Their title and traditions will be kept in the battalion title. As a regiment they are senior (23rd of the Line) to their new partners, the Royal Regiment of Wales (24th / 41st), so I presume they will become the 1st (Royal Welch Fusiliers) Bn, Royal Welsh.

I presume also that the battalion will attempt to keep as many RWF traditions, including the hackle, and the flash.

The only saving to the Treasury I can see from this amalgamation is that the regiment need use only one goat (as a mascot !!!) instead of two.

The Welsh Guards (and indeed the entire Guards Division) are not affected by the reorganisation.

The Army's reasoning behind these various mergers is to reduce the number of occasions on which regiments have to be re-roled, and hence withdrawn for extensive re-equipment and reorganisation. Instead, officers and men can be "trickle-posted" between the battalions. Re-roling will now need to take place only half as often as before.

This is in effect returning to the days immediately after the "Cardwell" reforms of 1870, when regiments had two regular battalions, one for Home service and the other for Overseas service, although because of slower transportation in those days, the battalions would exchange places every five years or so, rather than post personnel between the two battalions.

There was usually also a 3rd (Reserve) and 4th (Volunteer) battalion. From 2004, the TA will probably provide a 3rd (Volunteer) Bn, Royal Welsh, but there is unlikely to be a 4th TA battalion. I don't know what traditions the 3rd Battalion will keep, adopt or invent. Just so long as they keep "Detroit" as a battle honour !