebrate, to look back and to look forward, during this unique year.

Major General Robert Talbot Rice
Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Welsh Guards

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