Regimental Nicknames and Traditions of the British Army

by Anonymous

WELSH TRADITIONS

Among the peculiarities of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers is that of wearing a bunch of black ribbons fastened to the back of the collar. This is a survival of the patch of black leather which in former days was worn by all soldiers on the back to prevent the grease from the powdered pigtails from soiling the tunics. The regiment also enjoys the privilege, common to all Welsh regiments, of being led on parade by a goat, these animals being generally gifts from the Sovereign.

The South Wales Borderers have a highly-prized distinction, that of bearing a silver wreath of immortelles fastened to their King's colour, in commemoration of the devoted bravery of the regiment in the Zulu War.

All the Welsh regiments carry on their colours, or as badges, the device of the Plume of the Prince of Wales, the Rising Sun, and the Red Dragon of Cadwaladr.

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers were for many years the only regiment in the British Army using the old Irish war pipes, but now other Irish regiments have adopted the custom and possess full pipe bands. The Irish war pipe has but two drones, as distinctive from the Scottish bagpipes which have three.