Tag Archives: The Royal Welsh mascot

On the Beach with the Boys

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Official wartime caption, 85 years ago today: “Men of the 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers practice firing their .55 caliber Boys anti-tank rifles on the beach near Etaples, 6 February 1940.” At the time the unit of regulars was part of the 6th Infantry Brigade, assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, of the British Expeditionary Force in France.

Kessell (Lt), War Office official photographer, IWM F 2441

An infantry unit formed in 1689, raised by Henry Herbert, 4th Baron Herbert of Chirbury, and primarily recruited in North Wales, the regiment was designated a fusilier regiment in 1702 and earned its “Royal” prefix in 1713 after honors at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706) and Malplaquet (1709).

The Royal Welsh kept appearing on campaigns from Culloden to Minden, Bunker Hill to Yorktown (where it was the only British regiment not to surrender its colors, instead smuggled them out, tied around an ensign’s waist).

They fought the French in Haiti, Egypt, Martinique, the Peninsula, and Waterloo. They then fought alongside the French in the Crimea, Manchuria, and on the Western Front as well as in 1940, as seen above above.

The 1st Royal Welsh evacuated at Dunkirk– leaving their heavy Boys behind– then, after defending the British Isles from Mr. Hitler, moved to India and Burma to fight the Japanese, taking part in the defence of Kohima in 1944 with Bill Slim’s “Forgotten Fourteenth” Army.

1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers move forward on a jungle path near Pinbaw, Burma, December 1944. Note the mix of M1928 Thompson SMGs and No. 1 Mk III Enfields. Photo by No 9 Army Film & Photographic Unit, IWM SE2889

Postwar, the unit saw service in England, Germany, and Cyprus, combat in the Malayan Emergency, along with 13 tours in Northern Ireland, and continued service in Bosnia and Iraq.

On St David’s Day (1 March) 2006, the regiment amalgamated with The Royal Regiment of Wales to form The Royal Welsh and are known as the “Nanny Goats” after their mascot, a Persian goat enrolled as a lance corporal.

They are based at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham, serving in an armored infantry role.

Their motto is “Gwell angau na Chywilydd” (Welsh) (“Better Death than Dishonour”)

British Army Regimental Mascots

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Sure, they may not be able to meet recruitment and retention goals, and they may be stuck with the worst Enfield ever adopted, but the one thing the British Army isn’t short of is history. With so many regiments that have been distilled and amalgamated over the years, the force includes a very diverse series of official mascots, all with a key tie to past history. After all, in the past, regiments had official tigers and donkeys so today’s critters pale by comparison.

As noted by the British Army: 

Regimental mascots are awarded a regimental number, given a proper rank, with prospects of promotion and get fair share of Army rations. They are looked after by the Regiments, and receive their medical care from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. In return, the mascot needs to be judged to be able to take part in ceremonial occasions as well as have a connection to the history and traditions of it’s regiment.

Not any animal can become a mascot, and there are quite a few Regimental Pets, who are not recognised by the Army, but are used as unofficial battalion mascots. These include two ferrets belonging to the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

With that, a great opportunity recently occurred when the force was staged for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee:

A unique secret gathering of Army mascots took place at Edinburgh Castle earlier this year, in order to capture a photographic memoir as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The animals, most of which have their own rank and service numbers, came from all corners of the UK to create the memorable photograph, which will be presented to Her Majesty.

In the below film, Pony Major Mark Wilkinson, handler of Shetland pony Corporal Cruachan IV, of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, explains how the gathering came about and the role of the regimental mascot.

Mascots of the British Army:

– Corporal Cruachan IV – Shetland pony mascot Royal Regiment of Scotland

– Turlough Mor (aka Seamus) – Irish Wolfhound mascot of the Irish Guards

– Lance Corporal Emrys Forlan Jones – Welsh mountain pony mascot of 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards

– Private Derby XXXII – Regimental ram of the Mercian Regiment

– Lance Corporal Shenkin IV, Regimental goat of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh

– Brian Boru X – Irish Wolfhound mascot of the Royal Irish Regiment

– Lance Corporal Pegasus V – Shetland pony mascot of the Parachute Regiment