29th November 1808 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY - 2nd Battalion begins retreat to Coruña, Spain

 29th November 1808 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

2nd Battalion begins retreat to Coruña, Spain, 1808

It formed part of Sir John Moore’s army, which was moving from Coruña to help the Spanish drive the French out of their country. In December 1808 he learnt that Napoleon with the Grande Armée had arrived in Spain. To avoid being trapped Moore decided to retreat to Corunna over snow-covered mountains. It was a desperate business which greatly taxed the army’s discipline. It is a tribute to 2 RWF that they lost only 78 men in the retreat and the battle that followed.

The wearing of the ‘Flash’ first sanctioned, 1834

 28th November 1834 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

The wearing of the ‘Flash’ first sanctioned, 1834

In 1808 the pigtail was abolished in the army. Its implementation in the Regiment was very unpopular. The officers, as a mark of protest, took to wearing the ribbons from the queue bag and formed them into a ‘flash’ — slang for a wig — and attached it to the collar of their coats. In 1834, when the Regiment returned from abroad, they were ordered to be removed. An appeal was made to William IV who gave his approval ‘as a peculiarity to mark the Dress of that distinguished Regiment.’

Surrender of King Theebaw, Burma, 1885

 28th November 1885 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Surrender of King Theebaw, Burma, 1885

1 RWF serving in India was ordered to join the force about to leave for Rangoon because of strained relations between the King of Burma and the Indian Government. A brigade which included 1 RWF was sent to Ava. The Burmese requested an armistice. This was refused until King Theebaw surrendered himself. On the 27th this was agreed and next day he surrendered unconditionally, and was escorted by B Company to the waiting steamer.

40th Division, with 19 RWF, at attack on Bourlon Wood, France, 1917

 25th November 1917 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

40th Division, with 19 RWF, at attack on Bourlon Wood, France, 1917

The failure to take Bourlon ridge during the tank battle of Cambrai meant its capture was given to 40th Division with 19 RWF a ‘bantam’ battalion of men under 5' 3".

The wood was cleared, and the ridge occupied with difficulty. The Germans counter-attacked from dawn on the 24th and the defenders were driven off in the afternoon. It was regained by an assortment of ad hoc units.

When relieved on 26th/27th 19 RWF had suffered 370 casualties.

Lieutenant George Latham appointed Acting Captain with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers whilst serving in Palestine.

 21st November 1917 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Lieutenant George Latham appointed Acting Captain with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Welsh Fusiliers whilst serving in Palestine.

George Latham was a Welsh International football player and coach. During his career he played for Newtown (his home town), Cardiff City, Liverpool, Stoke and Southport Central. As well as being a talented footballer he was a high courageous soldier and of-ficer. He had served in the ranks during the Boer War in 1900 and was commissioned in-to his local Territorial Battalion, the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, on 4th August 1915. He arrived in Palestine in July 1916 and served the rest of the war in Egypt and Palestine with 7RWF winning the Military Cross and bar for his bravery and leadership in combat. He led the 7RWF Football team to many victories in the inter-unit competitions held within the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. He was demobed on 15 Jun 1919 whence he returned to his career in football. He was seriously injured in a bicycle accident in 1936 and this forced him to give up his coaching career. He passed away 9th July 1939, at the age of 58, in his home town, Newtown. Newtown Football ground is named Latham Park in his honour.

His full military service can be seen below:

Latham G. Lt MC

George Latham had served in the ranks in the Boer War. He was commissioned 2/Lt (4/8/15) to the 7th Bn, and served first with the 3/7th. Promoted Temp Lt (2/3/16), he joined the 1/7th in Egypt Jul 1916 and served in Palestine. Was promoted Lt (1/6/16), Was in the first battle for Gaza when he cleared the Cactus Gardens under heavy enemy machine gun fire 27 Mar 1917. Was MiD from Gen. Sir Archibold Murray, and awarded the MC. He was awarded a Bar to his MC 6 Nov 1917 for the action at Tel el Khuwelfeh. Then gazet-ted A/Capt (21/11/17). He served with the battalion throughout the war, then left the bat-talion 15 Jun 1919 for demob.

MC Citation :- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After taking part in the final assault of the enemy's position, he pushed forward with the remainder of his platoon and men of other units, under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and cleared and consolidated a position of great tactical value. With the help of another officer he captured a number of enemy staff and prisoners, showing exceptional capability and great gallantry throughout.

MC Bar Citation :- For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When our line had been penetrated on the right flank, he at once went to the spot and helped rally the men of various units. Shortly afterwards, during a fog, the enemy appeared within a few yards, and he personally led forward a portion of these troops against them, and succeeded in driving them back, accounting for several of the enemy himself.

MC (LG 16/8/17).

MC Bar (LG 18/2/18 and 18/7/18).

MiD (LG 6/7/17).

Lt Col Sir John Cockburn awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

 19th November 1918 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Lt Col Sir John Cockburn awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Cockburn was commissioned into the RWF 23 December 1893. He was attached to the West African Frontier Force before taking part in the Boer War earning the Queen’s South Africa medal with five bars for separate engagements.

He was a temporary Lt Col commanding the 1st Battalion, Nigerian Regiment during the Cameroon Campaign under Brig-Gen Dobell (late RWF). During this time he received a Royal Human Society Silver Medal for rescuing a drowning sailor.

On competition of the West Africa campaign he transferred to the Western Front commanding 2 and 17 RWF. Evident from his portrait he was severely wounded in September 1916 by a shell that exploded on the parapet. He was again wounded in 1918, having destroyed a MG and its crew with his runner, refusing to be evacuated until he had briefed his Brigadier on the situation.

During the Second World War “Cockie” as he was known in the Regiment volunteered to command the Home Guard in Ross-on-Wye.

He died on 2 May 1949 having suffered many years of pain from his wounds. It is the mark of this hugely courageous officer that he bore his pain with great dignity and fortitude.

His full biography can be seen below:

COCKBURN, John Brydges

Born on 23 December 1870 at Pennoxstone Court, King’s Caple, Herefordshire, he was the fourth and youngest son of Sir Edward Cludde Cockburn, 8th Baronet of that Ilk, JP, DL and High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1866, formerly captain 11th Hussars, and his wife Mary Anne Frances, daughter of Robert Kerr Elliot (q.v.) of Harwood and Clifton Park, Roxburghshire. He was educated at Cheltenham College.

He was commissioned 2nd lieutenant 4th (Militia) Battalion KSLI on 11 February 1891 and was granted a regular commission RWF on 23 December 1893. Lieutenant on 8 May 1896, captain on 6 October 1900 and major on 12 May 1912. He was employed with the West African Frontier Force serving in the Munshi expedition in 1900, received the medal and was mentioned in despatches. He took part in the South African War 1901–1902 and received the Queen’s medal with five clasps. In 1906 he was in West Africa again and took part in the action against the Sokoto rebels and received the medal and clasp.

A temporary lieutenant-colonel from 16 March 1913 to 29 June 1916 he commanded the 1st Battalion Nigeria Regiment taking part in the campaign in the Cameroons under the (then) Brigadier-General C. M. Dobell (q.v.), and his services were recognised, twice mentioned in despatches, decorated with the French Legion of Honour and granted the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel. He also received the Silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for his gallantry in jumping into the Cameroon River which was infested with crocodiles and in high flood in an attempt to save a bluejacket of HMS Cumberland who had fallen overboard.

He commanded 17 RWF from July 1916 to August 1917 and from 23 February 1918 to 5 July 1918 and 2 RWF from 21 July 1918 to 27 August 1918 and from 26 November 1918 to 27 December 1918, during which period he was awarded the DSO (LG 11.1.19), twice mentioned in despatches and twice severely wounded. He was a contributor to The War The Infantry Knew – see the index.

A substantive lieutenant-colonel on 31 January 1919, he was in command of 1 RWF when it re-formed at Oswestry and he sailed with the battalion to India. Ill-health, however, compelled him to relinquish his command and he retired on 10 February 1923.

He married, on 9 April 1919, Isabel Hunter, youngest daughter of James McQueen of Crofts, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, with whom he had a son and a daughter. He succeeded his brother, as 11th Baronet of that Ilk, in 1947.

He lived at Merrivale Place, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, and died there on 2 May 1949.

Obituary

The Times 4 May 1949

Y Ddraig Goch Winter 1949, pages 2, 9

Kirby update by RJMS - May 2011 Edn

Who Was Who, Vol. IV

References

Langley, David, Duty Done – 2nd Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Great War,

RWF Museum, Caernarfon, 2001, pages 87–8

Anon [Captain J.C. Dunn RAMC], The War The Infantry Knew, P.S. King & Son, 1938.

Republished, with an introduction by Keith Simpson, Jane's, 1987

Lieutenant TB Hackett and Boy G Monger won VCs, 1857

 18th November 1857 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Lieut TB Hackett and Boy G Monger won VCs, 1857

In capturing the hospital at Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, India its thatched roof caught fire. Lieut Hackett and Boy Monger rescued a corporal of the 23rd who was lying in the open and exposed to very heavy fire. They then climbed on the roof of a bungalow and cut down the thatch to prevent it being set on fire. They were both awarded VCs.

For daring gallantry at Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, on the 18th of November, 1857, in having volunteered to accompany Lieutenant Hackett, whom he assisted in bringing in a Corporal of the 23rd Regiment, who was lying

wounded in an exposed position.

LG 12th April 1859

For daring gallantry at Secundra Bagh, Lucknow, on the 18th November, 1857, in having with others, rescued a Corporal of the 23rd Regiment, who was lying wounded and exposed to very heavy fire. Also, for conspicuous bravery, in having, under a heavy fire, ascended the roof, and cut down the thatch of a Bungalow, to prevent its being set on fire. This was a most important service at the time.

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The death of Private Thomas Foulkes, 23rd Foot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.

 17th November 1847 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

The death of Private Thomas Foulkes, 23rd Foot, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.

Private Thomas Foulkes fought with the Royal Welch throughout the Peninsular Campaign and at Waterloo during the Napoleonic wars.

He survived this prolonged period of campaigning and death in his hometown of Conway, North Wales on 17th November 1847. His grave was visited by three generations of Royal Welshmen who had fought in the Boer, First and Second World Wars on St David’s Day.

A fitting tribute to a true Welsh Warrior. The photo and short article comes from the Regimental Journal Y Ddraig Goch (The Red dragon).

Regimental Great War Memorial unveiled in Wrexham, 1924

 15th November 1924 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Regimental Great War Memorial unveiled in Wrexham, 1924

It was dedicated by the Archbishop of Wales in front of a large number of serving and former members of the Regiment.  It was designed by Sir William Goscombe John, RA.

11th November 1918 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

 11th November 1918 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Armistice at the end of the First World War, 1918

The armistice in France came into effect at 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

At that time the Regiment had eleven battalions serving in France.

During the War 9,971 Royal Welchmen gave their lives for their country, and tens of thousands more were wounded.

The youngest to be killed was Pte W Chadwick, 2 RWF, aged 15. The oldest in the Regiment and the second oldest in the Army, was Pte W Speight, 13 RWF, aged 62.