Royal Welsh Fusiliers in WW2

Schwartzvogel · #1 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 02:37 AM

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me anything about the RWF in WW2 which Battalions served where. I`ve tried surfing the net up have drawn a blank?

Wessex Wyvern · #2 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 09:40 AM

53rd Welsh Division had several RWF battalions.
53rd Division

http://www.britisharmedforces.org/i_...hfus_index.htm

Battle Honours WW2

The Second World War: Dyle, Defence of Escaut, St. Omer-La Bassée, Caen, Esquay, Falaise, Nederrijn, Lower Maas, Venlo Pocket, Ourthe, Rhineland, Reichswald, Goch, Weeze, Rhine, Ibbenburen, Aller, North-West Europe 1940 '44-45, Madagascar, Middle East 1942, Donbaik, North Arakan, Kohima, Mandalay, Ava, Burma 1943-45

1RWF was in 2nd Div the 1940 campaign & later Burma.
http://www.burmastar.org.uk/welsh.htm

http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/2nd_division.htm

Found this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites..._p_jones.shtml

Quote:

: if you know his battalion, the following might help.
The 1st battalion RWF France 1939/40; India 1942; Burma1942/1945
2nd battalion RWF Madagascar, India Burma 1942 1945
4th 6th 7th battalions territorial army Normandy, Belguim, Holland, Germany 1944/1945
8th bn uk
9th bn uk 1940 1945
10th bn RWF converted to the 6th Royal Welch parachute battalion the parachute regiment north africa italy south of france greece palestine 1942 1947
.5th 11th 12th were converted to royal artillrey units the 13th served in northern ireland.
Sun Jan 29 16:48:02 2006

Schwartzvogel · #3 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 10:39 PM

Guys thats amazing thanks ever so much. one final question, can you point me in the right direction for a list of all the RWF VC winners?

Wessex Wyvern · #4 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 10:42 PM

Yes, here.
THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS

Schwartzvogel · #5 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 10:47 PM

I`d also like to know more about..

4th 6th 7th battalions territorial army Normandy, Belguim, Holland, Germany 1944/1945

Can anyone help?

Schwartzvogel · #6 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wessex Wyvern

Yes, here.
THE ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS

Yeh, but these only seem to be the ones in the museum? There are more...

Wessex Wyvern · #7 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2008, 10:57 PM

Try and get a copy of this book.
It'll mention the RWF bns that served with 53 Div
The History of the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Second World War
Brigadier C N Barclay

or
Red Crown and Dragon: 53rd Welsh Division in North-west Europe, 1944-45: Patrick Delaforce

For an overview of the Regt try,
THAT ASTONISHING INFANTRY: The History of the Royal Welch Fusiliers 1689 - 2006
Glover, Michael

Schwartzvogel · #8 (**permalink**) May 16th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Cheers Wes

jum1801 · #9 (**permalink**) November 10th, 2008, 11:20 PM

FWIW, the RWF had a "better" WWI than WWII, particularly the 1st and 2nd Battalions. They were in the thickest of the fighting, and the 1st Battalion is famous for its stand at Mametz Wood. The well-known "war poet" Siegfried Sassoon served with both the 1st and 2nd Battalions. And the 2nd Battalion's medical officer, Dr. J. R. Dunn, attached to them from another unit, wrote the definitive account of the war in the trenches in The War The Infantry Knew.

BTW, they are even today obstinate about spelling it "Welch" instead of with an "s".