Saturday, 22 August 2020
Friday, 21 August 2020
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, 20 August 2020
Another famous Fusilier born on this day
Cecil André Mesritz was born in London on 20th August 1909. Initially trained as a mechanic, he acted in amateur dramatic productions before turning professional in 1934. Considering his name to be a disadvantage to furtherment in the British film industry, he anglicised it to Morell in 1936 and changed his name by deed poll two years later. Joining the Old Vic Company, he appeared on stage alongside Alec Guinness and John Gielgud, in films in the late 1930s and in early BBC drama productions.
Enlisting early in World War Two, he served initially as a junior NCO in 2nd Hampshire Regiment before being selected for Officer Training and commissioning from Sandhurst in May 1941. Serving with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers he was promoted to temporary Major in 1943 and demobbed in 1946. Returning to the stage, he established a reputation as a reliable and conscientious actor dividing his time between theatre, television and screen appearing in almost 30 films between 1948 and 1958 including some of the early Hammer horror films.
After appearing in Bridge Over The River Kwai, he was chosen for the starring role in the television science fiction series Quatermass and The Pit, still regarded as one of the best of its genre. By now an established leading man, Morrell appeared as Dr Watson in Hound of The Baskervilles alongside Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and also in the Oscar-winning Hollywood epic, Ben Hur. Appearing in a further 23 films between 1959 and 1979 he was the top billing in Hammer’s Plague of The Zombies (1966) and The Mummy’s Shroud of the following year. Much in demand on television, his credits include episodes of The Avengers, The Saint, Dr Who and The Professionals.
After four years as Vice President of the British actors and performers trade union, Equity, Morell was President 1973-74. A 60-a-day smoker, André Morell died of lung cancer on 28th November 1978 with his last screen appearance as a judge in The Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland caper, The First Great Train Robbery, released after his death. #famousfriday
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
Lord Kensington
ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
Kensington Lord H.E. Lt Col CMG DSO TD
Hugh Edwardes, Lord Kensington was born 3rd Sept 1873, son of the 4th Baron and his wife Grace, an old Etonian (1891) he entered the army as 2/Lt with the 15th Hussars and later served in the Boer War as ADC to Lt Gen. H.M.L. Rundle, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the DSO, (27/9/01) “In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa”. He had succeeded his brother to the title in 1900 as the 6th Baron Kensington. On the outbreak of war, he was gazetted Adjutant to the Welsh Horse Yeo in Aug 1914 and was promoted Lt Col (18/8/14) to command the regiment. He took them to Gallipoli, landing at Anzac, where he saw action from 10th Oct 1915 to Dec 1915 and commanded the rear guard action with 100 men on "Hill 60" for the withdrawal from the peninsula, was Mentioned in Despatches. He then took the regiment to Egypt and saw action in Palestine, where on the amalgamation with the Montgomery Yeo, to form the new 25th Bn RWF, he commanded the battalion. Was in the fighting in the attacks on both the Wadi Zait and Wadi Shebab during November 1917. Then in May 1918 he took the battalion to France where he saw action until the end of hostilities. Was appointed a CMG and was Mentioned in Despatches again. He was Hon Col. Pembroke Heavy Brigade R.A. in 1924. And awarded the TD (31/10/24).
CMG (LG 3/6/19).
MiD (LG 10/9/01 13/7/16 5/7/19).
Thursday, 6 August 2020
Museum reopening
We’re pleased to announce that the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum is to re-opening to visitors from the 10th August.
To enter the museum, visitors must pre-book online in advance to enter the Caernarfon Castle.
Time-allotted tickets can be purchased or reserved through the Cadw Website.
For more information contact us - 01286 673362
NEW Opening Times
Monday - Wednesday - 10am - 5pm
Thursday - Friday - CLOSED
Saturday & Sunday - 10am - 5pm
Tuesday, 4 August 2020
Britain declares War on Germany, 1914
ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
Britain declared war on Germany, 1914
After the assassination of the heir to the Austrian Empire and his wife at Sarajevo on 28 June, Europe descended into war with gathering pace. Britain had guaranteed the integrity of Belgium and when Germany invaded, Britain had no choice but to declare war. In August 1914 the RWF had seven battalions: two Regular (1st & 2nd), a Special Reserve (3rd), and four Territorial (4th to 7th). By 1918 thirty-three more had borne the Regiment’s name.
Monday, 3 August 2020
3rd August 1879
3rd August 1879 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
The death of Lt Col Sydney Millett in Gibraltar whilst in command of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Sydney Millett served with the Regiment in all their engagements throughout the Crimean war. He was also engaged in General Garnet Wolseley’s the Ashanti Campaign in West Africa. Having survived these actions he died in Gibraltar in 1879, apparently of sunstroke. With modern medicine today, it is easy to forget that many more British soldiers were killed on active service across the Empire by illness, disease and accidents than lost their lives in conflict.
Sydney Millett was commissioned ensign, RWF, on 16 June 1854, lieutenant on 21 September 1854 and captain on 30 November 1855, he was present at the battles of Alma and Inkerman and at the siege and fall of Sebastopol and it was during this period that his next of kin is recorded as E. Millett, Maiden Early, Reading.
During the second assault of the Redan on 8 September 1855 he was severely wounded, his left arm being broken. He was awarded the Crimea medal with the clasps, ‘Alma’ , ‘Inkermann’ and ‘Sebastopol’, the Turkish Crimea medal, the Sardinian medal ‘Al Valore Militare’ and appointed to the fifth class of the Turkish Order of Medjidie. Promoted major on 1 September 1869 he was in command of a wing of 2 RWF engaged in erecting and repairing rifle butts at Gravesend. The work was carried out with such speed and efficiency that the battalion was specially complimented by Major-General Freeman-Murray at the parade to mark the occasion at Chatham on 29 March 1870.
He sailed with 2 RWF for the Gold Coast (now Ghana) on 21 November 1873 and was in command of four companies which were landed on 22 January 1874 and marched up country as far as Ahkam Coomassie in charge of stores for the supply of Sir Garnet Wolseley’s column on its withdrawal to the coast.
For his service he was given the brevet rank lieutenant-colonel on 1 April 1874 and was awarded the Ashanti War medal with the clasp ‘Coomassie’. He died, aged 42, ‘of sunstroke’ at Gibraltar on 3 August 1879 after only a few days illness while in temporary command of 2 RWF.
Obituary
The Times 7 August 1879
References
a. Lysons, General Sir Daniel, The Crimean War from First to Last, John Murray, 1895
b. Ward, Beatrice (Ed.), Letters of Edwin Utterton from the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny, Privately printed Gibraltar, 1964, pages 10, 14
c. Kirby, Major E. L. (Ed.) Letters of Boscawen Trevor Griffith from the Crimea. Privately published,
nd.
The death of Lt Col Sydney Millett in Gibraltar whilst in command of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Sydney Millett served with the Regiment in all their engagements throughout the Crimean war. He was also engaged in General Garnet Wolseley’s the Ashanti Campaign in West Africa. Having survived these actions he died in Gibraltar in 1879, apparently of sunstroke. With modern medicine today, it is easy to forget that many more British soldiers were killed on active service across the Empire by illness, disease and accidents than lost their lives in conflict.
Sydney Millett was commissioned ensign, RWF, on 16 June 1854, lieutenant on 21 September 1854 and captain on 30 November 1855, he was present at the battles of Alma and Inkerman and at the siege and fall of Sebastopol and it was during this period that his next of kin is recorded as E. Millett, Maiden Early, Reading.
During the second assault of the Redan on 8 September 1855 he was severely wounded, his left arm being broken. He was awarded the Crimea medal with the clasps, ‘Alma’ , ‘Inkermann’ and ‘Sebastopol’, the Turkish Crimea medal, the Sardinian medal ‘Al Valore Militare’ and appointed to the fifth class of the Turkish Order of Medjidie. Promoted major on 1 September 1869 he was in command of a wing of 2 RWF engaged in erecting and repairing rifle butts at Gravesend. The work was carried out with such speed and efficiency that the battalion was specially complimented by Major-General Freeman-Murray at the parade to mark the occasion at Chatham on 29 March 1870.
He sailed with 2 RWF for the Gold Coast (now Ghana) on 21 November 1873 and was in command of four companies which were landed on 22 January 1874 and marched up country as far as Ahkam Coomassie in charge of stores for the supply of Sir Garnet Wolseley’s column on its withdrawal to the coast.
For his service he was given the brevet rank lieutenant-colonel on 1 April 1874 and was awarded the Ashanti War medal with the clasp ‘Coomassie’. He died, aged 42, ‘of sunstroke’ at Gibraltar on 3 August 1879 after only a few days illness while in temporary command of 2 RWF.
Obituary
The Times 7 August 1879
References
a. Lysons, General Sir Daniel, The Crimean War from First to Last, John Murray, 1895
b. Ward, Beatrice (Ed.), Letters of Edwin Utterton from the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny, Privately printed Gibraltar, 1964, pages 10, 14
c. Kirby, Major E. L. (Ed.) Letters of Boscawen Trevor Griffith from the Crimea. Privately published,
Sunday, 2 August 2020
Battle of Blenheim, Germany, 1704
ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
Battle of Blenheim, Germany, 1704
When the mist cleared the French were astonished to see Marlborough’s army advancing to the attack, led by Rowe’s Brigade with the 23rd Foot. No one fired until, when only 30 metres from the enemy, the Brigadier gave the sign. Twice they fought their way into the town before Marlborough released the cavalry to attack the French centre. The result was a stunning victory and 12,000 prisoners. BLENHEIM became a regimental battle honour.
Battle of Blenheim, Germany, 1704
When the mist cleared the French were astonished to see Marlborough’s army advancing to the attack, led by Rowe’s Brigade with the 23rd Foot. No one fired until, when only 30 metres from the enemy, the Brigadier gave the sign. Twice they fought their way into the town before Marlborough released the cavalry to attack the French centre. The result was a stunning victory and 12,000 prisoners. BLENHEIM became a regimental battle honour.
Saturday, 1 August 2020
RWF fought as marines on Royal Naval ships off American coast, 1778.
ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY
RWF fought as marines on Royal Naval ships off American coast, 1778.
In June it was decided to evacuate Philadelphia and move the troops to New York. Their retreat was frequently interrupted by the colonists, but they succeeded in reaching Sandy Hook where the fleet lay at anchor. Knowing that the fleet was undermanned one of the first to offer assistance was the 23rd. They acted as marines on seventeen ships and the last were not released from this role until 14 October.
RWF fought as marines on Royal Naval ships off American coast, 1778.
In June it was decided to evacuate Philadelphia and move the troops to New York. Their retreat was frequently interrupted by the colonists, but they succeeded in reaching Sandy Hook where the fleet lay at anchor. Knowing that the fleet was undermanned one of the first to offer assistance was the 23rd. They acted as marines on seventeen ships and the last were not released from this role until 14 October.
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