5 APRIL 1949 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

First National Serviceman joined, 1949

In 1948 the National Service Act was passed which required that from 1 January 1949 every healthy male aged 17-21 was expected to serve in the armed forces for eighteen months. This was extended to two years in 1950 as a result of the Korean War. The
first twenty-five joined the 1st Battalion on 5 April. National Service ended on 31 December 1960 and the last National Serviceman was discharged in May 1963.

2 APRIL 1794 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Flank Companies at capture of Morne Fortuné, St Lucia, 1794.

A force, including the 23rd, landed on the West Indian island of St Lucia on 1 April. Morne Fortuné (Hill of Good Luck) was a French Fort positioned over looking the port of Castries and was stormed successfully on the 2nd. A garrison was left behind and the force departed on 4 April. The Regiment served in the West Indies from November 1793 to early 1796 and paid a heavy price for its service in this most deadly of tropics. The Regiment lost 12 Officers and 600 men primarily to disease and to lead poisoning from drinking large quantities of rum, made in pewter containers.

1 APRIL 1960 - IN THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Regimental Headquarters established at Wrexham, 1960

RHQ has been at Hightown Barracks since 1960, except for the period from 10 September 1968 to 1 December 1982, when it was at The Barracks in Caernarfon.

18th March 1943 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

1 RWF at Donbaik, Arakan, Burma, 1943

The battalion was part of a force sent to the Arakan with orders to overwhelm Donbaik, where the Japanese occupied a strongly held position. In a bloody battle, which failed in its objective, 1 RWF suffered 162 casualties. It also won two DSOs and two MMs. After the war Field Marshal Slim said of the RWF that ‘they showed valour which has rarely been surpassed’ in a battle which he admitted should never have been fought.

8th March 1801 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Landing at Aboukir Bay, Egypt, 1801

1 RWF was part of the army under Sir John Moore sent to recapture Egypt from the French. It led the landing and assault up the sand dunes at Aboukir Bay. ‘They never offered to fire until they gained the summit, where they charged the French ...’, thus ensuring the safe landing of the rest of the army.

Mametz Wood

Click here to watch a wonderful and moving film about the Battle for Mametz Wood

Mametz Wood

3rd March 1900 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Relief of Ladysmith, 1900

When 1 RWF arrived in South Africa in November 1899 the bulk of the British garrison were besieged in Ladysmith. The first attempts to break through failed. At Horse Shoe Hill the battalion was heavily engaged suffering 41 casualties, including the commanding officer who was killed. A breakthrough was achieved and the battalion took its place in the triumphal entry into Ladysmith. RELIEF OF LADYSMITH is a battle honour.