The Welsh Guards were the final addition to Britain's prestigious foot guard regiments

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Formed in 1915, the Welsh Guards are the youngest of the five British foot guard regiments. Despite their late arrival, they quickly established a reputation for service, mounting guard at Buckingham Palace within a month of their creation and deploying to the Western Front during the First World War.

Established in February 1915 by order of Earl Kitchener and a Royal Warrant, the Welsh Guards were created to ensure Wales was represented among the elite foot guards. Their debut was rapid; by 1 March 1915, St David’s Day, the unit had already taken up ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace. Shortly thereafter, they were sent to France, seeing their first combat at Loos in September 1915. Throughout the First World War, the regiment participated in major engagements including the Somme, Ypres, and Cambrai.

During the Second World War, the regiment expanded to three battalions. The 1st and 2nd Battalions were involved in the 1940 defence of Boulogne and the subsequent evacuation at Dunkirk. Lieutenant the Hon Christopher Furness earned a posthumous Victoria Cross at the Battle of Arras in May 1940. Later in the war, the 1st and 2nd Battalions served within the Guards Armoured Division, notably becoming the first troops to enter Brussels in September 1944. Meanwhile, the 3rd Battalion, raised in 1941, saw extensive action across North Africa and Italy.

The post-war era brought diverse global deployments, including service in Palestine, Egypt, Aden, and Cyprus. In 1982, the regiment faced a significant tragedy during the Falklands War when the ship 'Sir Galahad' was attacked at Bluff Cove, resulting in the deaths of 32 Welsh Guardsmen. Despite this, the unit continued its mission to help reclaim the islands. In the 21st century, the regiment has maintained a presence in global operations, serving as peacekeepers in Bosnia and deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing their traditional role of guarding the monarch.

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