It is almost 110 years to the day when, on the orders of King George V, the Welsh Guards were formed on February 26th, 1915. It was of course, at a time when Britain was in the thick of the world’s first fully mechanised conflict.
The Welsh Guards received the Freedom of Bridgend County in 2011 and exercised this right today with an immaculate display of military precision, on the day of our patron saint.
St David’s Day, a day of great significance for the people of Wales, particularly the Welsh Guards. It’s more than just tradition, it reflects us as a people, our rich heritage, resilience and deep-rooted pride. Small Wales may be, but we have the heart and passion of a leviathan. This exact same spirit permeates throughout every fibre of our Welsh Guardsmen, past and present.
I was proud and privileged to attend today's St David's Day Service in Bridgend. The day was made even more extra-special by the attendance and march through Bridgend town centre, by serving Guardsmen, the Welsh Guards Band, alongside our veterans in No. 2 Dress.
The service was an extremely moving one, conducted by Rev David Brownridge CF Chaplain 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. The salute was taken by Mid Glamorgan Lieutenancy Lord Lieutenant Prof Peter Vaughan. I was indeed honoured to be presented with a St David's Day leek.
I am always immensely proud of our military service personnel and was privileged to meet many today together with senior officers. Speaking to veterans and current Welsh Guardsmen, the sense of honour and privilege at being able to march through Wales was palpable, it oozed out of every pour.
St. David’s Day in Bridgend was unbeatable as the Guardsmen past and present celebrated who we are and where we come from. The Welsh Guards did us proud.
Diolch yn Fawr Iawn for your service.
Ni ildiant Cymry.
Cymru Am Byth