Pennod 6 Milwyr y Welsh Guards

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-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.

-There's no threat on the wall

-at Buckingham Palace.

-From the Welsh soldiers...

-From the Welsh soldiers...

-

-I have until May to change my mind.

-As it stands, I'll leave the army

-this time next year.

-Will you miss it?

-Will you miss it?

-

-Yes, terribly.

-Everything they've been working for

-is for today.

-This is their moment.

-They should embrace it.

-..to English officers.

-My patrol base was shot at

-seven times in one day.

-From the barracks

-to Buckingham Palace.

-I'm excited

-but worried about making a mistake.

-Time to roll!

-From Afghanistan to North Wales.

-He said "Don't worry.

-I'll look after Mam and me."

-That really moved me.

-A Welsh regiment at the heart

-of the British establishment.

-This is the story of the soldiers

-of the Welsh Guards.

-January 2015

-At Catterick, the new recruits

-prepare for an important day...

-..in their military career.

-The last six months have

-led to the passing out parade.

-Their time in training

-is coming to an end.

-I really cannot wait.

-It's brilliant.

-It's everything we've wanted

-since we joined.

-We wanted to pass out,

-go to a battalion and start a job.

-We pass out tomorrow

-so everything has to be spot on.

-Are you feeling nervous?

-Are you feeling nervous?

-

-Yes, a bit.

-I'll be happier when it's over.

-It's exciting

-but I hope everything runs smoothly.

-You hear that you make friends

-for life in the army and it's true.

-We all have our arguments

-but I think we get on really well.

-If I go back home, then it's

-a different kind of friend.

-You'll go back but it's a different

-bond to the friends you have here.

-Oh, you took it down.

-Oh, you took it down.

-

-It's on my board.

-That was taken on Tacx 3

-and that guy looks totally lost.

-Tacx 3 is the worst thing

-I've ever had to do.

-It's four days in the field. Sleep

-deprivation with digging trenches.

-Couling struggled

-and suffered on that one.

-He was hallucinating. It was funny.

-I was seeing the enemy

-but there wasn't anything there!

-You ask yourself

-if it's real or not.

-You do this thing and I do it a lot.

-You stop and are literally

-standing up and falling asleep.

-That's his life.

-That's his life.

-

-Let's not go there.

-Somebody help me!

-Everybody ran passed him

-and he was calling out "somebody?"

-Seeing someone like Couling

-makes you feel better.

-Yes, that's it.

-I'm looking forward

-to seeing my family.

-I haven't seen Mam, Dad and

-my girlfriend in quite a long time.

-Mam and Dad last visited me

-in my third week of being here.

-I'd barely learnt anything

-apart from some marching...

-..so they will see

-how much I've improved.

-I hope they'll be able to see me.

-Mam didn't want me to come here

-at the start...

-..because she was frightened

-about me joining the infantry...

-..after hearing

-a lot of horror stories.

-Dad was very supportive.

-She probably just missed

-having me around the house!

-As the recruits prepare to

-start their military careers...

-..the Guards are about to lose

-an experienced soldier.

-March 2015

-Anglesey

-The army has been a big part of my

-life for over 20 years until now.

-It's enabled me to do things

-I could never have done on Anglesey.

-I entered the army to better myself.

-I've had great opportunities and

-was lucky with my posts in the army.

-I'm privileged

-to have done so many things.

-Will you miss it?

-Will you miss it?

-

-Yes, terribly.

-The Regimental Sergeant Major is

-the figurehead of the Welsh Guards.

-He's served in the army

-for many years.

-He started as a guardsmen

-and worked through the ranks.

-His position in the British army

-is commendable.

-The officers and everyone else

-look to him for advice.

-He's the most experienced.

-His main priority

-is the welfare of the lads...

-..as well as their security,

-welfare, training and everything.

-It's important for us

-to have an officer...

-..who has experienced

-what we're going through.

-I've got until the middle of May

-to change my mind.

-I need to start looking for work as

-I'll finish in the army next year.

-I was in college

-when he first joined up.

-I wasn't overly worried...

-..because we didn't have a family

-or any responsibilities.

-I can't say that I'm happy

-but I've learnt to live with it.

-I've got used

-to doing things myself.

-When he's home, I realize

-I don't have to do everything.

-I let him do it

-but that's just our way of life.

-Other people do things differently.

-You had a strop last night

-when you got home...

-..and I'd done all the washing

-and ironing.

-She didn't know

-what to do with herself!

-Has the nature of your relationship

-changed at all?

-Yes, definitely.

-He wore his tunic at our wedding so

-we'll have that photograph for life.

-We had to organize our wedding

-around the Trooping of the Colour.

-Since the very start...

-..the army has dictated when Martin

-can have leave or take holidays.

-It's become a way of life for us.

-Dad isn't home so we get on with it.

-They have controlled our lives.

-Yes, that's true.

-Do you miss your father sometimes?

-Do you miss your father sometimes?

-

-Yes, a lot of the time.

-Sometimes, we might not see him

-for two weeks...

-..because he's so busy that

-he can't get home at the weekend.

-It's also good for him...

-..because he gets to do something as

-opposed to being home all the time.

-Do you worry when Martin's away?

-Yes, I do.

-Every day.

-At times, it can be a nightmare.

-If you have children and a job

-then it's easier to keep going.

-He's done two tours

-in Afghanistan...

-..and I never want

-to go through that again.

-It's only after it's happened...

-..that we realized

-how close we came to losing him...

-..and getting that news.

-I never want

-to experience that again.

-It affects the children too.

-The first tour in Afghanistan

-was particularly difficult.

-I came home for a fortnight of R & R

-during those six months.

-At the end of that fortnight, Tomos

-went to bed but woke up crying.

-I took him back to bed.

-He was only nine years old

-at the time.

-He turned and said...

-"When you go back, I don't want you

-to worry about me, Sian and Mam.

-"I'll look after us.

-"Concentrate on work or you'll

-come home in a box or without legs."

-That really moved me.

-It was quite a thing for

-a nine-year-old to say to his Dad.

-How do you feel

-to have a father in the army?

-I'm very proud.

-I'm very proud of what he does.

-It was really difficult...

-..when he did

-his first tour in Afghan.

-It was tough when he came home too.

-He struggled to fit in.

-Those were three difficult weeks.

-It wasn't easy.

-Would you join the army?

-Would you join the army?

-

-I'm not sure. Maybe.

-There's plenty of time

-for me to decide.

-He has mentioned joining up

-a few times.

-I've got mixed emotions about it.

-He hasn't said anything to me.

-He hasn't said anything to me.

-

-He wouldn't tell you!

-We can't stop him

-if that's what he wants.

-I wouldn't say no...

-..but if he does join up, I'd want

-him to study at Sandhurst first...

-..and join as an officer.

-I wouldn't stop him...

-..but I wouldn't be

-over the moon about it either!

-I think his admiration for Martin

-is a strong part of it...

-..in terms of all he's experienced

-and the position he's achieved.

-You didn't do your best at school.

-He's worked hard to get

-where he is now in the army.

-Tomos admires that...

-..and knows you worked hard

-to get where you are today.

-Yes, but I'll tell him not to make

-the same mistakes that I made.

-You only get one chance in school

-and he should take it.

-I regret not working hard at school.

-I think he made the right decision

-in joining up...

-..and he's benefitted

-from that opportunity.

-Are you excited to have him home?

-Are you excited to have him home?

-

-Yes.

-We can go on regular walks

-and have more holidays.

-Sometimes, it was only Mam, Tomos

-and me but Dad can come too now.

-I'm looking forward to having

-a better relationship with Dad.

-Are you ready?

-We've lost a lot of time

-in the past...

-..so I'm looking forward to it.

-It'll be less pressure on Mam too.

-Alright?

-Someone else can do the job now.

-I'll have more time to spend with

-the family and improve my handicap!

-I'll miss the camaraderie,

-the friendships and banter.

-It's unique and more than a job.

-You're like a family.

-Yes, it's a way of life.

-The battalion is a family regiment

-in every sense of the word.

-You've spent more time with them...

-..but that's been the way

-we've lived our lives.

-We knew you wouldn't be home

-for every event.

-It'll be quite different

-for all of us.

-We all have to learn to adapt.

-The children and I understand

-each other and have a routine...

-..but somebody will be here

-all the time now.

-It'll be quite a change...

-..but for the better.

-.

-Subtitles

-The Guards have protected the Crown

-outside Buckingham Palace...

-..and defended military interests

-on the battlefield since 1915.

-It's a week before

-the cadets leave Sandhurst...

-..and they face the final fitness

-test before joining the regiment.

-I've been living with this platoon

-since 5 January.

-We rocked up as complete strangers

-but now know each other really well.

-For us, to be fit

-is important for our soldiers.

-They want their platoon commander

-leading the way.

-If you're capable,

-they look up to you more.

-Inevitably,

-there's people fitter than you...

-..but you need to be at the front

-pushing hard so they can see it.

-You can't expect them to smash

-themselves if you don't do it.

-I don't know if I'm sad to leave

-but am ready to leave.

-The best platoon commanders

-will get the best results...

-..because those under their command

-believe in them.

-Will they be a good officer?

-Will their men follow them

-and be good at their job?

-You can't go in as the be all and

-end all. They won't respect that.

-I wouldn't respect it

-if the shoe was on the other foot.

-My platoon will think,

-what is Mr Campbell Schofield like?

-Is he smartly turned out?

-Is he good at his job? Does he care?

-You earn their respect.

-A lot haven't been disappointed or

-told they've done something wrong.

-They've been captains of rugby teams

-and top of their classes.

-This is the first time they are told

-if they've done it wrong.

-It is damaging for an officer cadet

-but they push harder next time.

-The only way I maybe change...

-..is that I'm slightly

-less forgiving.

-When it comes to professional

-competence and fitness...

-..at Sandhurst, you expect people

-to be good at what they do.

-The consequences of them not being

-professional is so severe.

-It's doing what is right on

-a tough day when nobody's watching.

-That is absolutely vital.

-The youngest private soldier...

-..youngest guardsman

-and all officers must know that.

-Without it, there's not much

-that separates you and the bad guy.

-I'll miss the lads in the platoon.

-We've had some good times together.

-Moving into the field army will be

-the most exciting challenge for us.

-The cadets in Catterick

-are reaching the pinnacle...

-..of their six months of training

-to be in the Welsh Guards.

-Everything they've worked for

-is for today.

-The passing out parade

-is more for our families.

-They see how we have changed

-and developed during our training.

-They can also see

-how we've improved.

-I think we're all ready.

-We've practiced it

-for the last fortnight.

-I hope we all think about what

-we're doing and it should be good.

-It's kind of hit now.

-Seeing all the parents.

-You know it's here.

-A little bit nervous but it's one

-of the biggest days of our lives.

-A little nervous

-but I'm confident about it.

-I'm glad Mam, Dad and my girlfriend

-came to see me passing out.

-Sioned!

-I look forward to it.

-Mam, Dad and my girlfriend

-have just walked passed.

-They're not too early.

-Yes, I guess so.

-Are you excited now?

-Yes, and I'm glad they've arrived.

-It's a new start for me and I'm glad

-they came to my passing out.

-The boys will march with the

-Band of the Royal Armoured Corps.

-They have done extremely well

-and gone through all the tests.

-It's a good moment.

-They definitely achieved it.

-I wouldn't say I was going to

-miss them but it is a good occasion.

-I'm proud to have trained

-these recruits from civilians.

-Seeing them now as the finished

-product and final article...

-..is a proud moment for myself.

-At the very end of the parade...

-..I would like you

-to cheer, hoot, whistle.

-Make as much noise

-as you physically can.

-Everybody passed out

-to a high standard.

-Trainees take part in events as

-part of an intersection competition.

-The overall winners

-are the men you see before you.

-Congratulations!

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-By the right.

-Quick march!

-CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-Front.

-Congratulations, men.

-Not a bad effort.

-Fall out.

-I feel so proud to have done that.

-Are you alright?

-Are you alright?

-

-Yes.

-It wasn't that bad.

-I could feel my legs trembling.

-Congratulations.

-Thank you, sergeant.

-Well done, Thomas.

-Oh, you're thirsty as well!

-Mam didn't want me to come here

-and wanted me to try something else.

-Mam was scared

-because of all the horror stories.

-I'm very proud of him.

-I'm very proud of him.

-

-I think they all did very well.

-It was better

-than I was expecting it to be.

-It's taken weeks of hard work.

-Well done, I'm very proud.

-They've joined

-a really good regiment.

-It is a test to go through

-the six months of training.

-This day is the pinnacle

-of everything they've achieved...

-..in front of their families.

-Their mother, father and everyone

-with them feels extremely proud.

-Our regiment operates in a very

-different way to other regiments.

-We look after our lads

-and train them better.

-But our expectations are higher.

-They stand in front of Buckingham

-Palace and can't put a foot wrong.

-Other soldiers couldn't do

-what we ask of our men.

-You're part of history.

-We bought into it and feel special

-and part of that family regiment.

-It's the best thing that's happened

-to me after having my daughter.

-My daughter is proud

-that I serve in the army.

-I've made some of the best friends

-in life.

-When you march from the gate

-to Buckingham Palace...

-..you wonder why you do it...

-..but then, you see people

-taking photographs and clapping.

-It's a very proud moment.

-How is standing

-outside Buckingham Palace...

-..the same as being

-on patrol in Afghanistan?

-As a soldier, you need discipline

-to be on the battlefield...

-..and discipline when you're

-on guard at Buckingham Palace.

-It boils down to the individual.

-He has to want to look

-as smart as possible.

-We've got a bright future, a new

-role and interesting times ahead.

-We needed to change and modernize

-with the current situation.

-The next conflict

-will always come along.

-There's conflicts out there.

-If there's a situation, the Welsh

-Guards will be the first to help.

-This battalion goes

-wherever it is sent.

-S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis

-.