WELSH or WELCH?

By Army Order No 56 of February 1920, a long standing dispute between the War Office and the regiment was finally resolved when the regiment was allowed to change the method of spelling its title to the 'Old English' version 'Welch' which had been used by the Adjutant General in his letter in 1831 , which confirmed a Royal decision to link the 41st Foot with Wales. A capbadge with the spelling 'Welsh' is almost certain to date from the First World War.

Facing Colours 41st and 69th Foot

When the red coat was the hallmark of the British Army it was necessary to distinguish between the different regiments and for that purpose coloured facings were worn on the coat. The facing colour (collar and cuffs) of the 41st or Invalids was Royal Blue. The 69th, originally a second battalion of the 24th Foot, wore green. In 1787, on being redesignated as a marching regiment, the facings of the 41st were changed to red, and to white in 1822. White remained as the facing colour of The Welch Regiment between 1881 and 1969.

When did the link to Wales begin?

At the request of the Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel Sir Edmund Keynton Williams KCB KTS, the King approved that the 41st Foot be styled The 41st or The Welch Regiment of Infantry by a letter dated 25th February 1831. This heralded the commencement of now long-standing links with Glamorgan and South West Wales.

Why the goat mascot?

The first goat of 41st (The Welsh) Regiment of Foot was adopted during the Crimean War in 1855. The reason why the original goat was chosen as a mascot is obscure. Queen Victoria presented the first 'official' goat from the Royal Herd at Windsor in 1862; he was known as 'Billy'. When the regiment was stationed overseas for long periods goat mascots would come from local sources. Goats continue to come from the Royal Herd, now housed at Whipsnade Zoo. The 69th Foot had no official mascot but, on becoming the 2nd Battalion The Welch Regiment in 1881, they adopted the custom. The goat mascot of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales is known as 'Taffy' and his official name on the battalion's ration roll is 'Gwilym Jenkins'.

What is the Regiment's connection with Nelson and the sea?

Raised in 1857 as the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, the Battalion was re-numbered on 23 April 1758 as the 69th Foot, at which time it was acting as Marines with the Fleet. Its service at sea, although not continuous, spanned a period of 40 years. Battle Honours were gained under Admiral Rodney at the Battle of the Saints (1782) and for service under Commodore Nelson at St. Vincent (1792). The sea service is recognised today by the Naval Crown borne on the Regimental Colour of the Royal Regiment of Wales.

What was the 41st Foot's involvement in the Anglo-American war of 1812-1814?

The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814 saw the 41st Foot serving in Canada. Two private soldiers, Hancock and Dean, were specially commended in the General Orders for their valour at the opening encounters of the war. The General Commanding later described the 41st as 'an uncommonly fine regiment'. The 41st saw arduous campaigning during this period and over 100 men were seconded to serve as ship's crew in the naval ships and saw action in the Battle of the Lakes. This war saw the Battle Honours, Detroit, Queenstown, Miami and Niagara won by the 41st. Also of note is the fact that the Welch Regiment Museum holds the US National Color of the 4th American Infantry, the only one in British hands.