1st Battalion of The Royal Welsh – Freedom of the City
TWO heroic Swansea soldiers who’ve been deployed to Afghanistan will be representing the city on the weekend when they get the chance to march in front of their family and friends. Jason Maddocks and Jamie Elsworth are taking part in a homecoming parade
on Saturday (Sept 13th 2008) when Swansea’s links with the 1st Battalion of The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) are being reaffirmed.
The event has been arranged to welcome hundreds of soldiers back to Wales and to thank them for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Swansea Council has twice awarded Freedom of the City to The Royal Regiment of Wales and The Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1981 and 1994 respectively but, since that time,
the regiments have merged to form The Royal Welsh.
Proceedings on Saturday morning will start at the Guildhall when Cllr Chris Holley, Swansea Council Leader, will reaffirm the city’s links with The Royal Welsh.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Gareth Sullivan, will then inspect the Battalion at 11am on the rotunda outside the Guildhall’s clock tower entrance before addressing the troops and
inviting them to exercise their freedom march with bayonets fixed.
The battalion will form up outside the Guildhall and will march along St Helen’s Road, the Kingsway, Dilwyn Street, Oxford Street, Castle Street and Whitewalls before making
their way back to the Guildhall along South Road.
They will be accompanied by the Prince of Wales Division Band and the salute will be taken by Cllr Gareth Sullivan, the Lord Mayor of Swansea, Byron Lewis, the Lord Lieutenant
of West Glamorgan, and Brigadier Iain Cholerton at about 12.15pm.
Duration : 0:2:1
[youtube kR4wef6dhg0]
i was here n the …
i was here n the guest bow watching it was good
Only Pioneer …
Only Pioneer Sergeants. They headed up pioneer platoons which would consist of tradesmen, such as carpenters and the like. In the field they’d march at the front and clear the way of any obstacles or construct bridges. Hence why they march at the front in aprons and with axes. They’re also traditionally allowed to grow beards.
Ha ha, the colour …
Ha ha, the colour party’s ceremonial scarlets were in a terrible state after they were moved back from Cyprus, so they had to wear whites! Good spot….
A great video and …
A great video and great to see them all home safe
It is from the …
It is from the Welch Fusiliers who carried axes in combat in the 17/1800′s. They still carry the axes ceremonially (along with the white aporn) to honur their predecessors.
The sergeants still …
The sergeants still carry the axes on parade? That’s cool. Early 19th Century tradition?
I never knew they …
I never knew they would wear white. :O
Colour party looked …
Colour party looked really neat in the white tunics. I’ve never seen that before.
Is the colour party …
Is the colour party wearing No3 dress!?