Monday 29 August 2016

On this day in RWF history 29th August


Remembering Llandudno chemist, Captain George Williams who died of his wounds at a casualty clearing station today 1917.

Remembering Llandudno chemist, Captain George Williams who died of his wounds at a casualty clearing station today 1917.
At the outbreak of war, George was in London, having graduated from the Westminster College of Pharmacy and enlisted into the 9th Lancers. He was soon commissioned as an officer and transferred into the 17th battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
In January 1916, George married his sweetheart Amy Fleming and they lived at Sylva Gardens in Craig-y-Don. However their time together was short as George was soon back on the front line.
He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery.

Sunday 28 August 2016

27th August 1799 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

RWF involved in expedition to Den Helder, Holland, 1799

An amphibious operation designed to secure much of the Dutch fleet. The 23rd were amongst the first ashore and, in securing a beachhead whilst suffering nearly 100 casualties, made possible the capture seven ships of the line and seventeen smaller vessels. It was decided to evacuate the force and on 29 October the Regiment began to embark.


25th August 1756 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY


2nd Battalion formed for the first time at Leicester, 1756

This was the first time that the Regiment had a 2nd Battalion. It lasted only for two years, but was reactivated many times during the Regiment’s history, the longest period being the ninety years from 1858 to 1948.

23rd August 1709 ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY


RWF at surrender of Tournai, Belgium, 1709

In June the Duke of Marlborough invested Tournai, one of the strongest fortresses in Flanders. On 23 August the French garrison capitulated but was allowed to march out with the honours of war. In under three weeks Marlborough was leading the army at the battle of Malplaquet.

22nd AUGUST 1916 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY Battle of High Wood


Battle of High Wood, France, 1916

The 2nd Battalion drove the whole of one German battalion and part of another out of the wood. The survivors established themselves at the far side of the wood but were ordered to withdraw because their gains ‘were outside the scheme of the day’s attack’. They did not have the fields of fire to drive off a strong German counter-attack and had to fall back. 706 all ranks went into the wood; less than a hundred came out unwounded.


On this day in RWF history 21st August 1918 Battle of Albert


Battle of Albert, France, 1918

This was the opening stage of the 2nd battle of the Somme 1918. It was launched to eliminate the large German salient resulting from their March offensive. The 2nd, 13th, 14th, 16th & 17th Battalions in 38th (Welsh) Division, and the 4th and 26th Battalions, were all successfully engaged.


Thursday 4 August 2016

Our Poppy Cross Memorial Garden


Today we planted our 1000th Poppy Cross in our WW1 Memorial Garden. We only started it on 7th July to mark the centenary of the Battle of Mametz Wood. All donations in aid of the British Legion.