PICTURE of the day: St Davids Day on the front line

Just over two weeks ago the 1 Batallion The Royal Welsh were involved in the largest assault in Helmand since 2001.

But even though the men of B Company, 1 R Welsh are on the front line they still make every effort to celebrate St Davids Day.

For over 300 years the regiments that have come to make up the Royal Welsh have, where ever they are in the world, celebrated this very special day.


To mark the day the soldiers had a lamb stew delivered by one of the routine helicopter flights to the patrol base in the heart in Nad e-Ali. It made a very welcome change from the usual rations.


The officers and SNCO's serve the food to the rest of the company.


Major Ed Hill talks to the soldiers and guests and reads out a number of messages including one from the Queen.


Before the ceremony of the leek takes place the pieces of leek and the 'loving cup' are paraded round the table. The leek is eaten by guests and select memembers of the company.


Rugby, the finest game in the world. The soldiers staged a seven a side competition and while the company provided a handful of teams the French soldiers who work alongside the R WELSH, the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police at the patrol base gave the Welsh teams a run for their money but the Welsh won the competition this time.


Picture credit: Major Paul Smyth

PICTURE of the day: Gunfire on St Davids Day in Camp Bastion

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh start off St Davids Day in Afghanistan with one of many traditions. The officers and senior non-commissioned officers wake up and serve a cup a ‘Gunfire’ to all the soldiers in the battalion.

Senior non-commissioned officers preparing the traditional 'Gunfire' at Camp Bastion in Helmand.

Sergeant Kevin Sharley (right) from Wrexham wakes up Corporal Justin Barrett from Caernarfon and serves him a cup of 'Gunfire'.

Gunfire is a cup of tea with a tot of rum. However, for the troops while serving on operations alcohol is not permitted. Even though there is no rum it is still a cup of ‘Gunfire’.

Where ever they are in the world, St Davids Day is a national celebration. And even though the soldiers are serving on operations in Helmand they take the time to observe the regiments traditions.

St David's Day was declared a national day of celebration in Wales in the 18th century.

Pictures: Maj Paul Smyth