PROUD Welsh soldiers at their barracks in Tidworth received a message from King Charles III before they commemorated St David's Day on Thursday, February 27.
Soldiers from The 1st Battalion of The Royal Welsh – Wales's oldest and most decorated regiment – held a parade on a bright but cold morning at their Lucknow Barracks.
St David's Day – the national day of Wales – takes place on Saturday.
The Fusiliers were given leeks, a Welsh national emblem, during the traditional ceremony, which began at 8am in the barracks' parade square.
Coronation Medals were awarded to 105 of the ‘Welsh Warriors’ for serving at the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023.
The battalion was led onto the square by two-year-old Fusilier Llewellyn II, the regimental goat, and Fusilier James Wright, the Goat Major.
They were accompanied by the Colour Party and Drums Platoon.
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Lieutenant colonel Oli Beard, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh, said: “St David’s Day is always a great day for us to come together as a battalion.
“It means so much because we’re able to link in with our Welsh heritage and some of our past traditions and honours, such as wearing the leek, an ancient tradition of Welsh fighting units to recognise themselves on the battlefield.
“We love the fact that we are still able to do that.
“It’s fantastic today to be able to join celebrating St David’s Day and awarding the King’s Coronation medals to so many of our soldiers.
“It’s a great way to recognise the service they have given to the army and the nation, but also a great way to link us back in with His Majesty the King, who is our Colonel-in-Chief.
“Traditionally on St David’s Day, we will always send a message of loyal greeting to our Colonel-in-Chief, who is King Charles III.
“We’ve had a response thanking us for it and offering us the very best of days today.”
“Today, he did a good job. He’s not always guaranteed to perform, but today we’re pretty happy with him.
“He will get an extra bucket of feed, and I think the Goat Major will give him an extra brush and shampoo, which he does quite enjoy!
“These traditions are incredibly important to us, because they link us to our history and link us to our values that are still so very important for the fighting power that they generate.”
They then enjoyed a lunch served by the officers and seniors.
“It’s our way of serving them and thanking them for the work they have done throughout the year,” the commanding officer said.
“And then we will share a beer or two and relax and be that family regiment, all together.”
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