The History of the Royal Regiment of Wales:
The Welsh Regiment (1881-1920)

In 1886, 1 Welch moved to Egypt from Natal where, on 20th December 1888, a half battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel C C Smyth saw action against a Dervish force at Fort Gemaizah near Suakim. In 1889 the battalion mounted infantry was active against Devishes in the vicinity of Tosci. In 1889 the battalion moved to Malta from Egypt and then to Wales and Pembroke Dock in December 1893. In March 1895 a disastrous fire there resulted in the loss of much Officer's Mess silver and many early manuscript regimental records.

The war in South Africa saw 1 Welch disembark in November 1899 at Port Elizabeth to participate in a war where for the first time the regulars of the Battalion found themselves supported by Volunteer Companies drawn from the four Volunteer Battalions of The Welsh Regiment at home in South Wales. From South Africa, 1 Welch returned to the United Kingdom in 1906 where it saw the implementation of the Haldane reforms in April 1908, which resulted in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion being re-categorised as Special Reserve, and from the Volunteer Battalions of the Regiment, the formation of four new battalions for the Territorial Force.

1908-1914

From South Africa in 1904 the 1st Battalion enjoyed some home service on its return to the United Kingdom prior to embarking for service in Egypt and the Sudan in December 1909. In February 1914, the battalion moved on to India where, at the outbreak of World War 1 it was stationed at Chakrata. Ordered back to the United Kingdom, the 1st Battalion was brought up to war establishment and embarked for France on 16th January 1915.

In 1892, the 2nd Battalion embarked for India from England. After almost fourteen years in the sub-continent, 2 Welch moved on garrison duties in South Africa in 1906 prior to its return to the United Kingdom in 1910. The Battalion was for a period stationed at Pembroke Dock, but at the outbreak of World War 1 was quartered at Bordon in Hampshire. The 2 Welch embarked for France on 12th August 1914 where, with the 6th Battalion (TF), it represented the regiment in 'Britain's Contemptible little Army'.