The Royal Welsh Regiment was an

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

regiment of the Territorial Army in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. It existed from 1999, until it was re-designated as the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh in 2006.

History

The regiment was formed in 1999 as part of the restructuring of the TA by the amalgamation of the two Welsh TA battalions, namely: 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion,

Royal Welch Fusiliers The Royal Welch Fusiliers () was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, and part of the Prince of Wales's Division, that was founded in 1689, shortly after the Glorious Revolution. In 1702, it was designated a fusilier regiment and becam ...

; and 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion, Royal Regiment of Wales Its initial structure was as follows: *HQ Company, at

Maindy Barracks Maindy Barracks is a military installation in the Cathays district of Cardiff in Wales. History Maindy Barracks opened in 1877. Their creation took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military force ...

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

*A (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Company, at

Wrexham Wrexham ( ; ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in the North East Wales, north-east of Wales. It lies between the Cambrian Mountains, Welsh mountains and the lower River Dee, Wales, Dee Valley, near the England–Wales border, borde ...

and Queensferry
''(from HQ and A Companies, 3rd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers)'' *B (Royal Regiment of Wales) Company, at

Swansea Swansea ( ; ) is a coastal City status in the United Kingdom, city and the List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, second-largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of ...

''(from A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Wales)'' * C (Royal Regiment of Wales) Company, at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff and

Pontypridd Pontypridd ( , ), Colloquialism, colloquially referred to as ''Ponty'', is a town and a Community (Wales), community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales, approximately 10 miles north west of Cardiff city centre. Geography Pontypridd comprises the ...

''(from HQ and C Companies, 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Wales)'' *D (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Company, at

Colwyn Bay Colwyn Bay () is a town, Community (Wales), community and seaside resort in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales overlooking the Irish Sea. It lies within the historic counties of Wales, historic county boundaries of Denbighshire (h ...

and

Caernarfon Caernarfon (; ) is a List of place names with royal patronage in the United Kingdom, royal town, Community (Wales), community and port in Gwynedd, Wales. It has a population of 9,852 (with Caeathro). It lies along the A487 road, on the easter ...

''(from B and D Companies, 3rd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers)'' No new

cap badge A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as ...

was created for this regiment, soldiers wore their former regimental cap badge or were badged according to the company they joined.

3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh

As part of the restructuring of the infantry announced in 2004, the Royal Welsh Regiment became the TA battalion of the new amalgamated regiment of Wales, the

Royal Welsh The Royal Welsh (R WELSH) () is an Infantry, armoured infantry regiment of the British Army. It was established in 2006 from the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot) and the Royal Regiment of Wales, Royal Regiment of Wales ...

, on the 1 March 2006. Companies and platoons reported in December 2020 include: *Headquarters Company, at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff **Corps of Drums at Raglan Barracks, Newport *B Company, at Swansea **Platoon, at

Aberystwyth Aberystwyth (; ) is a University town, university and seaside town and a community (Wales), community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is the largest town in Ceredigion and from Aberaeron, the county's other administrative centre. In 2021, the popula ...

* C Company, at Pontypridd **Mortar Platoon, at

Merthyr Tydfil Merthyr Tydfil () is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydfil, daughter of K ...

*D Company, at Colwyn Bay **Anti-Tank Platoon, at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham

References

{{reflist Infantry regiments of the British Army Military units and formations established in 1999 1999 establishments in the United Kingdom Military units and formations disestablished in 2006