Queen's Birthday Salute

41st Foot with the Corps of Drums, 3rd Batt. Royal Welsh Regt

La Albuera

  The 41st in Spain

Kevin Hughes

Tragically, on Saturday 16th October, our dear friend Kevin was killed in a road traffic accident. Kevin was a member of the 7th Hussars and an ex member of the 41st, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Our thoughts are with Lesley, their children and all their family and friends at this terrible time. 

Cardiff Castle

On June 24th and 25th we were invited once again to help the Regimental Band begin their Beating the Retreat ceremony, this year we had the added bonus of two visitors from the Canadian 41st Foot.

Again the event took place in the glorious evening sunshine, we were visited by many dignitaries who were invited to the ceremony.

Saturday 25th the 41st acted as Guard of Honour for the opening of "The Firing Line" the new Regimental museum.  The museum was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales who chatted with our drummer prior to the ceremony.

After the official opening, HRH The Prince of Wales chatted with our camp follower Sheila, reviewed the guard, who were joined by Tom and Ray our Canadian colleagues and our longtime friend and champion, John Dart ex RSM of The Welsh.

Llandovery Sheep Festival

Saturday morning saw the regiment billeted in the quiet market town of  Llandovery, a town that had seen the execution of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan for daring to defy a English king.

In the market square where Llywelyn was hung drawn and quartered (not necessarily in that order) the proud 41st would first drill, then patrol and would finally fight with the local ruffians to restore order to this important market town.

Saturday saw a disturbance in the castle.  Pelted by rocks from the locals, the 41st, holding fast against a torrent of missiles finally lost patience with the crowd and upon the order of their Captain, who had given the riotous assembly warning to disperse by reading the riot act,  marched up the castle banks to seize the rioters.  The ring leaders were rounded up, and fittingly lined against the statue dedicated to Llywelyn before being shot, their bodies left as a warning to the rest of the populace.

In the evening the guard of the 41st were called out again, this time to arrest and administer punishment to a drunk who had made a nuisance in front of the dignitaries of that fair town.  Justice was administered swiftly by the drummer using the cat ‘o’ nine and the unfortunate sobered up quickly and made his apologies to all those present.

Saturday saw no more disturbance but Sunday brought fresh  rioters and more rocks thrown at the 41st who, again after  the riot act was read, once more fixed their bayonets and with the weight of the law on their side, marched into the rioters, selecting those who would promote and encourage such disturbance before taking them to the foot of Llywelyn to be summarily executed for their crime.

The 41st left with a promise to return the following year should the populace request it