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To all today I wish a Happy Saint David's Day to the Welch, and to all Royal Welch Fusiliers both past and present!
1st March 1775; This being St. David's Day the officers of the 23rd Regiment, or Royal Welch Fusiliers, dinned together according to the custom. All the General & Staff Officers, the Admiral, and several other person's were invited to dine with the Regiment...."
From the diary of Lieutenant Frederick MacKenzie.
The "custom" was on each Saint Daivid's Day following dinner the regimental goat with the drummers and fifers are led around the mess table. The drum major has a silver plate with raw leeks and the mess sergeant carries a loving cup filled with champagne. They halt by the newest joined officer who then stands on his chair with his left foot and places his right foot on the table and eats a leek while the drummers play a continuous roll. Once he has consumed the leek he is handed the loving cup and before drinking toasts "And Saint David!" All present who have not eaten a leek, including guests are expected to do so. Similar ceremonies occurs in the sergeants and the other ranks mess. This custom, described as "ancient" in 1775 is still observed in peace and during war time up to the present time.
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| Reenactment of Battle of White Plains 1976 with your humble blogger in the ranks of the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers. |
Fascinating slice of history, but the thought of eating a raw leek (hopefully a small one) is hard to contemplate. Nice photo from 1976 too:).
ReplyDeleteLeeks are big, at least they're not as strong as an onion or it could get messy!!
ReplyDelete