Whilst on the topic of Hackles:
Welsh reservists first to wear new regimental headdress on operations
13 Mar 06
Reservists from the newly formed Infantry Regiment, the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh, serving in Basrah, southern Iraq are the first soldiers to wear their new hackles and cap badges in an operational theatre.
The soldiers of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh wearing their new headdress and hackles at Basrah Air Station, southern Iraq. From left; Front row (kneeling) Private Paul Davies, Private Simon Crewe, Private Daniel Wall, Private Neil Eddington, Private Daniel Hodgson. Back row (standing), Private Ronald Evans, Corporal Richard Gilgar, Private Mark O'Sullivan. [Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths, Press Information Centre, Basrah.]
The new Regiment - formed from the seven battalions of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Royal Regiment of Wales and the Royal Welsh Regiment - has brought together the infantry in Wales.
As the eight soldiers from the new 3rd Battalion were unable to attend the drumhead service held on 1 March 2006 to inaugurate the new Regiment at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Leader, the Commanding Officer of their Regiment, presented them with their hackles during a brief visit to see the soldiers at Basrah.
The soldiers, serving a six-month tour in Iraq, are all attached to Cambrai Company, based at Basrah Air Station. Their role involves providing force protection to the Headquarters of the Multi National Division (South East). The work includes carrying out patrols across southern Iraq in support of the Multi National Forces mission.
Private Simon Crewe, 25, from Swansea, is a university student in civilian life. He said of the new Regiment:
"I feel proud and honoured to wear our new cap badge. And to wear the hackle whilst we are serving on an operational tour is an added bonus as we are out here representing our Regiment.
"Working out here in Iraq means that I am doing the job I have trained for and am using the skills I have acquired during my time during the two years I have been a member of the Territorial Army. I feel that I am doing an important job – representing Britain and working to help the Iraqi people."
The new dress of The Royal Welsh is a three feather badge on a khaki beret with green edging and a hackle. The new stable belt is blue over green with a red divide and a leather buckle.
The Royal Welsh Regiment was formerly the Territorial Army Infantry Regiment for Wales. The Regiment was formed in 1999 from the 3rd Battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers and 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Wales. It has two Royal Welsh Fusiliers and two Royal Regiment of Wales Companies based in Wrexham and Colwyn Bay and Swansea and Pontypridd respectively, with its Regimental Headquarters in Cardiff. In its short existence the Royal Welsh Regiment gained a strong reputation amongst the public in Wales and deployed many soldiers on operations.
To celebrate St David’s Day, soldiers wore leeks in their lapels on patrols and around Basrah Air Station, sparking much interest amongst the local people.
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