Fight to keep Army name (From Penarth Times)

Fight to keep Army name

FORMER Royal Welch Fusiliers in Penarth and Cardiff have met with local MP Alun Michael as part of their campaign to save the name of Wales' infantry regiments.

The members of the Cardiff branch of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades' Association are among hundreds of former soldiers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the Royal Regiment of Wales and The Royal Welch TA Regiment who have been waging a war of letter-writing to complain about a decision by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon to put the existing names of the regiments after the new regimental title.

They are incensed that the Scottish Regiments are to be allowed to use the existing names first and demand to know why Wales is being treated differently.

Campaigners have found support from Lords and MPs, including Alun Michael, angry that centuries of tradition in Welsh regiments risk being lost if their names fade away.

Ernest Lockston, chairman of the Cardiff Comrades' Association, said: "We want to right this slight to Wales,"

"It was a real shock for the Welsh regiments as they specifically asked that their traditional names were allowed to lead the new regimental title.

"The injustice was made greater by the fact that the Scottish regiments were allowed exactly what was denied to the Welsh regiments.

"We understand that name order may appear to be a minor point, but it is a vital one for the regiments, as historical names are a key part of retaining that sense of tradition and history so vital to morale and recruiting."

Alun Michael has taken up the issue on behalf of local ex-soldiers with a letter to Rt Hon Geoff Hoon, Secretary of State for defence.

Mr Michael said: "I am hopeful of a positive response and I am certain that Geoff will listen to the strength of feeling among ex-soldiers and MPs in Wales.

"I shall put to him personally the points made to me by local members of the Comrades' Association."