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Copy Herewith AGENDA ITEM NO. 8 REPORT TO: Council REPORT NO: HCCS/39/14 DATE: 26 March 2014 LEAD MEMBER: Councillor David Griffiths (Armed Forces Champion) CONTACT OFFICER: Craig Stevens (Tel: 292276) SUBJECT: Honorary Freedom of the County Borough – The Welsh Guards WARD: N/A 1. PURPOSE OF THE REPORT To consider the granting of the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough to The Welsh Guards. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 The Welsh Guards were formed on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V. 2.2 From this date many men from the County Borough area have served in the Regiment. 2.3 The Welsh Guards have paraded through the streets of Wrexham on a number of occasions. They last did so in 2010 as part of a tour of Wales. 2.4 The Welsh Guards Falkland Islands Association memorial to those Guardsmen that died during that conflict is situated at Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham. 2.5 To formally recognise their contribution to the County Borough and their relationship with the people of Wrexham and to acknowledge the forthcoming Centenary of their formation the Council are asked to consider granting the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough to The Welsh Guards. 3 RECOMMENDATION 3.1 That the Council invite The Welsh Guards to accept the Honorary Freedom of the County Borough. 2 3.2 That subject to acceptance by The Welsh Guards of the proposal referred to in 3.1 above, further discussions be held with the Battalion with a view to the Council arranging a formal Freedom Ceremony for this purpose on 18 July 2014. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION To formally recognise the contribution of The Welsh Guards to the County Borough and their relationship with the Authority and people of Wrexham. 4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 4.1 History of The Welsh Guards 4.2 The Welsh Guards was raised on 26 February 1915 by order of King George V, in order to complete the national complement of regiments of Foot Guards identified with the countries of the United Kingdom. On inception the Regiment took its place alongside the English Grenadier Guards and Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards and the Irish Guards. Two days later, the Battalion mounted its first King's Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 - St David's Day. 4.3 On 17 August 1915 the 1st Battalion sailed for France and formed part of the Guards Division. Its first battle was fought at Loos on 27 September 1915 and the Regiment's first Victoria Cross was won by Sergeant Robert Bye at Pilckem in July 1917. 4.4 Between the wars the 1st Battalion was stationed in Cologne, Egypt and Gibraltar, where it was, at the outbreak of war in 1939. 4.5 The Regiment was expanded to three Battalions during World War II. The 1st Battalion fought in all the campaigns of North West Europe. The 2nd Battalion was formed in 1939 and fought in Boulogne in 1940, whilst the 1st Battalion was in Belgium as part of the British Expeditionary Force. 4.6 In May 1940, at the Battle of Arras, the Regiment's second Victoria Cross was won by Lieutenant the Hon Christopher Furness, who was killed in action. In 1941, a 3rd Battalion was raised and fought throughout the Tunisian and Italian Campaigns. 4.7 Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd Battalion formed part of the Guards Armoured Division - the 1st Battalion as infantry and the 2nd Battalion as an Armoured Battalion. The two Battalions working together were the first troops to re-enter Brussels on 3 September 1944 after an advance of 100 miles in one day, in what was described as "an armoured dash unequalled for speed in this or any other war". 4.8 Shortly after the war, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded and the 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation. In the second half of the last century the 1st Battalion served in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Palestine, Egypt, Germany, Aden, Cyprus and Belize, as well as forming part of the task force that fought in the Falklands campaign in 1982. The Battle Honour for which is now borne on the colours. 4.9 Exercises have been conducted all around the world, including in the USA, Canada, Greece, Belize, Norway, Kenya, Morocco, Gibraltar, Macedonia, Poland and France. 3 4.10 Operational Tours 4.11 The Welsh Guards have been on operations all around the world with tours to Afghanistan and Iraq being the most recent. The wide range of activities undertaken by the Welsh Guards reflects the busy and varied nature of the modern day British Army. 4.12 A Guardsman who has served with the Battalion over the last ten years will have been on operational tours to Northern Ireland, Iraq (under 4 Armoured Brigade), Bosnia (under EUFOF, European Forces), Kosovo and Afghanistan, interspersed with fire fighting, sport, adventurous training and state ceremonial and public duties demonstrating the busy nature of this period. 4.13 The most recent tours of duty were in 2009 as part of 19 Light Brigade and 2012 as part of 12 Mechanized Brigade both based in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan. 4.14 The Battalion is currently deployed on a further tour of Helmand Province with 12 Mechanised Brigade for six-months 4.15 Ceremonial Duties 4.16 As a Foot Guards Regiment in the Household Division, the Welsh Guards are proud to provide the guard for Her Majesty the Queen at her royal residences. When carrying out this duty the Battalion mounts from Wellington Barracks in central London, although it is currently based in Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow, in west London. 4.17 When in its ceremonial role, the Battalion provides the Guards at St James's and Buckingham Palaces, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London. Other ceremonial tasks and parades include Trooping the Colour and Guards of Honour for visiting heads of state. 4.18 Those on parade wear the famous red tunic and bearskin, or Greatcoats in the winter, whilst carrying out all their duties. 4.19 One way to distinguish between the regiments of the Foot Guards is the spacing of the buttons on the tunic. The Welsh Guards wear their buttons in groups of five and have white and green plumes on their bearskins. 4.20 The Battalion was proudly involved in the Royal Wedding in April 2011 of Prince William and Kate Middleton providing the Royal Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace with the remainder of the Battalion street lining the processional route on Horse Guards. 4.21 In order to keep the Battalion fit and current on their military skills, it is normal for the Battalion to deploy on overseas exercises and operational tours whilst posted to London. 4.22 Granting of Freedom 4.23 Earlier this year the possibility of marking the forthcoming Centenary of the formation of The Welsh Guards was discussed. 4 4.24 Considering the operational commitments of the Regiment, the Welsh Guards suggested that a parade be held in Wrexham on Friday 18 July 2014. 4.25 Such a parade would recognise and reinforce the links that have been established between the Battalion and the County Borough and formally acknowledge them. 4.26 Colonel Tom Bonas has confirmed that there is great enthusiasm within the Regiment to formalise their relationship with Wrexham and that it would be a great honour for the Regiment to be admitted as Honorary Freemen of the County Borough should the Council consider bestowing it. 4.27 The Welsh Guards Falkland Islands Association memorial to those Guardsmen that died during that conflict is situated at Llwyn Isaf, Wrexham. Since this memorial was dedicated annual Remembrance Services have been held at St.Giles Parish Church, Wrexham and wreath laying has taken place at Llwyn Isaf. 4.28 The Welsh Guards Comrades Association were one of the signatories of the Wrexham Community Covenant and have been represented and involved in events publicising and supporting this initiative. 4.29 The Freedom of the County Borough is granted under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972. 4.30 Policy Framework – This is a matter for determination by Council and it furthers a number of Strategic Priorities contained in the Council Plan 4.31 Budget – The associated costs for this ceremony would be met from the budget allocated for Armed Forces Day 2014. 4.32 Legal – The Council is empowered to grant such an award under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972. 4.33 Staffing – Council Staff would co-ordinate arrangements to celebrate the event. 4.34 Equality/Human Rights – This report poses no adverse implications for the Council. 4.35 Risks – There are no identifiable risks to the Council arising from this decision. 5. CONSULTATION Not applicable. 6. SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS This matter has not been referred to a Scrutiny Committee. BACKGROUND PAPERS LOCATION WEBSITE INFO. .
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