The Welch Regiment, 41st. Regiment of Foot Options

[taffy]

I recently posted an article on the 24th Regiment of Foot ( South Wales Borderers) in an attempt to cover in a small way the history of the regiments in the British army with strong Welsh connections. For any one thats interested the article can be found in Virtual Classroom Gateway / unit histories.

In this posting I'm going to take a look at the raising of the companies that would go on to become another unit that would bring honour to Wales. Namely, The 41st. Regiment of Foot ( Welsh Regiment.)
It's only when one decides to have a go at writing these articles that you realise just how complicated British military history can be! Never mind, NIL CARBERUNDUM !

Following the signing of the Treaties of Utrecht in 1713 between Louis XIV. of France and most of his enemies, which included Queen Anne of Great Britain, Parliament made large reductions in the British Army.
22 regiments were disbanded and the remainder were reduced to 37 NCO's and men per company. That must have saved a couple of bob for the treasury!

Then in 1715 Sods Law took a hand, Queen Anne died and who should pop up but James Stewart "The Pretender." He had been a thorn in the British side since 1708 when he attempted to lead a Jacobite uprising in Scotland, against Queen Anne. Although that rebellion was put down very quickly, here he is again having another go in 1715. If nothing else he was a game boy!

Several new regiments needed to be raised to meet this problem. The authorities also resorted to the unusual action of raising independent companies by re-employing some of the out patients of the Chelsea Royal Hospital.

(IMG:http://www.worldisround.com/photos/0/242/96.jpg)


The Royal Chelsea Hospital was founded by Charles 11 in 1862 as a retreat for veterans of the regular army who had become unfit for duty, either after 20 years service or as a result of wounds.

(IMG:http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/425000/images/_428274_generic300.jpg) A group of Chelsea pensioners
on parade.
While not fit for active service, it was reckoned these men would be able to carry out the undemanding duties of garrison troops. With the suppression of the Jacobite rebellion in 1716 this scheme had obviously worked.

On the strength of this in 1719 it was decided to extend the idea and the raising of a regiment of "Invalids" was approved. Colonel Edmund Fielding was given the job of raising 10 companies. An "invalid" was simply a pensioner, whether injured or not. Fielding men were all veterans of Marlboroughs campaigns so they were not short of experience. In only five days three complete companies were formed and they immediately took up garrison duties at Portsmouth from the Foot Guards. Thus freeing these men for duty " up the sharp end."

Many years of garrison duties followed for these veterans and until 1743 the Regiment was known as "Fieldings Regiment of Invalids." Then until 1751 as "Wardours." In that year the Regiment was numbered the 41st. and redesignated the 41st Regiment of Foot ( or " The Invalids." ) I bet that name started a few fights.
"Have at ye, walking sticks at 10 paces"! The Regt. continued to carry out garrison duties in Portsmouth and Jersey.

In 1787 it was decided that the invalid character of the regiment be abandoned, the out patients discharged and the regiment recatagorised as a marching regiment of the line. Consequently 1788 was given over to recruiting younger men, so that the regt. was ready for active service at home and abroad.

A young lieutenant by the name of the Honourable Arthur Wesley (Wellesly) transferred into the regt. at this time. However he did not carry out any day today duties with the Regt. His was a classic example of patronage in action. Apparently he spent his entire time as an officer of th Regt. stationed far away in Ireland acting as an aide-de-camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Apparently living it up in high society circles with little work of any consequence to carry out. He was merely passing through the Regt. putting in the neccessary time required as a lieutenant before being able to continue further purchases on the way up the ladder of ranks of the officer corps. Eventually as the famous Duke of Wellington, and at the ripe old age of 72, he would defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The 41st's connection with the "Iron Duke" was proudly valued by the Regiment.
(IMG:http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/wellingtonPR.jpg)
The Iron Duke.

In 1793 the 41st embarked from Ireland for the West Indies where they were present at the capture of Martinique, St. Lucia and Guadaloupe, and at operations in San Domingo (Haiti/Dominica).
Casualties were suffered more from sickness than enemy action. During two years on San Domingo, the 41st were virtually destroyed by yellow fever, typhus, malaria, and other tropical diseases. A total of 754 rank and file were lost.

Recent research has analyzed medical reports from the West Indies and made a strong case that many soldiers died, not from tropical disease, but the cheap rot-gut rum obtained by parsimonious commissary officers for use by the scum - err, "rank and file". Lead poisoning from improper "Ozark-style" stills was also apparently a factor

When the regiment was pulled back to Portsmouth in October of 1796, only the surviving officers and NCO's were taken. The remnants of the rank and file were transferred in to the 17th Foot. One speculates that few of them ever saw Britain again.

In August l799, the 41st embarked from Ireland for Canada where, in 1812, a declaration of war by the United States destroyed any hopes of an early homeward passage. The corps gained the distinction of being amongst the small number of British line regiments, who with Canadian support saved Canada for later independence. During the difficult campaign the 41st was reinforced by a 2nd Battalion (raised 1812).

United as a new 1st Battalion, they were actively engaged until the war ended in December 1814. In June 1815, the regiment from Spithead was diverted to Belgium and then Paris to join Wellington's Army of Occupation. In November they returned to England, and in due course received the battle honours Detroit, Queenstown, Miami and Niagara for Canadian wartime service.

In 1822 the 41st embarked from England for India and by 1824 it was serving with Sir Colin Campbell's expeditionary force to the Kingdom of Ava (now Burma), where they were involved in the lst Burma War until March 1826. That campaign was followed by years of garrison duty in India, a period highlighted in 1831 when, by Royal consent, it was approved that the Regiment be styled the 41st or The Welsh Regiment of Infantry.


In 1842 the regiment formed part of an Army of Retribution that launched a two-pronged attack on Afghanistan. Included in General Nott's Column, its services in the arduous campaign were later marked by the award of the battle honours 'Candahar', 'Ghuznee' and 'Cabul'. Returning to the United Kingdom in 1843, the regiment served in South Wales. In 1845 it moved on to Ireland and garrison duties until 1851. You have to admit, that in those days, one didn't have to be in the navy to see a large part of the world!
In 1851, the 41st embarked from Ireland for the Mediterranean where they formed the Ionian Islands garrison until 1853. As a part of the British Second Division, in September 1854 the Regiment landed in the Crimea and subsequently fought and gained battle honours in the battles of the 'Alma', 'Inkerman' and the Siege of 'Sebastapol'. Two Victoria Crosses and seventeen Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded to members of the 41st for gallantry during the campaign.

(IMG:http://www.rrw.org.uk/images/crimea.jpg) CHAAAARGE !!

It was during the Crimea war, in 1855 that the first goat maascot of 41st (The Welsh) Regiment of Foot was adopted. The reason why the original goat was chosen as a mascot is obscure. The Regiment disembarked at Portsmouth on 28th July 1856, and on the following day was together with other Crimea veterans reviewed by Queen Victoria at Aldershot. ( I wonder if the goat was on parade.)
In 1857, the 41st embarked at Portsmouth for the West Indies to serve in garrison at Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica until April 1860.
At Sheffield in 1862, the Regiment was presented, by Queen Victoria, with a white billygoat from the Royal herd as replacement for its Russian goat which had died in the West Indies. 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 41st has an NCO rank of "Goat Major", whose duty is to ensure the mascot is presentable. Goat accompanies 41st virtually everywhere.
(IMG:http://www.rrw.org.uk/images/goat.jpg) Billy the goat

In 1865 the Regiment embarked from Ireland for India. Service in the sub-continent was followed in 1874 by a year in the Aden garrison, prior to returning to the United Kingdom in March 1875. Service at home, which included some time in Pembrokeshire (South west tip of Wales), was followed in 1880 by seven months in the Gibraltar garrison and then service in Natal policing the colony in the aftermath of the Zulu War.
In July 1881, a new territorial system saw the 41st (The Welsh) united with the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment to form respectively the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Welsh Regiment. The reorganisation saw the Royal Glamorgan Light Infantry Militia become the Regiment's 3rd Battalion and four South Wales Rifle Volunteer Corps affiliated as Volunteer Battalions of the Regiment. A new regimental depot was established at the then-recently completed Maindy Barracks, in Cardiff, South Wales.

(IMG:http://www.egframes.co.uk/welch.jpg)
cap badge of the Welsh Regiment

The 41st had thus well and truly migrated to Wales & became a Welsh unit by this time. The Regimental Museum is, of course, now in Cardiff Castle, which is where all must aspire to journey at some point in order to see such glories as the 4th U.S. Infantry's Colors (captured at Detroit, August 18, 1812), No, you yanks can't have them back! Russian drums captured at Inkerman in the Crimean War, etc., etc.
Having reached the time in the history of the regiment when it has gone from "The Invalids," to the (41st) to amalgamation with the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regt. under the new name of the Welsh Regiment, I'm going to pause and post the above. I will cover the remaining years 1881 until the present in another post.
I hope you find the article interesting, Taffy.

This post has been edited by taffy: Sep 1 2003, 10:33 AM

[Kiwiwriter]

Excellent post and great pictures. (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Custermen]

Eventually as the famous Duke of Wellington, and at the ripe old age
of 72, he would defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

You state two facts that are true but not related. Hmm correction ; my math says he lived to a ripe ole age of 83.

Trivia: Who was older at the Battle of Waterloo? Napoleon or Wellington?

Nooo fair peaking in Google.

Steve
PS: I have seen modern photos of the Goat on parade.
I thought so...the photo was posted right here on WBG about another unit.
http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/index.p...?showtopic=2876

This post has been edited by Custermen: Sep 3 2003, 09:06 AM

[taffy]

Forgive me Custerman, but I'm not quite with you. Are you pointing out a mistake in grammar. I believe Wellington was the elder by about 20 years.

[Custermen]

Not grammar. Because Wellington lived 30 years longer, most people think he was years older than Bonaparte.

Try again.
I had to go back and edit my statement and the Trivia Q. I'll get it right eventually.

Any guesses about on my above Trivia Q?

This post has been edited by Custermen: Sep 3 2003, 05:06 PM

[Custermen]

Okay. Either no one sees my Trivia Q or they don't know the answer.

Answer: Wellington was about 14 weeks older than Naploeon at the Battle of Waterloo (duh, and all other times, too).
The Duke had just turned 46 but Napoleon was 1 month shy of his 46th.

Napoleon Bonaparte born at Ajaccio, in the Island of Corsica, August 15th, 1769.
Died on May 5th, 1821. Age 52.

Arthur Wellesley, the son of the Earl of Mornington, was born in Dublin in 1 May 1769.
In 1814 Wellesley was granted the title, the Duke of Wellington. He was then put in command of the forces which defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in June, 1815.
First entered Parliament in 1 April 1806. Prime Minister from 1828-1830 (total time- 2 years, 320 days).
Wellington retired from public life in 1846 but in 1848 he organised a military force to protect London against possible Chartist violence at the large meeting at Kennington Common. The Duke of Wellington died on 14 September 1852 and is buried in St Paul's Cathedral. Age 83.

I reiterate that people have this idea from paintings of the older Duke that he was many years older than the Little Corporal. Simply not true.

Steve

This post has been edited by Custermen: Sep 5 2003, 11:48 AM

[Kaz1]

Taffy, what a fantastic, informative post.
Thanks for a wonderful read...!, i nearly had to get a second cup of tea
half way through!

(IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
Kaz. x

This post has been edited by Kaz1: Sep 10 2003, 02:38 AM

[Max (UK)]

Taffy I really enjoyed what you posted, must have taken ages to type that in - thanks alot for that.

This post has been edited by Max (UK): Sep 10 2003, 03:34 AM

[taffy]

Just logged on for a quite browse through the posts and what do I find, I'm the subject of discussion regarding my Welsh Regiment article.
Well I wouldn't be honest If I didn't admit to being a little miffed at some comments, but never having claimed to being a military historian
( and we all know the confusion they can cause ) it is only to be expected that more knowledgeable people on the boards may find the odd slip up. However, you are quite right Max, I didn't scribble the post in 2 minutes and as I mentioned in the essay, British military history is damned complicated when you get down to it. So perhaps that might have been taken into consideration. Lets face it, one of the attractions of
of the site is that everyone can put their six pennyworth in no matter how small that may be. (or how bright the individual posting it.)
I wrote the piece under the direct orders of a superior officer, Captain Kaz1, safe in the knowledge that if anyone dare criticise it unjustifiably
they had better have their flack jackets on. After all if we don't make these posts how are the likes of Kiwi going to learn!!!!!!!!!!!!
(IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
keep smiling, taffy.

This post has been edited by taffy: Sep 8 2003, 03:08 PM

[mattmc89]

taffy,

WOW! What an amazing post! You're right about British Military history being complicated! I only hope when I get around to doing my own writing here I can make it as interesting as yours! Cheers!


Matt

This post has been edited by mattmc89: Sep 10 2003, 07:42 AM

[Custermen]

Hi Katz,

While on the road, I tried to reply to this thread and clear up any confusion---but my rented computer timed out and I lost my message before it posted.

I did not mean to criticize your excellent post on the History of the Welch Regiment. I was trying to add a little of Trivia and to link this history to the other Unit History on the Royal Welch Fusiliers that also had a goat mascot.
Regarding the goat. I was just trying to recall where I had seen another photo of a goat mascot on this Forum. There was one. And I have seen a photo in a book somewhere of a goat in a pass & review. I never said that you made any error in your history and the Welch Regiment was the same as the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

My comments about the Duke of Wellington was intended to clarify your statement about his age. Your statement seemed to imply that he was 72 at the time of Waterloo. I thought the best method to get this across was to insert a Trivia Question. There was another trivia thread going on in another forum but this question would not fit in that category, so I posted it here.
I just thought that would be fun.

Sorry if I came across too strong or judgemental about your history.

Steve Cole
PS: BTW, I recall the first British cap badge I ever bought was the Royal Welch Fusiliers badge.

[ham and jam]

This took some finding, I knew there was a Welch regiment topic somewhere (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Anyway a cracking story by this soldier who served with the Lancashire and then the Welch regiment.

Part 1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A5779812

Part 2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/U2063499

Part 3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A5921570

Part 4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A5921714