A ROYAL Welsh Sergeant, who grew up in Birmingham, but fell in love with Wales on childhood visits to Machynlleth, has reflected on finding a home in the Royal Welsh, and his pride in representing the Regiment.

28-year old Sergeant Lucas Watts, of B (Rorke’s Drift) Company of the Tidworth based 1st Battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment, is a Platoon Sergeant, leading a platoon who operate on the battlefield in Warrior armoured fighting vehicles, who credits excelling in his career to the culture and values of being a Welsh Warrior.

Growing up in Birmingham, he freely admits that as a youngster he was getting into trouble and ‘living a life I shouldn’t have been’.

But he spent time living with his grandmother in Machynlleth, which he says changed his perspective. He now has a young family and a successful career he loves, linked to the experiences and the welcome he received as a young man in rural Wales.

Having enjoyed the Cadets he joined the Army at 17, and had no doubt about which part of it he wanted to join. He joined the Royal Welsh in 2010 and has deployed all over the world. On Operations in Afghanistan twice, on training exercise in Kenya, Canada and India, and representing the regiment at the Battlefield of Rorke’s Drift.

Every year a young Officer is sent to the 1879 Battlefield, made famous in the epic 1964 film ZULU, to pay their respects to those who fell, and to lead tourists around the battlefield, ensuring that the Regiment remains connected to the site of its most illustrious battle honour. Sgt Watts was the first Soldier, as opposed to Officer, to represent the regiment in this way. Testament to his deep investment in the regiments history and traditions, and a mark of the trust in him to act as the regimental custodian of this story.

Sgt Watts swapped training for war and regimental history for supporting the NHS in 2020, being pulled back from training in Germany in March due to the virus. After a short period dispersed to their homes at the start of the pandemic he and his troops were called in and launched into the effort to provide Mobile Covid-19 Testing Units.

He commanded his team for six Weeks working across the Cotswolds, and lived with them, cut off from their families, isolating together in dormitory accommodation at South Cerney.

He credits his wife, Jamie Lee, for providing the vital support which has enabled him to have such a fulfilling career. They live in Tidworth with children Gracie, eight, Louie, six, and Tommie, two.

Sgt Lucas, who as instructed trainee infantry soldiers as a Corporal, is due to return later this year as a Sergeant instructor. And he aspires after that to go to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an instructor, training future army officer in one of the most competitive, demanding and rewarding jobs for a Colour Sergeant in the British Army.

He said: “I joined the Army for some structure, to feel like I had an effect on something, a purpose, camaraderie and opportunities.”

“Having grown up in a big city I loved moving to rural Wales, feeling free and unrestricted. When it came to choosing a regiment it was easy. I was living in Wales, I liked their Regimental history, and I had completely fallen in love with Welsh people and culture.”

“I am very glad I chose a welsh regiment, for the camaraderie, and the Regimental history. To be a platoon Sgt in B (Rorke’s Drift) Company is incredible. I joined the best Welsh Regiment too; the Welsh Guards as a Regiment only have one Victoria Cross; my company has 11.”

“My next job is going back to Catterick as a Sergeant. I am looking forward to it. In the future I would like to be an instructor at Sandhurst. Developing potential officers as well as developing myself. I think developing good young officers is important, so they can use my experiences, positive and negative, to learn their trade. You’d be training people who are the future of the Army.”

“I really like teaching, It’s the most rewarding thing you can do, seeing someone learn something and action it.”

“With Covid, initially I enjoyed being at home, because it gave me some real quality time with my family. We did some virtual learning, but it was good for the boys to get some rest."

He added: "But the boys loved the Mobile Testing Unit tasking, it was structured, self-contained, and we were really working as a team, giving something towards the fight against Covid.

"It was a great chance to bond and a really worthwhile task.”