Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh facts for kids
Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
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| Established | 1935 |
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| Location | Brecon, Powys, Wales |
| Type | Military museum |
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh is a super interesting place in Brecon, Wales. It used to be called the South Wales Borderers Museum. This museum has a huge collection of items from all over the world. These items tell the amazing 300-year story of a famous Welsh army group, the Royal Welsh regiment.
Contents
A Look Back: The Museum's History
The museum first opened its doors to visitors in 1935. Back then, it was known as the South Wales Borderers Museum. In September 1967, special gates were put up to remember Colonel Courtney Trower. He was a brave leader during the First World War. Later, in October 1973, the Prince of Wales (who is now King Charles III) came to visit the museum. The museum changed its name to the Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh in 2006. This happened when the Royal Welsh regiment was formed.
The Museum's Amazing Collection
This museum is located at The Barracks, Brecon, in South Wales. It is proud to have one of the best collections of weapons in any army museum in the United Kingdom. You can see how soldiers' weapons changed over time, from the 1700s right up to today.
Medals and Brave Heroes
The museum has a special Medal Room with about 3,000 medals! In the main hall, there is a display of sixteen replica Victoria Crosses (VCs). These are copies of the real VCs, which are too valuable to be shown all the time. The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the British military.
The Famous Zulu War Story
One of the most popular parts of the museum is the Zulu War Room. This room tells the incredible story of the 24th Regiment of Foot during the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War. This war became famous because of the 1964 movie Zulu. The regiment earned 11 Victoria Crosses for their bravery during this time. Even Queen Victoria herself called the soldiers of the 24th Foot "The Noble 24th."
More to Explore
The museum also has a huge collection of old documents and records. Many of these are about the Zulu War of 1879. If you are a serious researcher, you can make an appointment to look at these documents. Plus, the museum has a fantastic collection of pictures, paintings, dioramas (3D models), drums, spears called assegais, old ammunition, buttons, badges, and uniforms.
Victoria Crosses Held by the Museum
The museum proudly holds the Victoria Cross medals awarded to these brave members of the regiment:
- Sergeant William Wilson Allen, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Private David Bell, 24th Regiment (for action during the Andaman Islands expedition)
- Major Gonville Bromhead, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Brigadier General Edward Stevenson Browne, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Hlobane)
- General Sir Alexander Cobbe, Indian Army; attached to the King's African Rifles (for bravery during the Second Boer War)
- Lieutenant Neville Josiah Coghill, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Isandhlwana)
- Private William Griffiths, 24th Regiment (for action during the Andaman Islands expedition)
- Private Frederick Hitch 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Sergeant Alfred Henry Hook, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Major General Dudley Graham Johnson, South Wales Borderers attached to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment (for bravery during the First World War)
- Private William Jones, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Lieutenant Teignmouth Melvill, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Isandhlwana)
- Company Sergeant Major Ivor Rees, 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers (for bravery during the First World War)
- Sergeant John Williams, 24th Regiment (for bravery at Rorke's Drift)
- Warrant Officer II John Henry Williams, 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers (for bravery during the First World War)
