South Wales Borderers

South Wales Borderers
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Unit name	South Wales Borderers
Caption	Cap badge of the regiment
Dates	1881–1969
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Garrison	Brecon
Motto	"Ich Dien"
Notable commanders	Garnet Wolseley, Evelyn Wood, Redvers Buller

South Wales Borderers were a line infantry regiment of the British Army raised in 1881 that served in colonial wars and two world wars. The regiment originated from earlier numbered regiments and fought at notable engagements including the Anglo-Zulu War, the Second Boer War, the Battle of the Somme, and operations in Burma during the Second World War. Its personnel and traditions link to units such as the 24th Regiment of Foot, the Army Service Corps, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and later amalgamations leading to the Royal Regiment of Wales.

History

The regiment's lineage traces through the 24th Regiment of Foot, connected to figures like William Pitt the Younger, Duke of Wellington, Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, and campaigns such as the Peninsular War, the Crimean War, and the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Under reforms by Edward Cardwell and Hugh Childers, the 24th merged into county-based formations, associating with Wales counties, Brecon, and depots like Brecon Barracks. Officers and soldiers served alongside contemporaries from the Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, and colonial units including the Native Contingents (South Africa).

Formation and early service

Raised originally as the 24th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served in assignments involving commanders such as Garnet Wolseley and Sir Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley during imperial policing actions. Deployments included garrison duties in Ireland, postings to India, stationing in Ceylon, and service with formations like the South African Campaigns. Early associations linked the regiment to reformers Cardwell and Childers Reforms, county recruiting areas encompassing Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, and to barrack installations at Cardiff and Swansea.

Victorian era and Anglo-Zulu War

During the Victorian era the regiment, under leaders such as Lord Chelmsford and Henry Havelock-Allan, participated in the Anglo-Zulu War including the defence of Rorke's Drift and the Battle of Isandlwana. Soldiers fought alongside units like the Zulu impis, faced commanders such as Cetshwayo kaMpande, and were recognised by figures including Queen Victoria and recipients like Lieutenant John Chard and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead. The campaign connected the regiment to broader imperial conflicts such as the Mahdist War and drew attention from contemporary press and writers like Alfred, Lord Tennyson and W. E. Gladstone.

20th century: First and Second World Wars

In the First World War the regiment served on the Western Front during battles including the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Ypres, and the Battle of Arras, operating within formations like the British Expeditionary Force, Kitchener's Army, and alongside regiments such as the Royal Fusiliers and King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Officers included war figures connected to Douglas Haig, Herbert Kitchener, and John French. In the Second World War battalions saw action in the Norwegian Campaign, the North African Campaign, the Italian Campaign, and the Burma Campaign fighting against forces led by Erwin Rommel, Subhas Chandra Bose-aligned units in Asia, and coordinating with allies such as the United States Army and the Chinese National Revolutionary Army.

Interwar period and reorganizations

Between wars the regiment underwent reductions and reorganizations under policies influenced by Winston Churchill (as Chancellor earlier), the Geddes Axe, and the restructuring of the Territorial Force into the Territorial Army. Units served on garrison duties in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence and in imperial policing roles in Palestine and Egypt. Reforms saw battalions amalgamated, territorial battalions affiliated with civic institutions in Cardiff, and links to reserve formations like the Army Reserve and the Supplementary Reserve. Post-1945 reorganizations led to eventual amalgamation with the Welch Regiment forming the Royal Regiment of Wales under broader defense reviews by ministers including Denis Healey and colleagues.

Regimental traditions and insignia

The regiment maintained traditions including a cap badge, colours, and the motto "Ich Dien" reflecting cadet ties to Welsh heraldry and associations with aristocratic colonels such as Earl of Carysfort and Marquess of Anglesey. Ceremonial links connected to the Cardiff Castle and civic parades in Swansea, with pipe and drums traditions shared with Welsh units like the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Battle honours displayed on the regimental colours commemorated actions from the Peninsula to Zulu campaigns and modern theatres like Normandy and Burma. Associations with charities and veteran organizations included the Royal British Legion, regimental museums, and memorials such as the Rorke's Drift Monument.

Battle honours and legacy

Battle honours awarded encompassed actions including Talavera, Waterloo-era honours inherited from antecedent units, Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, Aden, Somme 1916, Ypres 1917, El Alamein, Monte Cassino, and Imphal. The regiment's legacy survives in organizations such as the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh, regimental associations, and commemorative events involving figures like descendants of Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead. Its lineage influenced modern formations including the Royal Regiment of Wales and the Royal Welsh, and is remembered in literature, film portrayals of Rorke's Drift, and histories by historians like John Keegan and David Chandler.

Category:Infantry regiments of the British Army