Pennod 2 Milwyr y Welsh Guards

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-Since World War I...

-..the Welsh Guards have been

-a symbol of British military power.

-From the Battle of Loos in World

-War I to Dunkirk in World War II...

-..from the Falklands

-to Afghanistan...

-..the Guards have been central

-to the army and Crown since 1915.

-The regiment

-is proud of its history.

-Everyone who joins has to buy

-into that history and tradition.

-Famous for their bravery

-on the battlefield...

-..their red uniform

-and bearskins...

-..the Guards are a special regiment,

-but their role is changing.

-We've finished in Afghanistan

-so we're learning new skills.

-On the verge of their centenary

-and amid financial cutbacks...

-..they face new demands

-after the Middle East...

-..and the future looks uncertain.

-Most serving soldiers

-know nothing apart from Afghanistan.

-They need training

-for their new role.

-We're the only regiment

-who are soldiers and guards.

-We're unique and that's what

-makes the Guards so special.

-Why does a tourist go to London?

-To see the Changing of the Guard.

-Filmed over 18 months...

-..with special access

-to the life of the Guards.

-It is not acceptable.

-I will not take it in this platoon.

-From the Welsh soldiers...

-From the Welsh soldiers...

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-Liam Roberts, Guardsman.

-I'm from Caernarfon.

-All the uphill sections

-make it really tough.

-Karl Mark Williams from Caernarfon.

-They thought they knew Calon Lan

-but it wasn't that simple.

-..to English officers.

-This one's called Sheamus.

-From the barracks

-to Buckingham Palace.

-They're shining up and all bling.

-It's all good, all good.

-From Afghanistan to North Wales.

-It broke my heart when he left home

-for the first time on Mother's Day.

-A Welsh regiment at the heart

-of the British establishment.

-This is the story of the soldiers

-of the Welsh Guards.

-February 2015

-Cardiff

-Points winner!

-Turn down points winner.

-When Wales plays at the Millennium

-Stadium, the Welch Fusiliers...

-..with their white hackle and goat

-lead the teams to the pitch.

-This year, the Guards

-celebrated their centenary...

-..with 70,000 fans before the Wales

-v England game in the Six Nations.

-It's a special day.

-It's the first match of the Six

-Nations and we play the old enemy.

-When you're watching it at home,

-it makes you want to cry.

-Today will be totally different

-and I hope I don't end up crying!

-Rugby's the life and soul

-of the battalion.

-It's the one sport

-that links everyone...

-..the officers' mess,

-sergeants' mess and the guardsmen.

-I don't play rugby myself

-but it's our most popular sport.

-The officers support Wales...

-..but support England

-when they're playing against Wales.

-Most of the officers

-are English and speak English.

-We support England and Wales

-during the Six Nations.

-When it's England v Wales, there's

-a bit of a split in the mess.

-We don't see the officers that day!

-When England are playing Wales,

-I find myself in a quandary.

-It's so important for the boys

-for Wales to win...

-..but a significant part of me...

-..ends up quite happy

-when Wales beat England!

-Do you know the words

-to the Welsh National Anthem?

-When the occasion requires it,

-I can hold my own, just about!

-# As long as we beat the English

-# As long as we beat the English

-# We don't care #

-I'm lining the pitch and we've got

-personnel carrying the flags too.

-It's a proud day for us.

-I've been with the Welsh Guards

-for 15 years.

-To be part of this 100 year

-anniversary is a massive honour.

-I'm here to support Wales

-and tell people about the regiment.

-We're have two identities.

-We represent the British army...

-..and are proud of our connection

-with Wales and that we're Welsh.

-I'm a fan and the guard of honour.

-The players come through me.

-It's electrifying.

-I'll shout the words of command.

-No-one will hear it.

-It'll be so loud.

-I told my commanding officer...

-..that we had encountered

-a very difficult situation.

-"What do you mean?" he said.

-Whilst at the Millennium Stadium...

-..I asked if the boys would sing

-the English National Anthem.

-He said that they should

-because they protect the Queen...

-..and fight for their country.

-I said it was unlikely that they'd

-sing the English National Anthem.

-They'd sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

-but not for the English team.

-"Is that right?" he said.

-I said that I doubt we could change

-their minds and make them sing.

-The regiment

-is proud of its history.

-Everyone who joins has to buy

-into that history and tradition.

-I wasn't aware of its tradition

-until I actually joined up...

-..and was pumped

-with the regimental history...

-..and read about the battalion.

-It becomes a part of you.

-March 2015

-Cardiff

-St David's Day is very important

-to the Welsh Guards.

-But this year's celebrations

-are more important than ever.

-Today is a very special day.

-It's the battalion's centenary

-and it's fantastic to be in Cardiff.

-We're Welsh...

-..and feel very proud

-to be part of the battalion.

-We're not English Guards

-but the Welsh Guards.

-We're all Welsh

-so it's very special.

-The Welshness

-is incredibly important.

-That really is

-very central to who we are.

-I find it warms

-the cockles of my heart...

-..to hear Welshmen speaking Welsh,

-their own language...

-..which is so central

-to their culture.

-We've got a busy year ahead of us...

-..with some prominent events

-in England.

-Being able to celebrate in Cardiff

-today means so much to us.

-There's a service in church

-before the march...

-..and then we'll have a few beers!

-Good morning, one and all.

-Welcome to this very,

-very special day.

-Our St David's Day service

-at the Cardiff Millennium Centre...

-..celebrating

-not only St David's Day...

-..but also the 100 years...

-..of the formation

-of the Welsh Guards.

-The battalion

-was formed on 26 February.

-Three days later on 1 March...

-..the soldiers had their first duty

-at Buckingham Palace under the King.

-That's why we celebrate

-on St David's Day.

-It was the date of the first parade.

-# I seek not

-life's ease and pleasures #

-I was a company sergeant major

-on my last tour of Afghanistan.

-When we weren't out on operations

-and had some downtime...

-..we got the whole company together

-to do some singing.

-# A clean heart forever singing

-# Singing through

-the day and night #

-Since Afghanistan, we've developed

-from the company to the battalion.

-We have a service every Christmas.

-This year, the commanding officer

-wanted the choir to sing.

-We had just regrouped.

-This is our first live performance.

-Do you sing well?

-Do you sing well?

-

-I hope so. We do our best.

-# If I cherish earthly treasures

-# Swift they flee and all is vain #

-Everyone feels better

-after a sing-song.

-We're singing Calon Lan

-because it's one of our favourites.

-# A clean heart

-o'erflow'd with goodness #

-They thought they knew Calon Lan...

-..but by the end, they were

-full of energy and belting it out.

-# A clean heart forever singing

-# Singing through

-the day and night #

-St David's Day in Cardiff was our

-biggest concert since regrouping.

-One or two of the boys were nervous.

-Most of the battalion is Welsh.

-I'm very happy about that.

-I celebrate St David's Day

-as a Welshman, not an Englishman.

-It actually means something.

-# Gwlad, Gwlad... #

-I sang Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

-with all my heart...

-..but wasn't fussed

-about God Save The Queen.

-# God save our gracious Queen #

-I didn't sing it

-but I know the words.

-I'm a Welshman first!

-Did you sing God Save The Queen?

-Did you sing God Save The Queen?

-

-Yes, I sang both.

-We're the British army

-and serve the whole country...

-..but over 90% of the battalion

-is Welsh.

-It gives us a special identity

-over the other foot guards.

-A lot of people across the army...

-..comment on the

-battalion's character.

-The battalion didn't have a hackle

-when it was formed in 1915.

-They first wore the leek as a hackle

-on 27 September 1915.

-It stems back to when

-the soldiers wore leeks...

-..to identify themselves

-on the battlefield.

-St David had the idea of wearing

-a leek as part of the Welsh costume.

-It feels very special to wear it,

-especially on St David's Day.

-Welsh Guards. General salute.

-Welsh Guards.

-Salute!

-We are one big family and like all

-families, we have the odd argument.

-In the end, we all work to the same

-ideals and look after each other.

-As a guard at Buckingham Palace,

-you see about 3,000 people.

-Today, I felt very special because

-we're a Welsh regiment in Cardiff.

-Most were related

-to someone on the parade.

-One of my dreams...

-..is to march in Caernarfon

-in front of my friends and family.

-It's definitely special.

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-Over the last two years...

-..we've been with the Welsh Guards

-in the run-up to their centenary.

-The Guards must be ready

-for any military situation...

-..in the Middle East,

-Europe or Africa.

-The fitness test...

-..ensures the soldiers are ready

-for any physical challenge.

-The regiment faces

-one of the army's toughest of tests.

-It's called the two-miler.

-They run a mile up a hill

-and a mile back to the finish line.

-They have 18 minutes to do it.

-Some people say that it's easy.

-Running up so many hills...

-..really takes its toll

-on your legs.

-It's tough to push your body.

-Get your kit on.

-Start behind Roberts.

-OK, men? Go!

-Some of the young boys

-who are coming through...

-..are outrageously fit.

-In contrast, there are other boys

-coming through...

-..who have only ever

-played on the PlayStation or Xbox.

-They join the army and struggle.

-Come on, Roberts. Let's go!

-Get a good time.

-There's no point in thinking

-you can't do it...

-..because you're putting

-yourself down.

-You've got to push your body

-and keep going...

-..so that you reach the end

-with the best possible result.

-The boys work really hard.

-One or two have failed the test.

-Some have passed

-with excellent times.

-Put in the effort now. Come on.

-That was really tough

-and I'm out of breath now.

-Why's that?

-I'm carrying all this weight

-and trying to push my body too.

-It's meant to emulate

-the way you run into a battle.

-Some say that two miles is nothing

-but I'd like to see them do it!

-It's one of the toughest tests

-in the army.

-I've just finished the two miles

-with 35lbs on my back...

-..wearing a helmet

-and carrying a gun.

-You have to beat a certain time

-to pass the test.

-All the uphill sections

-make it really tough.

-It's really tough.

-Is it worse than before?

-Is it worse than before?

-

-Yeah. Unbelievable.

-Let's go, lads. Hurry up!

-I did it in 19 minutes.

-I'm disappointed to have missed

-the 18-minute target.

-He told me not to take it to heart.

-It's still something

-that gets you down...

-..but it encourages you

-to do better next time.

-I'm sure my body

-will be aching tomorrow.

-Tonight, I'll have a relaxed bath...

-..to try and get my muscles

-back to normal.

-I've got to cover

-eight miles tomorrow...

-..so I hope I'll be alright by then!

-It takes more than fitness

-to be in the Welsh Guards.

-You need discipline for the drill.

-Ceremonial duties at Buckingham

-Palace and Windsor Castle...

-..are an integral part

-of the Welsh Guards.

-The guards

-are the Queen's bodyguards.

-Passing the drill is essential to

-the boys' future in this battalion.

-Sort your lockers out

-and get your drill kit out ready.

-Get your head into the game

-to pass the drill test.

-We're all trying

-to get our kit ready.

-There's a buddy system.

-We check each other's kit

-to ensure that everything is neat.

-The collar needs to sit properly

-and buttons should be neat.

-There's an idle thread that

-should be burnt off with a lighter.

-It's the sort of thing they would

-pick up during a kit inspection.

-Have you changed your shirt?

-Yes, I'd spotted a few creases.

-They were small

-but I didn't want to risk it.

-My boots are far from ready.

-I'll go over them again

-because they are full of scratches.

-Hopefully get it right first time

-because everyone wants to get home.

-They're bound

-to pick up on something.

-I hope everything is alright.

-Will you be glad when it's over?

-Will you be glad when it's over?

-

-Yes.

-If we pass!

-This morning

-is the Adjutant's drill inspection.

-It's the first time

-we put them through a major hurdle.

-We test if they move

-as a formed body of men...

-..and have the military standards

-we expect.

-Your toe caps need a bit of work.

-Look down.

-What did you have for breakfast?

-What did you have for breakfast?

-

-Coco Pops.

-Coco Pops? You can see it.

-You've got Coco Pops on your shirt.

-Your uppers need

-a significant amount of work.

-Look at your man here.

-They're nice and shiny. He's put in

-a lot of time and effort.

-If you look at yours...

-I'll put my shoe in there

-and you can see the difference.

-I find it quite difficult

-to prepare my boots and kit.

-Discipline is extremely important

-in the army.

-We ask people to do extreme things

-in odd environments.

-The minutiae will make you

-fall down on operations and here.

-By the right.

-Quick march!

-As Welsh Guards, we need to know

-the history of our regiment...

-..and know the officers.

-Left.

-Turn!

-And know the drill

-because you're a guard.

-Miss, over,

-two, three, four, five, down.

-Thomas, please.

-Miss, over, two, three, four, five.

-Who's the middle one?

-Over, two, three, four, five, down.

-He's good. He's OK.

-Three, four, five, down.

-Who have we got? Let's go

-for Thomas. Starter for ten, please.

-Trainee guardsman Thomas!

-One, sir.

-I knew I'd be chosen

-and that affected my nerves.

-Halt, check, one, two.

-When I'm nervous, I can't think

-properly and forget everything.

-Come here closer.

-I don't want to shout at you.

-Two.

-Thomas, here we go.

-Who am I?

-Um, sir.

-But... yeah.

-I panicked a bit.

-What parade are you on today?

-Adjutant's test.

-OK, the clue's in the name.

-Um... Major...

-Um... Major...

-

-No, nearly.

-Um... Captain...

-Um... Captain...

-

-Yes, good.

-Captain Wellesley-Wood.

-What regiment am I from?

-What regiment am I from?

-

-The Grenadiers, sir.

-I blame my nerves

-but I hope they get better.

-One, two, three, one.

-Left, right, left.

-It's a confidence thing.

-He knows it

-but needs to believe in himself.

-When I was at university,

-I didn't know what I wanted to do.

-I'm enjoying it here

-and making a better life for myself.

-OK, relax.

-Break as you and look into me.

-Well done.

-Congratulations, you've all passed.

-Feel proud of what you've achieved.

-Enjoy your weekend.

-If relaxing is putting away

-ten pints of Stella then it's fine.

-Go away, enjoy yourself and come

-back refreshed and ready to learn.

-The course only gets better,

-gets harder and more interesting.

-Out turn!

-Out turn!

-

-One!

-People tend to think that the army

-is strict and firm.

-Turn out.

-One!

-The majority of the troops

-have done what was expected.

-A few people

-have fallen below the standard.

-Your personal drill, some of you

-are ****** idle and lazy.

-It's warm but it doesn't mean

-you can let your arms fall away.

-Doesn't mean

-you can slow the pace down.

-You've passed the test. Well done.

-However, what I would not

-find acceptable...

-..is people not ****** bothering

-to shave this morning.

-How dare you?

-They want us to learn new things

-and to behave properly.

-We shave every day.

-You need to get it into your head

-and do it right the first time.

-It is not acceptable.

-I will not take it in this platoon.

-Stand by the next man who does not

-follow my simple instructions.

-Is that clear?

-Is that clear?

-

-Yes, sergeant.

-I think I'm getting better...

-..but everything has to be spot on.

-I expect a lot more effort

-on the drill square from now on.

-To your duties, fall out!

-One, two, three. One, two, three.

-Left, right, left.

-Get away!

-Next week

-on Milwyr Y Welsh Guards...

-Trench clearing

-is something I'd never done.

-With regards to the food fight,

-you need to police that as well.

-It broke my heart

-when he left home on Mother's Day.

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