Royal Welsh Regimental Museum & Zulu War Collection, Brecon- MM029

The Royal Welsh Regimental Army Museum, is the museum of the former 24th South Wales Borderers who famously fought at the Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift in the Zulu War of 1879. The modern Royal Welsh Regiment is combined from the South Wales Borderers, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Welch Regiments. The museum has an impressive
regimental collection from the late 18th century to the modern day with historical uniforms from the Welsh regiments and captured items from their opponents. Their medal collection is stunning but what really makes this museum unique is their Zulu War display with Zulu weapons & shields, British army uniforms & weapons and the tattered British Union Flag that flew over Rorke's Drift as the garrison were besieged. This museum is well worth a day out!
The Royal Welsh Regimental Museum
The Barracks
The Watton
Brecon
LD3 7EB
royalwelshmuseum.wales/

[@atheistsince1210]

Absolutely Jaw Dropping ! One of my prized possessions as a very poor and neglected adolescent was an Osprey Men At Arms softcover book The South Wales Borderers at this time the film Zulu Dawn came out on HBO and I back then and still do go apeshit for everything and anything Zulu War. Those displayed Rorkes Drift Victoria Crosses are replicas BECAUSE authentic Victoria Crosses are molded and cast from the cannons from the Crimean War on the Crimean Peninsula. I hope the orginal cannon metal still exists for current and future Victoria Cross heroes I believe the Roarkes Drift engagement is the single most crosses that were ever awarded simultaneously. I don't have to mention that Michael Caine in the Zulu film is the greatest war film ever made ALONG with the greatest movie score ever conducted.

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

I had that same Osprey book and it was a great inspiration to me too.

[@rayjohnsonjohnson4458]

Been there. Didn't spend a lot of time, had to go visit rellies. Your doco flashes past everything too quickly.

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

Thanks for the comments, I'll take note and slow down in future videos.

[@grahamrock3942]

SIR....Just on your Right as you walk through the Gates is the 'Old' Headstone from my Great Grandfathers Grave...JOHN WILLIAM FIELDING V.C.
The replacement now stands proud at the head of John's resting place just inside the gate of St. Michael & All Angels Church...Llantarnam, Nr. Cwmbran.
The ORIGINAL V.C. is now held under secure Lock and Key, with 3 other Victoria Crosses, at Brecon.
I had the privilege of meeting with Zulu King GOODWILL ZWELITHINI on the 21st July 2019, never to be forgotten....Stay safe..G.A.R.

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

Thank you very much for that extra information about your great grandfather!

[@3967742]

Just a point, South Wales Borderers did not fight at Rorkes Drift, It was the B Company of 24th Regt of Foot (2nd Warwickshires). Rorkes Drift took place in 1879 and they weren't amalgamated with the South Wales Borderers until 1881.

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

True, I could have mentioned that.

[@Dylan-vt1or]

The 24th of foot did fight at rawks drift the regiment became the south wales borderers in 1881 as the regiment was based in brecon and recruited in the surrounding area actually mate just a point

[@3967742]

@@Dylan-vt1or That's what I wrote mate.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

I was just about to write the same, then saw your comment. Also, they would have sung 'A Warwickshire Lad' not 'Men of Harlech'.

[@3967742]

@@tooyoungtobeold8756 Exactly, it is Stanley Bakers fault that so many people think it was a Welsh regiment there.

[@militarymad2840]

Looks like a great museum with some amazing items

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

Thanks. Yes, it's well worth a visit!

[@petermostyneccleston2884]

During the first world war, the South Wales Borders were recruiting in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, and other towns, and training soldiers at Kinmel Park, in North Wales. My Taid served in Basra, during the first world war, with the South Wales Borderers, and was living in Colwyn Bay, when he was recruited.
Of course being born in December 1897, he was officially to young to join, but the recruitment officers were paid per man who they signed up, so wrote down 19, if they gave an age that was younger.

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

Thanks for sharing that interesting family history.

[@notwocdivad]

In common with a lot of these museum videos it tried to show to much in a short time which ends up the viewer sees very little such a shame as there seems to be a large and varied collection!!

[@chrisdale-militaryhistory]

Hopefully it's enough to inspire viewers to go and see it themselves. I'm sure you appreciate even a small museum like this would really need a two hour video to see everything clearly.