28th MAY 1995 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Members of the 1st Battalion captured by Serbs in Bosnia, 1995

On 28 February 1 RWF deployed to Bosnia as part of the UN force. The enclave of Gorazde was the most dangerous and exposed garrison and was surrounded by elements of three Serb corps. The situation deteriorated in May when the Bosnian Serb Army commander decided to resolve the Eastern Enclave issue once and for all. On the 28th three A Company OPs were surrounded by a large force of heavily armed Serbs. With a restrictive mandate and Rules of Engagement, the officer and 31 men manning the OPs were taken hostage. Once situation reports were received, the remaining Gorazde Force OPs were successfully evacuated in a three our fighting withdrawal. Following high-level negotiations the last hostages were released on 14 June.

26th MAY 1916 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Lieutenant Siegfried Sassoon was awarded an MC, 1916

Sassoon (b. 1886) was commissioned into the RWF in 1915 and joined 2 RWF in France. He quickly earned a reputation for aggressive patrolling. He won an MC for his gallantry during a raid on enemy trenches when he remained under fire for over an hour bringing in casualties. He recorded his wartime experiences in Memoirs of an Infantry Officer, which is never out of print. He died in 1961.

26th MAY 2012 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Death of Captain Stephen Healey, Recce Platoon Commander, the 1st Battalion, the Royal Welsh (The Royal Welch Fusiliers).
Captain Stephen Healey commanded the Combined Force Burma reconnaissance platoon and, while conducting a vehicle patrol in the north of the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province, his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was given immediate first aid before being flown to the military hospital at Camp Bastion where, sadly, his death was confirmed.
Captain Stephen Healey was born on 19 September 1982 in Cardiff. On leaving school he became a semi-professional footballer; playing for a number of clubs in the South Wales area including an apprenticeship with Swansea City. He continued to play whilst completing a degree in Sports Science at Swansea University. He joined the Army in 2007 and was commissioned into the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh in 2008.
In 2009 he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his actions on Op HERRICK 11 as the Officer Commanding 4 Platoon, B Company. In 2011 he was selected to command the reconnaissance platoon and led their Op HERRICK 16 deployment. He deployed to Afghanistan on 9 March 2012, where he took over responsibility at Checkpoint Langar as part of Combined Force Burma.
Captain Adam Libbey, Second-in-Command, B Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said:
Steve epitomises everything good about the Royal Welsh and the Army, fun, up for anything and fiercely loyal to his men and battalion. He was a genius at friendship that reached all levels, loved as much on the football pitch as in work. He was adored by his men for his assured yet unassuming and humble nature. Steve was ultra competitive and unfairly fit making him a brilliant sportsman and competitor.
He had the same steely determination in work and was always the ultimate professional. He was the talisman of the officers of the Royal Welsh both socially and professionally and always a ‘go to man’ for me. Ever reliable and honest, I cannot imagine a better officer and friend. Steve was a true winner of a bloke in every sense of the word. He will be sorely missed by all the battalion and his best mate.
Captain Mark Lewis, Second-in-Command, D Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, said:
Quite simply he was a giant of a man with an even bigger heart. A true leader of men that inspired and made an impression on all that he met. He was the ultimate professional and set the example to all that worked for and with him.
Steve was a charming bloke and the social hub of the Officer’s mess. He was also a humble man who would often shy away from the praise and the limelight, even when he clearly deserved it. He embodied the true spirit of a Royal Welshman and lived up to everything a Fusilier should be. He was the model of what an Officer should be, all can learn from the example he set.
It is nothing but an honour to say that I have served alongside him and that I could.

22nd MAY 1996 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

New Colours presented to 1 RWF by HM The Queen, 1996

The Queen presented new Colours to the 1st Battalion at Beachley Barracks, Chepstow. Following a dress rehearsal on the previous day in bright sunshine the presentation itself took place in appalling conditions. The parade included detachments from 3 RWF, the Cadet battalions and the Comrades. The Queen was received in the Sergeants’ Mess and later had lunch with members of the Regiment and their guests.

Private Harold Wheatcroft

Bravo the Fusiliers!

18th MAY 1728 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

The Regiment reviewed by King George I, 1728

Instructions were received that he wished to review in London the 23rd, which was in Berwick. It left in March and proceeded on foot to London. According to the London Journal ‘ ... at the Review before the King and Queen ... [the] Regiment of Welch Fusiliers made so fine an appearance and performed all their exercise with so much Regularity, Exactness and Dexterity, as was highly applauded ... and approved by his Majesty …’.