Recruitment is main effort activity for the Battalion, Household Division and the wider Army. Consequently, before the bulk of Op TORAL pre-deployment training started, the Battalion decamped to Wales for a week. The aim was to saturate the homeland with Welsh Guardsmen and significantly increase the number of those in the recruiting and training pipeline.
The 3 main features were the parades by the Prince of Wales’s Company in Home Service Clothing through Bangor, Pontypridd and Swansea. The Bangor event, whilst smaller than the 2 in South Wales, provided us a key focal point in the North. The inspection by the Mayor, Derek Hainge, took place at the memorial in the lee of Bangor Cathedral. The Guard of Honour then marched past the cathedral onto the High Street where we were greeted by a large crowd. After the parade we were hosted by the Mayor and other Councilors at Penrhyn Hall.
We then travelled to Maindy Barracks in Cardiff to prepare for the next parade in Pontypridd. The day started with heavy rain and the theme continued throughout, except during the parade itself. We were welcomed by the Lady Mayor and other Councillors at Ynysangharad Park. The Regimental Adjutant was presented with a Brass Miners lamp by the Council before we were given permission to march through the town. We were lucky enough to march past the memorial to Sgt Bye VC and the Guard of Honour paid the appropriate compliments before continuing on our way. The reception we received in Pontypridd was outstanding with several hundred people lining Taff Street. This was reflected in the wonderful tea provided by the Lady Mayor and her Councillors to the men after the parade.
The first ever freedom granted to the Welsh Guards came from Swansea and it was here that we would finish our KAPE tour of Wales. Marching into Castle Gardens we were met by a large crowd of young and old alike. The Mayor, Philip Downing, inspected the Guard of Honour, specifically seeking out a number of the local Swansea Guardsman to speak to. When complete, the band led us across Swansea to Brangwyn Hall, where, once again, the hospitality shown to us by the people of Wales was simply marvellous. Whilst it may have seemed alien being back in our tunics and bearskin caps, the men who formed the Guard of Honour performed to the highest standards throughout, with no hint of the almost exclusively operational focus we have had for the past 18 months.
Whilst the parades generated massive publicity for the tour, the main recruiting focus was on the sporting activity across the length and breadth of Wales involving local teams and clubs. We competed, we trained together and we spread the word through a shared love of rugby, football, boxing and mountain biking. The pictures attached to this article illustrate the immense efforts made by team captains to spread the Welsh Guards brand amongst our core recruiting demographic.
We also took the opportunity to expand our reach with the Welsh Army Cadet Forces (ACFs). Traditionally we have been concentrated around the Carmarthen area, but the Recruiting Teams pushed engagement across Wales throughout the week, thus maximising awareness. The work of the Recruiting Teams throughout the year to support Welsh ACFs is covered in a separate article in the Journal.
Our week at home gave everyone a chance to engage with their communities, encourage others to enjoy the life we do and ensure the future vitality of the Regiment. Hopefully it has motivated a large swathe of Welshmen to join us for an exciting future.
By Major T C Spencer Smith, Officer Commanding The Prince of Wales’s Company. 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
