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{{Short description|Infantry regiment of the British Army}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Welsh Guards
| image                         = Welsh Guards Badge.png
| caption                       = Regimental Badge of the Welsh Guards{{efn|Representing a [[leek]], a traditional [[National symbols of Wales|symbol of Wales]].}}
| dates                         = 1915–present
| country                       = United Kingdom
| branch                        = [[British Army]]
| type                          = [[Infantry]]
| size                          = 1 [[Battalion]] (579 personnel)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|access-date=14 December 2020|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226013531/https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| role                          = 1st Battalion&nbsp;– [[Mechanised Infantry|Light Mechanised Infantry]]
| command_structure             = [[Guards and Parachute Division]]
| current_commander             = Lt Col Andrew Breach
| current_commander_label       = Commanding Officer
| garrison                      = RHQ – [[Wellington Barracks|London]]<br>1st Battalion – [[Combermere Barracks|Windsor]]
| nickname                      = While known as "the Taffs" to their fellow Guardsmen, no nicknames are officially recognized.<ref name=Brereton>{{cite book |last1=Brereton |first1=J. M. |title=A Guide to the Regiments and Corps of the British Army on the Regular Establishment|year=1985 |publisher=Bodley Head |isbn=978-0370305783 |page=190}}</ref>                 
| ceremonial_chief              = [[King Charles III]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Colonel-in-Chief
| commander3                    = [[William, Prince of Wales]]
| identification_symbol         = [[File:GuardsTRF.svg|65px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_3       = White/Green/White<br><small>Left side of [[Bearskin]] cap</small>
| identification_symbol_3_label = Plume
| identification_symbol_4       = WLSH GDS
| identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
| motto                         = {{langx|cy|Cymru am Byth}} ("Wales Forever/Long live Wales")
| march                         = Quick&nbsp;– ''[[Rising of the Lark]]''<br> Slow&nbsp;– ''[[Men of Harlech]]''
| battles                       = 
| anniversaries                 = 1 March ([[St David's Day]]), 26 February (Formation Date)
}}
The '''Welsh Guards''' (WLSH GDS; {{langx|cy|Gwarchodlu Cymreig}}), part of the [[Guards and Parachute Division|Guards Division]], is one of the [[Foot guards|Foot Guards]] [[regiment]]s of the [[British Army]]. It was founded in 1915 as a single-battalion regiment, during the [[World War I|First World War]], by [[Warrant (law)|Royal Warrant]] of [[George V]]. Shortly after the regiment's formation, it was deployed to France where it took part in the fighting on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] until the end of the war in November 1918. During the inter-war years, the regiment undertook garrison duties in the United Kingdom, except between 1929 and 1930 when it deployed to Egypt, and late 1939 when it deployed to Gibraltar.

The regiment was expanded to three battalions during the [[World War II|Second World War]], and served in [[Battle of France|France]], [[North African campaign|North Africa]], [[Tunisian Campaign|Tunisia]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy]] and [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Europe]]. In the post war period, the regiment was reduced to a single battalion and saw service in Palestine, Egypt, West Germany, Aden, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus. In 1982, the regiment took part in the [[Falklands War]]. In the 21st century, the regiment has deployed as peacekeepers to Bosnia, and on operations to both [[Iraq War|Iraq]] and [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]].

==History==
===Creation and First World War service===
The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of George V in order to include [[Wales]] in the national component to the [[Foot Guards]], ''"..though the order to raise the regiment had been given by the King to Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, on 26 February 1915."''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-military-press.com/history-of-the-welsh-guards-pr-20426.html |title=Welsh Guards|publisher= Naval & Military Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511044518/http://www.naval-military-press.com/history-of-the-welsh-guards-pr-20426.html|archive-date=11 May 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1915/feb/18/welsh-guards|title=Welsh Guards|date=18 February 1915|work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]]|access-date=26 April 2014|archive-date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301143905/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1915/feb/18/welsh-guards|url-status=live}}</ref> They were the last of the Guards to be created, with the [[Irish Guards]] coming into being in 1900. Just three days later, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards mounted its first [[King's Guard]] at [[Buckingham Palace]] on 1 March 1915&nbsp;– [[St David's Day]].<ref name=mod>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29430.aspx|title=History of the Regiment|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

On 17 August 1915, the 1st Battalion sailed for France to join the [[Guards Division (British)|Guards Division]] to commence its participation in the First World War. Its first battle was some months after its initial arrival, at [[Battle of Loos|Loos]] on 27 September 1915. The regiment's first [[Victoria Cross]] came two years later in July 1917 awarded to Sergeant [[Robert James Bye|Robert Bye]].<ref name=mod/>

===Inter-war years===
Soon after the end of the war in 1918 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards returned home and where they would be based for much of the inter-war period, performing training and ceremonial duties, such as the [[Guard Mounting|Changing of the Guard]] and [[Trooping the Colour]]. In 1929, 1st Welsh Guards deployed to [[Egypt]] where they joined the [[29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|Cairo Brigade]] where they stayed for only a brief period of time, returning home in 1930. Just prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, 1st Welsh Guards were dispatched to [[Gibraltar]] where they remained upon the outbreak of war in September 1939. The 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards was created in 1939.<ref name=mod/>

===Second World War===
The Welsh Guards were increased to three battalions during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The 1st Battalion fought valiantly in all the campaigns of the [[Western Front (World War II)|North-West European Theatre]]. The 2nd Battalion, part of the [[20th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards)]], fought briefly in [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]], [[France]], in late May 1940 whilst the 1st fought in the battles of [[Battle of Belgium|Belgium]] and [[Battle of France|France]] as part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) GHQ Troops. In May 1940 at the [[Battle of Arras (1940)|Battle of Arras]], the Welsh Guards gained their second [[Victoria Cross]] by [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]] [[Christopher Furness (VC)|Christopher Furness]], who was subsequently killed in action. The 1st Battalion was subsequently part of the [[Battle of Dunkirk|retreat to Dunkirk]], where they were involved in the legendary [[Dunkirk evacuation]] that saw nearly 340,000 [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] troops return to the United Kingdom, against all odds.<ref name=mod/>

[[File:The British Army in France 1940 F2548.jpg|thumb|left|Men of 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards in [[Arras]], [[France]], 14 February 1940.]]

The 3rd Battalion, Welsh Guards, which was formed at [[Beavers Lane Camp]] in 1941, fought throughout the arduous [[North African Campaign]], in the [[Tunisia Campaign]] and the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian]] campaigns in 1943.<ref name=mod/>

While they battled on in those theatres the 1st and 2nd joined the [[Guards Armoured Division]], with the 1st Battalion being infantry, assigned to the [[32nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|32nd Guards Brigade]], and the 2nd Battalion being armoured, part of the [[6th Guards Tank Brigade (United Kingdom)|6th Guards Armoured Brigade]]. The two battalions worked closely, being the first troops to re-enter [[Brussels]] on 3 September 1944 after an advance of 100 miles in one day in what was described as 'an armoured lash unequalled for speed in this or any other war' led by [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] Sir [[Allan Adair|Allan Henry Adair]], the divisional commander.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2guards.com/ww2guards/AWARDS_A_-_C/Pages/ADAIR,_ALLAN_HENRY_SHAFTO,_D.S.O.,_3GG.html#7 |title=ADAIR, ALLAN HENRY SHAFTO, D.S.O., 3GG |publisher=Ww2guards.com |access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

===Postwar===
[[File:Prince Charles.JPG|thumbnail|right|[[Charles III#Prince of Wales|Charles, Prince of Wales]], colonel of the regiment from 1975 to 2022, in Welsh Guards uniform at [[Trooping the Colour]], 2012.]]
Shortly after the end of the war the 3rd Battalion was disbanded while the 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation. In 1947 the 1st Welsh Guards were dispatched to [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]], then under British control, while it was in a volatile and violent situation. The Welsh Guards were part of the [[British 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards)|1st Guards Brigade]] and performed internal security (IS) duties while there, before leaving in 1948 during the British withdrawal and when the state of [[Israel]] was declared. The regiment had its [[Trooping the Colour|colour trooped]] for the first time in 1949.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trooping-the-colour.co.uk/trooping/details.htm|title=Details of the Sovereign's Birthday Parade from 1895 to date|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 1950, the regiment arrived in [[West Germany]] as part of the 4th Guards Brigade, part of the [[British Army of the Rhine]] (BAOR). In 1952 the regiment joined the [[Berlin Infantry Brigade|Area Troops Berlin]] in West Berlin, an enclave in Communist [[East Germany]] during tense times between the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] and the [[Warsaw Pact]]. The Welsh Guards returned home the following year and soon after deployed to the British-controlled [[Suez Canal Zone]] (SEZ) in [[Kingdom of Egypt (1922–1953)|Egypt]]. As previously in Palestine, the Welsh Guards' time in Egypt was quite turbulent. They performed internal security duties there, remaining in the SEZ until the British withdrawal in 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suezcanalzone.com/roh_list.html#Welsh_Guards|title=Service in the Suez Canal Zone of Egypt until 1956|access-date=26 April 2014|archive-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221001801/http://www.suezcanalzone.com/roh_list.html#Welsh_Guards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1960, the regiment deployed to West Germany again, and in 1965 to [[Aden]], another part of the declining [[British Empire]]. They returned home the following year. In 1970 the regiment arrived again in West Germany, this time at [[Münster]], as part of [[4th Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom)|4th Armoured Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://britisharmyiniserlohn.blogspot.co.uk/2009/06/4-guards-brigade-1964-to-1968.html|title=British Army in Iserlohn from 1945 to 1994|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 1972, came deployment to [[Northern Ireland]], then embroiled in violence later known as "[[The Troubles]]". During its tour of duty the regiment lost Sergeant Phillip Price in a terrorist attack by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] on the Oxford Street Bus Depot in [[Belfast]], one of a series of terrorist attacks in the city which became known as "[[Bloody Friday (1972)|Bloody Friday]]". The following year the Welsh Guards were dispatched to the province again, and during this period lost Guardsman David Roberts in a [[land mine|landmine]] explosion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.co.uk/archive/Welsh%20Guards.htm|title=Welsh Guards|publisher=Palace Barracks Memorial Garden|access-date=26 April 2014|archive-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427012808/http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.co.uk/archive/Welsh%20Guards.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Between October 1975 and March 1976 the Welsh Guards were part of the British contingent of the United Nations force deployed to [[Cyprus]] in the aftermath of [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus|the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/UNFICYPBRITCON.html|title=UNFICYP BRITCON Units|access-date=26 April 2014|archive-date=6 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706070751/http://britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/UNFICYPBRITCON.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1977 the regiment arrived in West Berlin again, and then in 1979 once more in the midst of the volatile situation in Northern Ireland, they lost Guardsman Paul Fryer to a booby-trap bomb. On 9 July 1981, Daniel Barrett, aged 15 years, was sitting on the garden wall of his home in Havana Court, Ardoyne, North Belfast, when he was shot dead by a soldier from the Welsh Guards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britisharmykillings.org.uk/product/204-2/Daniel-Barrett|title=Daniel Barrett|access-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427014945/http://www.britisharmykillings.org.uk/product/204-2/Daniel-Barrett|archive-date=27 April 2014}}</ref>

===Falklands War===
In 1982, the Welsh Guards (CO Lieutenant-Colonel John Rickett) formed part of the [[British 5th Infantry Brigade|5th Infantry Brigade]] of the British Task Force sent to liberate the [[Falkland Islands]] from Argentinian occupation during the [[Falklands War]]. On 8 June they were on board the ill-fated [[RFA Sir Galahad (1966)|''Sir Galahad'']], which was accompanied by [[RFA Sir Tristram|''Sir Tristram'']], waiting to be landed at [[Bluff Cove]] though they were delayed from doing so. However, attack was imminent after the landing craft were spotted by Argentinian observers. At 2:00&nbsp;am, five [[IAI Nesher|Dagger]] and five [[A-4 Skyhawk]] aircraft were seen over the Falklands. Shortly afterwards, the Daggers were the first to attack. Only a short time later, the Skyhawks reached [[Fitzroy, Falkland Islands|Fitzroy]], with three of the aircraft hitting the ''Sir Galahad'' two or more times with horrific consequences. ''Sir Tristram'' was also hit which killed two crewmen, both ships were ablaze. The attack on ''Sir Galahad'' culminated in high casualties, 48 dead, 32 of them Welsh Guards, 11 other Army personnel and five crewmen from ''Sir Galahad'' herself. There were many wounded, many suffering from horrendous burns caused by fire from the burning ships, the best known being [[Simon Weston]]. The burnt-out ''Sir Galahad'' was later scuttled at sea to allow her to become a war grave.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/fitzroy_welsh_guards.htm|title=Fitzroy and the Welsh Guards|publisher=History Leaning site|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> On 13-14 June, the remainder of the battalion, reinforced by two companies of Royal Marines from [[40 Commando]], were given the objective of capturing [[Sapper Hill]] in the final stages of the [[Battle of Mount Tumbledown]]. Following a firefight at their helicopter landing zone, the force moved on to Sapper Hill but found it abandoned, thus taking the last defensible position before [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Freedman |first=Lawrence |date=2007 |title=The Official History of the Falklands Campaign, Volume 2: War and Diplomacy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C5WRAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA556 |location=London |publisher=Routledge |page=556 |isbn=978-0415419116}}</ref>

===Since 1984===
[[File:WG 001.jpg|thumb|Welsh Guardsman outside the Jewel House at the [[Tower of London]]]]
In 1984, the Welsh Guards arrived in [[Hohne]], West Germany as part of the [[22nd Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|22nd Armoured Brigade]] and two years later arrived in Northern Ireland for another tour-of-duty before returning to Germany. The regiment returned home to Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright in 1988. In 1989 The Welsh Guards conducted a six-month operational roulement Battalion tour of Belize from April to October 1989 and in 1992 arrived in Northern Ireland for a two-year deployment as part of [[8th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|8th Infantry Brigade]].<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/welsh-guards.html|title=Welsh Guards|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=13 July 2018}}</ref> During their tour of [[Northern Ireland]] the BBC filmed the documentary ''In the Company of Men'' by [[Molly Dineen]], which filmed a deployment to the heavily nationalist [[County Fermanagh]] during the regiment's tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2007/jun/04/crispin.black|title=Crispin Black Profile|date=4 June 2007|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

On 6 September 1997, 12 Guardsmen of the Welsh Guards led by the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, "The Prince of Wales" Company, Captain Richard Williams MC, hero in 1993 of the Khmer Rouge incident in which he was captured defending civilians in Cambodia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/khmer-rouge-release-un-observers-1561573.html|title=Khmer Rouge release UN Observers|work=The Guardian|date=5 December 1992|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> were pulled from security patrols in South Armagh, Northern Ireland and together with members of the [[King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery]] escorted the casket of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], from [[Kensington Palace]] to [[Westminster Abbey]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princess-diana.com/diana/burial.htm|title=Princess Diana Burial|access-date=26 April 2014|archive-date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524211944/http://www.princess-diana.com/diana/burial.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2002, the regiment arrived in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] as part of [[SFOR]], a NATO-led force intended to ensure peace and stability in the [[Balkans|Balkan]] nation. During their deployment [[Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|the Queen Mother]] died. A number of officers of the Welsh Guards stood in vigil around the Queen Mother's coffin which was [[lying in state]] in [[Westminster Hall]], one of a number of regiments to do so. The regiment returned home from its deployment to Bosnia later in the year. It was involved in [[Operation Fresco]], the British armed forces response to the [[UK Firefighter dispute 2002/2003|firefighters strike]]; the Welsh Guards covered the [[English Midlands|Midlands]] area, primarily in [[Birmingham]] using the antiquated Army "[[Green Goddess]]" fire engines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Woman+dies+in+Welsh+house+fire+just+an+hour+after+strike+begins.-a094217742|title=Woman dies in Welsh house fire just an hour after strike begins|date=14 November 2002|work=Western Mail|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2003, the Welsh Guards moved from [[Aldershot]] to [[RAF St Athan]], Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/hrh-visits-raf-st-athan-welcome-back-soldiers-the-1st-battalion-welsh-guards|title=HRH visits RAF St Athan to welcome back soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards|date=1 March 2004|publisher=The Prince of Wales|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2005, the Welsh Guards were part of [[Operation Telic]] and were based in [[Basra]], Southern [[Iraq]]. Here they used relationship-building skills learnt from their time in Bosnia to build a bond between the regiment and local people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WELCOME+HOME!-a0132342785|title=Welcome Home|date=11 May 2005|publisher=South Wales Echo|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2006, the regiment returned to London as a [[public duties]] battalion. It will alternate this role with the [[Grenadier Guards]]. The regiment deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] in October 2006, replacing the [[Green Howards|2nd Battalion]], [[Yorkshire Regiment|The Yorkshire Regiment]]. In November 2007, the regiment deployed to [[Belize]] at short notice to take part in [[jungle warfare]] training; they returned just before Christmas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/From+bearskins+to+Belize...+it's+all+in+a+.......day's+work+for...-a0172628860|title=From bearskins to Belize... it's all in a .......day's work for Guards|date=19 December 2007|publisher=South Wales Echo|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

In 2008, the Welsh Guards moved from London to Lille Barracks in [[Aldershot]], in preparation for deployment on [[Operation Herrick]] 10 in [[Afghanistan]]. The regiment departed in April 2009. Six members of the battalion were killed, among them a platoon commander, a company commander and the battalion commander. It was the first time since the Korean War that a single battalion had lost officers at these three key levels of leadership. The six-month tour was chronicled in the book ''Dead Men Risen; the Welsh Guards and the Defining Story of Britain's War in Afghanistan'' by [[Toby Harnden]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Dead Men Risen: The Welsh Guards and the Defining Story of Britain's War in Afghanistan: Amazon.co.uk: Toby Harnden: Books |id={{ASIN|1849164231|country=uk}} }}</ref> which won the Orwell Prize for Books 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theorwellprize.co.uk/shortlists/toby-harnden/ |title=Toby Harnden |publisher=The Orwell Prize |date=13 August 2013 |access-date=26 April 2014 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019102437/http://theorwellprize.co.uk/shortlists/toby-harnden/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade-30.jpeg|thumb|The Welsh Guards marching in the [[2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade]] in Moscow, Russia.]]
On 1 July 2009, [[Lieutenant-Colonel (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-Colonel]] [[Rupert Thorneloe|Rupert Thorneloe MBE]] was killed along with Trooper Joshua Hammond of the [[2nd Royal Tank Regiment]], following the detonation of an [[Improvised explosive device|IED]] in Afghanistan under their [[BvS 10|BvS 10 Viking]] during Operation Panther's Claw. Lieutenant-Colonel Thorneloe was the highest ranking British Army officer killed since Lieutenant-Colonel [[H. Jones|Herbert "H" Jones, VC OBE]], in the [[Falkland Islands]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8131698.stm |title=UK Lt Colonel dies in Afghanistan|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

As a result of the [[Army 2020 Refine]] reforms, the battalion moved to [[Combermere Barracks]] which was the former home to the armoured regiment of the [[Household Cavalry Regiment|Household Cavalry]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/welsh-guards.html|title=British Army units from 1945 on - Welsh Guards|website=british-army-units1945on.co.uk|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf|title=Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise|publisher=Ministry of Defence (UK)|year=2017|location=Marlborough Lines Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/welsh-guards/|title=Welsh Guards|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>

==Museums==
There are two museums with artefacts and memorabilia about the regiment. The Welsh Guards Museum is in [[Oswestry]], [[Shropshire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Official site|url=http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/welshguards/|publisher=The Welsh Guards Collection|access-date=19 March 2015|archive-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604200539/http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/welshguards/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[The Guards Museum]], in [[Wellington Barracks]], [[London]], is home of the five regiments of [[Foot Guards]] (the [[Grenadier Guards]], [[Coldstream Guards]], [[Scots Guards]], [[Irish Guards]], and Welsh Guards).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardsmuseum.com/|title=Official site|publisher=The Guards Museum|access-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221172356/http://www.theguardsmuseum.com/|archive-date=21 February 2016}}</ref>

==Training==
[[File:Helles Barracks Parade Ground - geograph.org.uk - 1192460.jpg|thumb|Recruits practising drill on Catterick parade square]]
Recruits to the [[Guards Division]] go through a grueling training programme at the [[Infantry Training Centre (British Army)|Infantry Training Centre]] (ITC). The training is two weeks more than the training for the Regular [[line infantry]] regiments of the British Army; the extra training, carried out throughout the course, is devoted to drill and ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24572.aspx |title=Combat Infantryman's Course – Foot Guards|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref>

==Colonels-in-Chief==
[[George V|King George V]] assumed the colonelcy-in-chief of the regiment on its formation,<ref>{{cite web |title=HM King George V |url=https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/fusilierskinggeorgev.htm |access-date=10 December 2022 |publisher=British Empire}}</ref> and subsequent monarchs have also been colonel-in-chief.<ref>{{cite web |year=1957 |title=Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - Colonel in chief of the seven regiments of the Household Brigade taking the salute outside Buckingham Palace after last year's Trooping the Colour Ceremony |url=https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Majesty-Queen-Elizabeth-Colonel-chief-seven/22858546575/bd |publisher=Gale & Polden |location=London}}</ref>

* 1915–1936: [[George V|King George V]]
* Jan 1936–Dec 1936: [[Edward VIII|King Edward VIII]]
* 1936–1952: [[George VI|King George VI]]
* 1952–2022: [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]
* 2022–present: [[Charles III|King Charles III]]

==Regimental Colonels==
Regimental colonels have been:
*1919–1936: General [[Edward VIII|Edward, Prince of Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sothebys.com/ru/auctions/ecatalogue/lot.pdf.L10055.html/f/6/L10055-6.pdf|title=Exceptional Jewels and Precious Objects Formerly in the Collection of The Duchess of Windsor|publisher=Sotherby's|access-date=29 April 2014|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924153652/http://www.sothebys.com/ru/auctions/ecatalogue/lot.pdf.L10055.html/f/6/L10055-6.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*1937–1942: Colonel [[William Murray Threipland]]<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34379 |date=12 March 1937 |page=1643 }}</ref>
*1942–1953: Brigadier-General [[Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11990290|title=Lord Gowrie Colonel of the Welsh Guards|publisher=The Argus|date=13 August 1942|access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref>
*1953–1975: Field Marshal [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article69480014|title=Colonel of the Welsh Guards|publisher=Advocate|date=10 July 1953|access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref>
*1975–2022: Field Marshal [[Charles III|Charles, Prince of Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Steps-biogs.pdf|title=Biographies|publisher=Prince of Wales|access-date=29 April 2014}}</ref>
*2022–present: Lieutenant Colonel [[William, Prince of Wales]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/buckingham-palace-prince-of-wales-princess-of-wales-horse-guards-parade-welsh-guards-b2249678.html|title=Kate takes on Colonel of Irish Guards position from William|work=The Independent|first=Laura|last=Parnaby|date=21 December 2022|accessdate=22 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 April 2024 |title=Wales forever! The Welsh Guards celebrate St David's Day |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/03/the-welsh-guards-celebrate-st-david-s-day-with-the-prince-of-wales/ }}</ref>

==Regimental Lieutenant Colonels==
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}
The Regimental Lieutenant Colonels have included:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/REGIMENTAL%20COs.pdf|title=Regiments and Commanding Officers, 1960 - Colin Mackie|page=39|accessdate=22 June 2021}}</ref>
*1915–1917: [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Col.]] [[George Ormsby-Gore, 3rd Baron Harlech|The Lord Harlech]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=29198|supp=y|page=5948|date=19 June 1915}}</ref>
*1917–1920: Col. [[William Murray Threipland]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=30456|supp=3|page=261|date=4 January 1918}}</ref>
*1920–1924: Col. The Hon. [[Alexander Hore-Ruthven, 1st Earl of Gowrie|Alexander G. A. Hore-Ruthven]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32211|supp=2|page=847|date=31 January 1921}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32982|page=7433|date=14 October 1924}}</ref>
*1924–1928: Col. T. R. C. Price<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32982|page=7433|date=14 October 1924}}</ref>
*1928–1934: Col. R. E. K. Leatham<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33427|page=6415|date=5 October 1928}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34092|page=6178|date=2 October 1934}}</ref>
*1934–1938: Col. [[Merton Beckwith-Smith]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34093|page=6249|date=5 October 1934}}</ref>
*1938–1939: Col. [[William Fox-Pitt (British Army officer)|William A. F. L. Fox-Pitt]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34478|page=665|date=1 February 1938}}</ref>
*1939–?: Col. R. E. K. Leatham
*1957–1960: Col. Henry C. L. Dimsdale
*1960–1964: Col. Charles A. T. Leatham
*1964–1967: Col. Mervyn C. Thursby-Pelham
*1967–1972: Col. Vivian G. Wallace
*1972–1976: Col. James W. T. Malcolm
*1976–1978: Col. Michael R. Lee
*1978–1982: Col. Samuel C. C. Gaussen
*1982–1987: Col. David R. P. Lewis
*1987–1989: [[Lieutenant colonel (United Kingdom)|Lt.-Col.]] Charles J. Dawnay
*1989–1994: [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brig.]] John F. Rickett
*1994–2000: [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Maj.-Gen.]] [[Christopher Drewry|Christopher F. Drewry]]
*2000–2005: Maj.-Gen. [[Redmond Watt|C. Redmond Watt]]
*2005–2010: Col. Alexander J. E. Malcolm
*2010–2015: Maj.-Gen. Robert H. Talbot Rice
*2015–2021: Maj.-Gen. [[Richard Stanford (British Army officer)|Richard J. A. Stanford]]
*2021–present: Col. G. R. Harris

==Traditions and affiliations==
[[File:The Welsh Guards (8658942540).jpg|thumb|upright|Welsh Guardsmen in full dress are distinguished by the white/green/white plume on their bearskins]]
The Welsh Guards and other Guards regiments have a long-standing connection to [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|The Parachute Regiment]]. Guardsman who have completed [[P Company|P company]] are transferred into the [[3 PARA|Guards Parachute Platoon]] which is currently attached to [[3 PARA]], maintaining a tradition of the No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company—the original [[Pathfinder Group]] of the [[16th Parachute Brigade]], now renamed the [[16th Air Assault Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |title=No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company |publisher=ParaData |access-date=26 April 2014 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721141401/http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 3rd Battalion the [[Royal Welsh]] from the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]] is paired with 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and will deploy on future Operations with them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/25384.aspx|title=3 Royal Welsh|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>

One way to distinguish between the regiments of [[Foot Guards]] is the spacing of buttons on the tunic. The Welsh Guards, the fifth regiment in seniority, have buttons arranged in groups of five.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/25608.aspx|title=Ceremonial Duties|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref> The other distinctive feature of their uniform is the presence of a white, green and white plume ([[hackle]]), worn on the left side of the bearskin.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Weinreb, Ben |author2=[[Christopher Hibbert|Hibbert, Christopher]] |title=[[The London Encyclopaedia]] |edition=reprint |year=1992 |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] |page=409}}</ref>

In 1810, the British Army introduced metal rank insignia for field officers (majors and colonels) and generals. This was an arrangement of Stars and Crowns. The "Star" (nicknamed a "pip" in line regiments) was actually a raised diamond shape similar to the Knight Grand Cross star of the [[Order of the Garter]]. In 1855 metal insignia was introduced for subaltern officers (lieutenants and captains) and the star was changed to that of the [[Order of the Bath]]. In 1855 the Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards were granted [[Order of the Garter]] stars and the Scots-Fusilier Guards received [[Order of the Thistle]] stars for their service in the Crimean War. In 1919 the Irish Guards and Welsh Guards, the two newest regiments of the [[Brigade of Guards]], received distinctive stars of their own for their service in World War One. The Irish Guards were granted the [[Order of St Patrick]] and the Welsh Guards were granted the [[Order of the Garter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626107/2017-03109.pdf|page=22|title=Army Dress Regulations (All Ranks)|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=1 January 2011|access-date=29 April 2020}}</ref>

==Battle honours==
The Welsh Guards have been awarded the following [[battle honour]]s:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-5WG.htm |title=Welsh Guards at regiments.org by T.F.Mills |access-date=2007-07-15 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715140005/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-5WG.htm |archive-date=15 July 2007}}</ref>

;First World War
[[Battle of Loos|Loos]], [[Somme 1916]] [[Somme 1918 (Battle honour)|'18]], [[Battle of Ginchy|Ginchy]], [[Battle of Flers-Courcelette|Flers Courcelette]], [[Battle of Morval|Morval]], [[Ypres 1917]], [[Battle of Pilckem|Pilckem]], [[Battle of Poelcappelle|Poelcappelle]], [[Battle of Passchendaele|Passchendaele]], [[Cambrai 1917|Cambrai 1917 '18]], [[Bapaume 1918]], [[Arras 1918 (Battle honour)|Arras 1918]], [[Battle of Albert (1918)|Albert 1918]], [[Drocourt-Quéant]], [[Hindenburg Line]], [[Battle of Havrincourt|Havrincourt]], [[Battle of the Canal du Nord|Canal Du Nord]], [[Battle of the Selle|Selle]], [[Battle of the Sambre (1918)|Sambre]], [[France and Flanders 1915–18]]

;Second World War
[[Battle of Arras (1940)|Defence of Arras]], [[Battle of Boulogne (1940)|Boulogne 1940]], [[Battle of St Omer-La Bassée|St Omer-La Bassée]], [[Operation Goodwood|Bourguébus Ridge]], [[Operation Goodwood|Cagny]], [[Operation Bluecoat|Mont Pincon]], [[History of Belgium#Allied liberation 1944-45|Brussels]], [[Joe's Bridge#Capture|Hechtel]], [[Operation Market Garden|Nederrijn]], [[Operation Veritable|Rhineland]], [[Western Allied invasion of Germany|Lingen]], [[North-West Europe 1940]] [[North-West Europe 1944–45|'44–45]], [[Tunisia Campaign|Fondouk]], [[Tunisia Campaign|Djebel el Rhorab]], [[Tunisia Campaign|Tunis]], [[Tunisia Campaign|Hammam Lif]], [[North Africa 1943]], [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Monte Ornito]], [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Liri Valley]], [[Allied march on Rome|Monte Piccolo]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)#Allied advance into Northern Italy|Capture of Perugia]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)#Allied advance into Northern Italy|Arezzo]], [[Italian Campaign (World War II)#Allied advance into Northern Italy|Advance to Florence]], [[Gothic Line]], [[Battaglia Terme|Battaglia]], [[Italy 1944–45]]

;Post Second World War
[[Falkland Islands 1982]]

==Victoria Cross recipients==
* [[Sergeant]] [[Robert Bye]], 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards
*[[Lieutenant]] [[Christopher Furness (VC)|Christopher Furness]], 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards

==Order of precedence==
{{S-start}}
{{order of precedence |
  before= [[Irish Guards]] |
  title= [[British Army Order of Precedence|Infantry Order of Precedence]]|
  after= [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]
}}
{{S-end}}

==Alliances==
*{{AUS}}&nbsp;– [[5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]]
*{{navy|UK}}&nbsp;– {{HMS|Prince of Wales|R09|6}}

==See also==
*[[Band of the Welsh Guards]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*[[Lionel Ellis|L. F. Ellis]], ''Welsh Guards at War'' (1946)
* Hein, David. (2001) "Hugh Lister (1901–1944): Priest, Labor Leader, Combatant Officer", ''Anglican and Episcopal History'' 70: p.&nbsp;353–74.
* Ward, Charles Humble Dudley (1920), ''[https://archive.org/details/historyofwelshgu00dudl History of the Welsh Guards]''

==External links==
{{Commons category|Welsh Guards}}
*[https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/welsh-guards/ Welsh Guards page on British Army website]
*[https://theguardsmuseum.com/ The Guards Museum (history of the Foot Guards)]
*[http://www.welshguardscharity.co.uk/museum-welsh-guards-collection/ The Welsh Guards Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028144438/http://www.welshguardscharity.co.uk/museum-welsh-guards-collection |date=28 October 2022 }}
*[http://www.welshguardscharity.co.uk/ Welsh Guards Association]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.welshguardsreunited.co.uk/ Welsh Guards Reunited]
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/5735309/Lieutenant-Colonel-Rupert-Thorneloe.html Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe]&nbsp;– ''Daily Telegraph'' obituary

{{British Army Infantry Regiments}}
{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}
{{British Infantry}}

[[Category:Welsh Guards| ]]
[[Category:Welsh regiments of the British Army]]
[[Category:Guards regiments]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1915]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the Falklands War]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I]]
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[[Category:1915 establishments in the United Kingdom]]