Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh

What’s the thing on the back of your uniform for? Quirks and traditions of the British Army.

/ welshtrumpeter / 3 Comments

The various Regiments of the British Army have, since their inception, been steeped with customs and traditions, many of which are still observed and implemented to this day. 

Often these “quirks” are unique to certain Regiments or even particular individuals within the Regiment. Take for instance the rule regarding the wearing of beards. The Pioneer Sergeant is one of the few positions within the British Army allowed to have a beard when on parade. Pioneer Sergeants have existed since the 1700s and the tradition began when every British infantry company had one ‘pioneer’ who would march in front of the regiment and that ruling still applies to this day.

Sgt Walters 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment (Rory Lewis Military Portrait Photographer London (2006)

Portrait By Rory Lewis (Soldiery British Army Portraits Book Available from Amazon).https://amzn.to/2VOTxvW

Variations which can also be found within Regiments are the rank titles used, or drill protocols, such as when to salute and how to address senior ranks. Nothing highlights this better than the following short film clip! I defy you not to at least smirk when watching this!

Another tradition for some Regiments is that at Mess Dinners those dining are not required to stand for the “Loyal Toast” as it is taken as read that their loyalty is never in question, therefore there is no requirement to demonstrate it.

For my own Regiment, The Royal Welsh, we too have many of these traditions. One particular quirk relating to our uniform relates to the five silk ribbons found attached to the collar on the back of the Ceremonial uniform called “The Flash” and is unique to the Regiment.
Harking back to the late 1700’s, the soldiers would have their hair tied into a pig-tail and then greased and powdered as opposed to washing it. This however would have marked their tunics, therefore their hair was tied up in a “queue bag” or “flash” so as to protect their uniform.

The “Flash”

The Flash itself consisted of five overlapping black silk ribbons (seven inches long for soldiers and nine inches long for officers) on the back of the uniform jacket at neck level. In 1808, this practice was discontinued when the Army decided that hair for all soldiers be cut close to the neck.

The Officers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers however decided to retain the ribbons on their uniforms and continued wearing the Flash. In 1834 however, whilst inspecting the 23rd Foot, a less-than-impressed General  complained about the “superfluous” decoration on the collar of the coat and the matter was referred to none other than the King himself. The General’s main objection being that the Flash presented a potential target to the enemy. King William IV however took a difference stance to the General and was keen to approve its use, stating that no Welshman would turn his back on the enemy, therefore such a problem would never exist! Therefore the Flash was approved as “a peculiarity whereby to mark the dress of that distinguished Regiment”.

The Flash as seen on the uniforms of the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh

This was worn up until 1900, only by Officers, Warrant Officers and Colour Sergeants, but then was extended to all ranks of the Royal Welch Fusiliers when in full dress, and then in 1924 was further approved for wear on Ceremonial Parades and when walking out.

Queen’s Birthday Party – Rome 2019

Many of you by now will be shouting out loudly at my lack of care and proof-reading in spelling Welch as I did, therefore cue the next explanation.

The use of Welsh and Welch has over the centuries been used side by side, either accidentally or deliberately and as a result, regiments maintained tradition and identity and dug their heels in by sticking resolutely to their preferred spelling. Following the Great War, two senior ranking Officers made an official application to the Army Board for official sanctioning of the spelling of “Welch”. This was granted by the War Office in 1920.  

Since then and as various Regiments have amalgamated, the more conventional spelling “Welsh” has been adopted and the current Regiment (that has been in existence since 2006) is known as “The Royal Welsh”.

These are just a handful of the many traditions that make the British Army so unique and special and I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about them, as much as I have researching them.

Thanks for reading the blog. For further information regarding the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh please click on the link.

 

A new challenge. My story could be your story!

/ welshtrumpeter / Leave a comment

As I write this latest Blog, we are in some form of lock-down, due to the Corona virus. Our daily routines and activities have certainly changed beyond all recognition and many people have used this enforced spare time, to invest in projects and activities that they’ve often thought about doing, but never really got round to, due to lack of time or inclination. Attics, gardens and garages everywhere have never been so tidy!!! It’s also been an opportunity for people to re-evaluate what is really important to them in their lives e.g. friends and family, good health, the ability and freedom to come and go as you please, job satisfaction and career choices, as well as hobbies and pastimes. Having something that is precious taken away from you only highlights how much we value it.

Lock-down has also given people time to think and assess what they want from life post Covid-19, when we can return to some semblance of normality and this period of reflection will perhaps ignite a desire for change and the pursuit of a new challenge?

I had one of these “Saul on the road to Damascus” moments some 14 years ago, at the grand age of 39, I decided that I needed something new, something different and something that would kick-start my enthusiasm for life in general. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t doing too badly for myself. I had a nice house, a job that I really loved doing and was managing to pay the bills each and every month. So what was the problem? The answer was, that I simply needed to be doing something that I’d never experienced before, that took me away from the “same old, same old” and perhaps out of my comfort zone, to where I couldn’t put my feet on the bottom of the pool and had to swim a little harder to stay afloat.

From a somewhat pessimistic and negative viewpoint, I felt I had ticked as many boxes as was possible in terms of my music-making experiences (particularly on a professional level) and that there were no more “Everests” remaining that I was capable of climbing and that I should be happy with what I’d already achieved. “So what changed?” I hear you ask.

Following a chance encounter with a friend I was encouraged to consider joining the Army Reserve as a Musician. I’d always been interested in all things Military ever since I was young, but the concept of playing in a Military Band – no change that to a Military brass band (as at the time it was the ONLY brass band in the British Army! – and getting paid for it fried my brain somewhat. Over the years, I’d been used to the concept of attending band twice a week (increasing in the run up to a major competition) and getting zilch for doing it, other than the huge amount of pleasure of performing at a high level and at some of the top venues around Europe.

The Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Having done my research and then attending a few rehearsals at the Barracks (to get a feel of what I was potentially letting myself in for) and asking hundreds of questions such as “what if…?”, “how many…?”, “will I have to do this….. will I have to do that?”, I was reassured that this was a good move and would be a decision that I wouldn’t regret.

Fast-forward 14 years and I now can say that this was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I discovered not only a new “Everest” to climb, but my “K2”, “Kilimanjaro” and many more peaks, with new ones still emerging even now. This new challenge brought a new dimension to not only my musical world, but to my personal and life experiences too and at the same time, I got paid for doing it and it brought me new career pathways too, as all these years later, not only am I a Sergeant and a musician, I am now the Recruiter for that Band – the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh.

Corps of Army Music Short Term Training Team – Uganda 2015

Words cannot begin to describe the new horizons that I’ve encountered over these 14 years, but suffice to say that if you’re currently bored, feeling unfulfilled, craving something new or just plain curious to know “what if…..?” then go for it! Ask the question and see whether it is for you.

Whether it’s learning a new language, deciding to do a triathlon or joining a Regimental Band in the Army Reserve, then follow your dream and see where it takes you!

WW1 Commemorations, Thiepval Memorial – France 2016

For more information about the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/royalwelshband/

Last Post – Belgium 2019

Thanks for reading the Music for You blog.

Farewell and hwyl fawr to a National icon

/ welshtrumpeter / Leave a comment

He made the headlines, not only in Wales but all over the United Kingdom and beyond.

He was one of the most well-known and much-loved icons of Wales and his face was recognised by all wherever he went.

His appearances at the Millennium Stadium, (later to become the Principality Stadium) were legendary and caused England Rugby Manager Eddie Jones to name him as one of Welsh team’s added threats. His performances on the field were first class.

He was on first name terms with Royalty, politicians, celebrities and the average man and woman on the street. Children loved him and everyone wanted to have their photograph taken with him.

He was a true figurehead and represented his “Team” with great pride and was the first person you saw leading his Comrades out on public engagements.

He did have a tendency to smell at times and would give you a fair bashing (if he was feeling grumpy) and even though he was only with us for just seven and a half years, he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Rest in Peace Lance Corporal, your duty is done!

Lance Corporal Shenkin III (Regimental Mascot of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh)

 

A strange coincidence or perhaps something more?

/ welshtrumpeter / Leave a comment

It’s curious how certain occasions can throw up the most amazing coincidences, without anyone trying or even most people realising what has taken place. Some call it serendipity and others would say that a “higher-being” was working their “magic”, but whatever your thoughts, I hope you find this little anecdote an interesting read.

As many of my regular blog readers will know, I’m a member of the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh and for part of our Annual Camp this year, we were honoured to be invited to attend the 100th Anniversary Commemoration Service of the Battle of Passchendaele, held  at the Welsh Memorial in the small village of Langemarck in Belgium.

The Welsh Memorial at Pilckem Ridge, Langemarck in Belgium

The guests of honour included His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, Belgian and Flanders politicians, high-profile Military representatives, plus members of the Armed Forces, Comrades and Veterans Associations and over a thousand members of the public, who had made the journey, many to honour fallen relatives.

Running in parallel with this Commemoration was the unveiling of a memorial stone to the Welsh language poet Private Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known as Hedd Wyn. He served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was killed in action on the 31st of July 1917 at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Prior to leaving home for action on the Front, Hedd Wyn had submitted a poem (under the pseudonym of “Fleur de Lis”) to the Chair Competition at the National Eisteddfod held that year in Birkenhead.

Royal Welsh Fusiliers Cap Badge 

When it was announced at the Chairing Ceremony that Hedd Wyn was the winning poet, but that he was not present to be acknowledged and honoured due to being killed in action, the Chair (ironically designed by a Belgian!) was draped in black cloth and was dubbed as “Cadair Ddu Penbedw” or “The Black Chair of Birkenhead”.

Despite his absence, the winning Bard was accorded the full honours and adulation that the winner is normally given, with tributes offered in verse, song and dance.

Now to the coincidence of my visit with the Band. The winning Bard is honoured with a rendition of the song “Rhyfelgyrch Capten Morgan”  or “Captain Morgan’s March” (sometimes known as “Men of Glamorgan”), sung by a member of The Gorsedd or Assembly of Druids. It just so happened, that the March (“The Welshman”) that the Regimental Band played, to lead the procession to the Monument that day, contained an excerpt of that very same tune!

As a young lad, I “cut my musical teeth” competing in numerous eisteddfodau all over Wales and whilst attending, heard this song performed on many, many occasions. Marching past the Hedd Wyn Memorial playing this tune, the connection and meaning was quite powerful to say the least!

Shan Cothi sings “Rhyfelgyrch Capten Morgan” at the National Eisteddfod Chairing Ceremony.

Hedd Wyn never got to hear that musical tribute in his honour back in 1917, but 100 years later, in a small village in Belgium, he was afforded that recognition and one hopes that he would have approved that we, as his own compatriots were the ones to deliver it!

The Memorial Stone at Pilckem Ridge