A Brief Look at Our History
Welsh Guards recruits still wearing the uniforms of their previous regiments shortly after arriving at White City in 1915. (Christina Broome Collection/ImperialWar Museum)
The Welsh Guards was raised on 26 February 1915 by order of King George V, in order to complete the national complement of regiments of Foot Guards identified with the countries of the United Kingdom.
On inception the Regiment took its place alongside the English Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards and the Irish Guards. Two days later, the Battalion mounted its first King's Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 - St David's Day.
Welsh Guardsmen in a reserve trench, Guillemont, September 1916. (ImperialWar Museum)
On 17 August 1915 the 1st Battalion sailed for France and formed part of the Guards Division. Its first battle was fought at Loos on 27 September 1915 and the Regiment's first Victoria Cross was won by Sergeant Robert Bye at Pilckem in July 1917.
No. 4 Company, 1st Battalion, during the attack on Cagny, July 1944. The Company Commander, Maj J. D. A. Syrett, is seen indicating a mortar target to Sgt Vessey. Gdsm Kitchen is in the foreground and Gdsm Fenwick is the Bren gunner. Major Syrett was killed a few days later. (Welsh Guards Archives)
Between the wars the 1st Battalion was stationed in Cologne, Egypt and Gibraltar, where it was at the outbreak of war in 1939.
The Regiment was expanded to three Battalions during World War II. The 1st Battalion fought in all the campaigns of North West Europe. The 2nd Battalion was formed in 1939 and fought in Boulogne in 1940, whilst the 1st Battalion was in Belgium as part of the British Expeditionary Force.
In May 1940, at the Battle of Arras, the Regiment's second Victoria Cross was won by Lieutenant the Hon Christopher Furness, who was killed in action. In 1941, a 3rd Battalion was raised and fought throughout the Tunisian and Italian Campaigns.
Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd Battalion formed part of the Guards Armoured Division - the 1st Battalion as infantry and the 2nd Battalion as an Armoured Battalion. The two Battalions working together were the first troops to re-enter Brussels on 3 September 1944 after an advance of 100 miles in one day, in what was described as "an armoured dash unequalled for speed in this or any other war".
The 1st Battalion moves forward, Normandy, July 1944. (Imperial War Museum.)
Welsh Guardsmen at Arras, 1940. (ImperialWar Museum)
No. 2 Squadron during the liberation of Brussels on 3 September 1944 shows (L to R) Sgt T. E. Williams, LCpl R. Gibson, a Belgian girl, Gdsm R. T. Pedgeon, LCpl H. Thomas, and Sgt G. H. Greenstock. (Welsh Guards Archives)
Shortly after the war, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded and the 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation. In the second half of the last century the 1st Battalion served in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Egypt, Germany, Aden, Cyprus and Belize, as well as forming part of the task force that fought in the Falklands campaign in 1982. The Battle Honour for which is now borne on the colours, with the details of those we lost memorialised by the Falkland Islanders in the many various place names as listed here.
Over the past 20 years, we in the Welsh Guards have continued to uphold our proud traditions of operational excellence and ceremonial distinction. Our training has taken us across the globe, with exercises conducted in the USA, Canada, Belize, Kenya, Morocco, France, and North Macedonia — each presenting its own demanding environment and offering opportunities to hone our warfighting skills alongside international partners.
Operationally, the 1st Battalion has played a key role in some of the British Army’s most significant deployments of the 21st century. We completed two tours in Bosnia during NATO’s stabilisation mission, helped maintain peace and security in Northern Ireland, deployed to Iraq during Operation TELIC, and served in Kosovo as part of wider peacekeeping efforts in the Balkans.
In Afghanistan, we undertook three major operational tours in 2009, 2012, and 2018. These deployments included a combination of combat operations, mentoring of Afghan National Security Forces, and force protection. The 2009 tour, during Operation HERRICK 10, saw some of our most intense fighting since the Second World War and came at great cost — including the loss of our commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, who was the first British Army battalion commander killed in action since 1982.
While our combat roles remain vital, we also continue to represent the Household Division in state ceremonial duties. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we adapted to unprecedented circumstances by performing a unique version of Trooping the Colour behind closed doors at Windsor Castle. Though the parade lacked public crowds, it was broadcast to millions worldwide and demonstrated our resilience and continued service to the Crown in challenging times.
In more recent years, we have played a prominent role in some of the most important national events of our era. We were heavily involved in the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, providing ceremonial and security support during a period of deep national mourning. In 2023, we proudly took part in the Coronation of King Charles III, reaffirming our historic bond with the monarchy and our central place in national life.
Through it all, the Welsh Guards Charity continues to support our serving soldiers, veterans, and their families — helping those affected by injury, trauma, or hardship, and preserving the spirit and legacy of our Regiment.
An electronic version of the History of the Welsh Guards by C.H. Dudley Ward DSO MC, first published in 1920, is available here.
