The Royal Welsh Museum

The Royal Welsh Museum Our museum tells the long and proud story of the regiment of The Royal Welsh with over 300 years of history.

in 1944 Lt Tasker Watkins, 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment, took part in the action which resulted in him being awarde...
16/08/2026

in 1944 Lt Tasker Watkins, 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment, took part in the action which resulted in him being awarded the Victoria Cross. While fighting at Barfour, near Falaise, he attacked a German machine gun post single handed whilst leading a bayonet charge, he later led a second bayonet charge after his company was left isolated and surrounded by the enemy. He eventually led his men safely back to battalion headquarters. His citation recorded that: "his superb gallantry and total disregard for his own safety during an extremely difficult period were responsible for saving the lives of his men and had a decisive influence on the course of the battle."

in 1945 Japan surrendered and the Second World War finally came to an end. These leaflets, tellling Japanese soldiers ...
15/08/2026

in 1945 Japan surrendered and the Second World War finally came to an end. These leaflets, tellling Japanese soldiers how to surrender, were dropped all over the pacific during 1944 and 1945. They implore the soldier not to sacrifice “... yourself in this useless battle” but to guard “...your life so that when the day of post-war reconstruction comes you can give your effort. This is the path of true patriotism and loyalty to the Emperor.”

to a time of elegant tea parties on the lawn! This great photo shows officers and wives of the 1st Battalion, South Wa...
13/08/2026

to a time of elegant tea parties on the lawn! This great photo shows officers and wives of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, enjoying afternoon tea in the gardens of Flagstaff House, Karachi, India, (now Pakistan) in around 1909.

- here's a fun photograph of a group of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, putting on a concert party at the N...
10/08/2026

- here's a fun photograph of a group of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, putting on a concert party at the North West Frontier, India in 1939. We are loving the costumes but are slightly disturbed by the ventriloquist's dummy!

Happy everyone! To celebrate our feline friends, here's a lovely photograph of Sergeant R Evans, Welsh Regiment, and a...
08/08/2026

Happy everyone! To celebrate our feline friends, here's a lovely photograph of Sergeant R Evans, Welsh Regiment, and a kitten during the First World War - enjoy!

in 1850 Alfred Henry Hook VC was born in Churcham, Gloucesterhire. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1877 and sai...
06/08/2026

in 1850 Alfred Henry Hook VC was born in Churcham, Gloucesterhire. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1877 and sailed to Africa soon afterwards. At Rorke's Drift on 22nd-23rd January 1879, Hook was stationed in the small hospital building when the Zulus attacked. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in fighting off the attacks and saving the lives of eight patients. He bought his discharge from the army for £18 in 1880 and moved to London where he worked as an attendant at the British Museum. He retired due to ill health in 1904 and died at home in Gloucestershire on March 12, 1905.

05/08/2026

A little behind the scenes from our trip to the with the Army two weeks ago! From setting up to meeting thousands of visitors, here’s a glimpse of what we got up to. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stand!

This lovely portrait, taken in 1915, is of Captain Brian Morgan Dunn MC, 2nd Battalion, The Welsh Regiment. Captain Dunn...
03/08/2026

This lovely portrait, taken in 1915, is of Captain Brian Morgan Dunn MC, 2nd Battalion, The Welsh Regiment. Captain Dunn was one of four brothers who fought during the First World War, two of whom were killed in action. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre. After the war, he continued to serve with the Welsh Regiment and captained the Regimental rugby team, twice leading them to victory in the Army Rugby Cup. He sadly died in October 1926, aged 31-years-old.

, in 1917, Sergeant Ivor Rees of the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most co...
31/07/2026

, in 1917, Sergeant Ivor Rees of the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery in attack” during the third Battle of Ypres. Sgt Rees successfully led his platoon under heavy fire to capture a German machine gun emplacement. He took thirty prisoners and captured an undamaged enemy gun. He received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 26th September 1917.

in 1944, Sergeant William Smith, 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, wrote home to his mother for the last time. He...
29/07/2026

in 1944, Sergeant William Smith, 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, wrote home to his mother for the last time. He wrote: "Please don’t send any more soap or chocolate. No cakes mum. I have plenty of soap and am not keen on chocolate or cake. We get plenty of sweets issued. By-by mum dear for now. Your loving son, Bill ######x”. Sgt Smith was serving in Normandy as part of the 53rd Welsh Division and on 19 August 1944, during the fighting around Falaise, he was killed in action. He was 26 years old.

William Charles Smith is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, near Caen, France.

Address

The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum, The Barracks, The Watton
Brecon
LD37EB

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

01874 613310

Website

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