"St. David's Day March 1, 1775" Topic

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.

One has to have eaten a raw leek in its entirety to understand the full import of this custom.

Fortunately they do come in a range of sizes, although there is little incentive to make the task of eating the leek an easy one. Look you.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus.

Cymru am Byth!

A bit chewy but not very strong – although it was only the size of a saveloy after I'd stripped off the dried up outer layers – is that allowed?

You sure can learn a lot reading posts here on The Miniatures Page.

Yachid da!!

Fortunately they do come in a range of sizes

It is my understanding that the largest of them go to the most junior officers in the mess, with the size decreasing as the rank of the officer increases.

Still, Happy St David's Day to the Best Regiment in the Army*!

*by their own admission

My St. David's flag is flying! Gwillam ap Gwillam