Do You Have To Be Welsh To Be A Welsh Guard?

We are incredibly proud of our Welsh heritage, and most of our soldiers are from Wales or have Welsh roots, but we also welcome recruits from across the UK and Commonwealth. Wherever you are from, you will be welcomed into our family Regiment.

In this post

How tall do you have to be to be a Welsh Guard?

‘The height requirement has been brought down to 5′ 10″, but traditionally, if you were in the Queen’s Company within the Grenadier Guards, you had to be 6′ 2″ or over.

How long is training for the Welsh Guards?

You will train with other Welshmen. Those who enlist at junior level will start at either The Army Foundation College Harrogate, which is a 42 week long course, or at the Army Training Regiment Winchester, on a 17 week long course.

More on this:
How Many Buckles Does A Kilt Have?

Where are Welsh Guards based?

Windsor, Berkshire
The Welsh Guards, based out of Windsor, Berkshire will continue its ceremonial and protection duties of the Royal Household alongside its light Infantry role.

Do the Welsh Guards guard the Queen?

This foot guard regiment was formed in 1915. As well as guarding the monarch and carrying out ceremonial duties, it has served on active deployments with the British Army for over a century.

What is the nickname of the Welsh Guards?

The Foreign Legion

Welsh Guards
Nickname(s) The Foreign Legion (WWII)
Motto(s) “Cymru am Byth” (Welsh) (Wales Forever)
March Quick – Rising of the Lark Slow – Men of Harlech
Anniversaries 1 March (St David’s Day)
More on this:
Do You Wear A Kilt Belt With A Prince Charlie Jacket?

What is the motto of the Welsh Guards?

The motto of our Regiment is “CYMRU AM BYTH” which in English translates to “WALES FOR EVER”. Our Regimental cap badge is the leek, the national emblem of Wales. Our Regiment is almost entirely recruited from Wales which gives us a very special identity which is embedded with Welsh spirit and culture.

Who commands the Welsh Guards?

Lieutenant Colonel John Livesey
The Battalion welcomes the new Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Livesey who assumes command on 10th September 2021.

What do Welsh Guards wear on their bearskins?

Five regiments of British Foot Guards have the privilege of protecting the Queen at her various castles and palaces: the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards. These are the soldiers who get to wear those imposing bearskin hats.

More on this:
Does The House Of Windsor Have A Tartan?

Are the Welsh good soldiers?

The Welsh were the best – and best-led – soldiers in the large royal army of the day. Loyal to the crown, from that time on they provided strong support for the king as he strove to maintain his increasingly precarious hold upon the throne.

How many Welsh are in the British army?

There are 3,230 military and civilian personnel based in Wales and over 60 Ministry of Defence establishments and bases, including reserve centres and the training estate. The Army has the largest presence of the three services with 1,450 personnel.

How do you tell guards apart?

From a distance they appear identical, but there are ways to distinguish between the regiments:

  1. The colour of the plume, and which side of the bearskin it is worn on.
  2. The spacing of the tunic buttons.
  3. The badge worn on the collar.
  4. The badge worn on the shoulder.
More on this:
Is Kilting A Scrabble Word?

Did the Welsh fight in ww2?

Of these, perhaps 300,000 were Welsh, although there was never any attempt to come up with an official number. This in itself was a sign of how the war effort was perceived as a British one. Only a minority of men in the armed forces actually saw combat.

What happens if you touch the queen’s guard?

Try to touch a guard and you’ll get an ear full. One tourist tried this and got blasted, The Huffington Post reports. One guard explained what happens if you touch a guard. “You are allowed to get them away by shouting warnings at them.

More on this:
Can You Take A Kilt Pin On A Plane?

How do the Queen’s guards go toilet?

6. No Toilet Break for the Dedicated Soldiers. The Queen’s guards are so dedicated to their position that they can’t even leave their post for a toilet break during their working shift. They must all have pretty strong bladders!

Why do royal guards stomp?

According to a report by DailyMail, the Queen’s Guards are given specific orders to deal with obstacles that may come on their marching route. They are allowed to shout ‘Make way for the Queen’s Guards’ and also stomp their feet.

How many Welsh Guards died in the Falklands?

32
A total of 56 men died aboard the ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristam in Bluff Cove, Falkland Islands, on Tuesday, June 8, 1982, 32 of whom were Welsh Guards. Many more were injured. The destruction of the Sir Galahad by Skyhawk jets came just six days before the end of the Falklands War.

More on this:
Can You Wear A Kilt On St Patrick'S Day?

What are the ranks in the Welsh Guards?

Thor Love and Thunder – The Loop

Welsh Guards
Anniversaries 1 March (St David’s Day)
Commanders
Current commander Colonel A. J. E. Malcolm, O.B.E., Regimental Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel D. Bossi, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Second in Command Maj H.G.C Bettinson
Colonel-in-Chief HM The Queen

Are the Irish Guards Irish?

The Irish Guards – known affectionately throughout the Army as ‘The Micks’ – is an Irish Regiment which has proven its loyalty and grit on many tough operations. It’s soldiers have the privilege of guarding the Royal Family. They recruit from the island of Ireland, United Kingdom and beyond.

More on this:
Do Scots Wear Kilts In Winter?

Did the Welsh Guards fight in the Falklands?

On 2nd April 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands and South George. A task force was quickly gathered together and sent to relieve the Islands. The Scots and Welsh Guards were part of this force.

Who wears a white bearskin hat?

Today, the headdress is worn by the five foot guard regiments of the British Army (Grenadier, Scots, Welsh, Irish, Coldstream), officers of fusilier regiments, the Scots Dragoon Guards and members of the Honourable Artillery Company.

Do You Have To Be Welsh To Be A Welsh Guard?