Arthur Askey

 #eyahumour @explorearchives

Arthur Askey CBE - British Stage, Radio and Film Comic. Born in Liverpool in 1900, only 5'2" he enlisted in the Great War aged 18 into a Bantum Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. While in the army he worked with concert parties and this led him to a career as an entertainer, first in Music Hall then Radio and Film. He was the first T.V comedian when John Logie Baird used him in to appear in his early T.V experiments in the 1930`s. In WW2 he served in ENSA entertaining troops overseas.

#EYABeards @explorearchives Robert Shields VC was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross. He was born in Cardiff, Wales, in 1827 and died in Bombay, India, in 1864. On the morning of 8 September 1856, during the Crimean War, Corporal Robert Shields volunteered to go along with Assistant Surgeon William Henry Thomas Sylvester in order to rescue an injured officer who had been incapacitated by a shot not far from their position outside the city of Sevastopol’s walls during the siege of the city.

 

The wounded officer was one Lieutenant Dyneley, the Adjutant of Shields’ own unit in the Royal Welch Fusiliers regiment. He had been shot and wounded near the Redan, a fort built close to Sevastopol, at this time it had been hastily occupied by more than a dozen Russian soldiers. It was an extremely dangerous and foolhardy thing to venture anywhere close to the Redan, as they would be well within range of all manner of enemy guns. Nevertheless, Sylvester and Shields decided to attempt to save the wounded man.

 

Together, they reached the lieutenant; however, they quickly noticed that his wounds were far more serious than they had anticipated. Sylvester dressed Dyneley's wounds as well as he was able while under heavy fire from the Redan and returned to the cover of their trenches, bringing with them the injured man. Dyneley later died from his wounds.

 

For their bravery, both men were awarded the Victoria Cross, subsequently going on parade for the first presentation of the new medal. Sixty other men were present at Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. The recipients were made up of both the army and the navy, and they were presented with the award by Queen Victoria herself.

 

Regimental harpists

 Earlier this year, at the Wrexham Archive, we researched John & William Roberts, father and son, who both occupied the position of Regimental Harpist in the mid-late 19th century.

We were assisted by Dr Rhian Davies, who has advised us of a book launch "The Art of Music" to take place on Nov 22nd at the National Library of Wales Commencing at 2.30pm.

We are delighted to say that John Roberts and William Roberts both feature in the book - the latter depicted at Gibraltar.

The event is free, and will include live music and refreshments. Tickets are available for the public to book at: https://www.library.wales/visit/things-to-do/events

9th November 1714 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

 9th November 1714 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Styled Prince of Wales’s own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fuzeliers, 1714

The title first appeared in the London Gazette of 9-13 November, which stated that ‘His Majesty [George

I] has been pleased to appoint Major General Joseph Sabine to be Colonel of his Royal Highness the

Prince of Wales’s own Royal Regiment of Welsh Fuzeliers.’ This was the first time the Regiment was

connected intimately with the heir-apparent.

Royal visit Londonderry - 19th July 1944

Londonderry - 19th July 1944.

During a royal visit, the Royal Family visited the men of the 13th Bn RWF. Pictured are His Majesty the King, Colonel in Chief, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth. The King is talking to Lt-Col JE Nickson MC and Major LH Yates. This is the first of many visits that Princess Elizabeth, later HM Queen Elizabeth and Colonel in Chief paid to The Royal Welch Fusiliers.

©Royal Welch Fusiliers Trust

Sad day

 It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. On the 2nd of June 1953, the Queen became Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Welch Fusiliers and subsequently The Royal Welsh. We were honoured and humbled that she visited the Regiment many times throughout her long reign. She leaves behind an incredible legacy and made an everlasting impression on all Royal Welchmen and their families.

Our thoughts and prayers are

with the King and the Royal Family at this sad time.

Free event

Free kids events tomorrow and Friday morning at Chester Ave in Kinmel Bay! Come down and take part with dressing up opportunities #Summeroffun 

Anyone for tennis?

 Anyone for tennis? 

In 1914, Max Woosnam joined the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry before transferring to the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was a man of such talent and versatility that he must be ranked as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the British sport. 

He was an international or first-class player at association football, lawn tennis, golf, cricket, real tennis and racquets.

After the War he won victory in the men's lawn tennis doubles  at the 1920 Olympics and he also won an Olympic silver medal in the mixed doubles.

In May 1921 he made a winning Davis Cup début in the doubles against Spain with Randolph Lycett as his partner. The same pair went on to win the Wimbledon title in 1921.

Armed forces day Wrexham 18-6-22

 Today we were at Armed Forces Day in Wrexham and had a great day.

3rd June 1922

 3rd June 1922 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

The 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers trooped their colours at Phoenix Park, Dublin on King George the V’s Birthday 3 June 1922.  

The 2nd Battalion had been reformed in Ireland following the end of hostilities in France at the end of the First Work War. They had spent difficult few years in Limerick during which time they were involved in countering the IRA. During this time Maj Compton-Smith was kidnapped and then murdered by the IRA.  Irish Independence was authored in January 1922 and the 2nd Battalion moved from Limerick to Dublin on 21 March 1922. 

The battalion finally left Ireland and arrived in Pembroke Dock West Wales on 15 December 1922.

#OTD 2nd June 1953

 #OTD 2nd June 1953 – 

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II as monarch of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Union of South Africa, Pakistan and Ceylon took place on 2 June 1953. 

HM the Queen inherited the position of Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Welch Fusiliers from her father. A detachment from The Royal Welch Fusiliers was on parade for Her Majesty’s Coronation.

Opening of our museum

 2nd JUNE 1960 – ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

Oh Regimental Museum opened at Caernarfon Castle, 1960

With the closure of the Regimental Depot at Wrexham in March 1960 the museum was moved to the Queen’s Tower at Caernarfon Castle.  The museum was opened by the Colonel of the Regiment, General Sir Hugh Stockwell. The first Curator of the Museum was Major Peter Kirby MC TD FMA DL who build the oak staircases and original display cabinets himself. The staircases are still in excellent working order today!

From a hard place to a rock

FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK

 

First-Hand Accounts of Soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force on the Run in World War Two

 

due to be published 28 June 2022     Hardback     £18.99

.

 

 

FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK - First-Hand Accounts of Soldiers on the British Expeditionary Force on the Run in World War Two

 

Col Jimmy Johnson DSO OBE MC, RWF has been described variously as a formidable soldier and a legend. Commissioned in the RWF in 1930, retiring in 1961, his service took him to many parts of the world. He now features in a book written by one of his nieces.

 

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Johnson was with 1st Battalion which embarked for France with the BEF. When the battalion was tasked to delay the Germans at St Venant, B Company, under the command of Johnson, was ordered to outflank the Germans at Robecq. After bitter fighting B Company found themselves surrounded. Johnson was badly wounded by a sniper and the following day he and B Company were captured. Sent to a German controlled hospital for treatment, Johnson managed to escape at the earliest opportunity in the company of a Royal Artillery officer Captain 'Tommy' Trythall.

 

Jimmy's cousin, Captain Chris Waters 1st Field Squadron Royal Engineers had arrived in France on 17 May with 1st Armoured Division. The Squadron was soon attached to the 51st Highland Division which surrendered at St-Valéry on 12 June. After a week of forced marching up and down the coast Waters had had enough. He and a fellow office from his Squadron, 2/Lt Dennis Lennon, jumped through a hedge and lay low until the column was well out of sight.

 

This fascinating tale; part memoir, part social and part military history, tells a compelling story of war-time escapes from Occupied France. In addition to meeting a cast of interesting people from helpful farmers to obstructive petty officials and frustrated diplomatic staff, we learn of an outrageous attempt at extortion back home in England. Waters and Lennon wrote a journal of their time on the run, Johnson's story is largely told through letters sent home from internment camp and a later tape recording. Both stories are supplemented by first-hand accounts recorded by escapees they met en route.

 

As the men travel through France to Spain (where the two cousins were reunited) and on to Gibraltar their journey becomes more and more hazardous. It is miraculous that anyone completed a 'home run'.

 

Timandra has opened a Facebook page #fromahardplacetoarock .  In the run up to publication she will be listing some of the events that happened on the corresponding day in 1940 which may be of interest.

 

FROM A HARD PLACE TO A ROCK is due to be published 28 June 2022   Hardback     £18.99

 

Copies can be purchased from the RWF Museum or the publisher at https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/history-politics-society/from-a-hard-place-to-a-rock-hb/

Dedicated signed copies can also be purchased direct from Timandra Slade. Please message her through her Facebook page for further details. #fromahardplacetoarock

 

Gallipoli and the gilded goat: Royston in the Great War

https://grahampalmer.co.uk/gallipoli-and-the-gilded-goat-royston-in-the-great-war

Did he make it?

 Love going round the Museum taking close ups of individual artefacts. This is a shoulder belt clasp c.1810-1813. This one was dug up in Spain and would have belonged to an ordinary soldier. It has been damaged by a musket ball which may have proved fatal!

Job vacancy

 Job vacancy - @RWFMuseum wish to appoint an experienced and highly motivated Development Director who will manage the day-to-day operation of the museum at Caernarfon. Closing date 13 May: ow.ly/ffkj50IYQnt #MuseumJobs

#Somethingsmall

 #Archive30 #SomethingSmall Something easily missed in our Museum is this tassel from Napoleon's bed on St Helena where he lived in exile from 1815 to 1821!

The 'Alma Colour' - carried by the Royal Welch Fusiliers during the Crimean War, 1854

 This is all that remains of the Regimental Colour which was carried at the Battle of the Alma in the Crimean War, 1854. Together with the Sovereign's Colour it was presented to 1st Royal Welch Fusiliers by Field-Marshall H.R.H. the Prince Consort in 1849. The Union flag and some of the battle honours are missing. After the ensign to the colour, J. H. Butle, was killed, the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Harry Chester, carried it himself. He too was killed. It was then carried by Sergeant Henry Smith. The colours would have been the focus of enemy fire. This was pierced by 16 cannon balls. The severely damaged colour continued to be used until 1880.

Toughest regiment in age of horse and musket

 https://militaryhistorynow.com/2021/08/23/the-royal-welch-fusiliers-meet-one-of-the-toughest-regiments-from-the-age-of-horse-and-musket/

The death of Major William Pitcairn CAMPBELL

 22nd March 1855 - ON THIS DAY IN ROYAL WELCH HISTORY

The death of Major William Pitcairn CAMPBELL

Major William Campbell was severely wounded at the Battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854. He was evacuated to Scutari, turkey where he was further weakened by disease and passed away on 22 March 1855.

Born in 1824 at 131 Dale St, Liverpool the youngest son of the Reverend Augustus Campbell, Rector of Liverpool, Vicar of Childwall Liverpool from 1824 to 1870. He was the nephew of Sir John Campbell, and of Major-General W Campbell.

 

He was commissioned 2nd lieutenant RWF 6 August 1841; lieutenant 4 August 1843; captain 16 April 1847; brevet major 12 December 1854; major 29 December 1854. 

He served with RWF in Barbados and Canada before proceeding to the Crimea. At the battle of Alma he was slightly wounded in the head and later received a ball in the thigh which obliged him to go to the rear. Lord Raglan in his despatch of 11 November 1854 (LG 2 December 1854) relating to officers who had distinguished themselves at Inkerman took the opportunity to correct his omission to mention Captain W. Pitcairn Campbell in his despatch of 28 September. He reported that Captain Campbell ‘became the Senior Officer of the 23rd Regiment, when Lieutenant-Colonel Chester was killed, and, though severely wounded, could hardly be persuaded to quit the field’. 

Appointed to the staff at Scutari, Turkey, Major Campbell developed fever and, weakened by his wounds and ‘over-exertion in the discharge of his duties in the hospital as deputy assistant quartermaster-general’, he died, aged 31, on 22 March 1855. His grave in Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Istanbul, Turkey bears the inscription: 

Dedicated by his Brother Officers to the Memory of William Pitcairn Campbell aged 30, Major 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, wounded on the Alma. He was appointed a Staff Officer at Scutari, and died there of Fever, March 22nd, 1855.

A Christian Soldier, finding comfort in death from these assuring words of the Saviour, in whom he trusted: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, ans I will give you rest.” – Matt. 11th ch., 28th v. 

Obituary

Smith, Henry Stooks, The Military Obituary for 1855, Parker, Furnivall, and Parker, 

London 1856, page 12

Hardwicke’s Annual Biography for 1856, page 140–1

The Annual Register for 1855, London 1856, page 263 The Gentleman’s Magazine, January–June 1855, page 657 

Memorials

All Saints Church, Childwall, Liverpool. An ‘ornate painted illuminated metal memorial within a plain oak frame’. UKNIWM 15854 has complete inscription. Carmarthen, regimental Crimean War memorial (UKNIWM 6923). For a list of names engraved on the memorial, see Spurrell, William, Carmarthen and its Neighborhood, (2nd Edn.) William Spurrell Carmarthen April 1879, pages 57–9 

References

a. The Times 21 April 1855 – death announcement

b. Lysons, General Sir Daniel, The Crimean War from First to Last, John Murray, c. Haidar Pasa Cemetery listings at 

http://www.levantine.plus.com/pdf/haidarpashacem.pdf 

d. W. H. Russell, A Diary in the East during the Tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales, G. Routledge & Sons, London, 1869, page 638 – Scutari Cemetery

#historichalfterm

 Had a great #winterofwellbeing #historihalfterm event at the Museum today. Lots of visitors. Thank you all. If you missed it today we are doing it all again tomorrow!