The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-1918 - Detailed

In this review the focus is on The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-1918, a regiment-level narrative that will appeal to military historians and family researchers alike; the single biggest reason to buy is its comprehensive tracing of all battalions raised during the war and the formal lists of honours and the Roll of Honour. The account is narrative but archival in tone, and it collates battalion movements, battle honours and individual awards that make it a useful reference for anyone studying the SWB in the Great War.

Key Features

• Comprehensive battalion coverage: The book documents the two regular battalions, the Special Reserve and the Territorial Brecknockshire Battalion, plus a further 17 battalions raised during the war, giving readers a clear view of the regiment's expansion and deployment.
• Casualty and honours record: A synthesis of the regiment's human cost and recognition, including the total dead of about 5,500 and the listing of 64 Battle Honours and six Victoria Crosses.
• Honours and awards list: Includes Mention in Despatches and foreign awards, making it useful for researchers tracing decorations and official citations.
• Roll of Honour: Officers are listed alphabetically and other ranks by battalion, aiding genealogical searches and unit-level enquiries.
• Concise battalion summaries: Even battalions that remained in the UK are included, so the record is broader than front-line action alone.

Who It's For

This work is best suited to military history readers who want a regiment-focused study of the South Wales Borderers during the First World War and to family historians seeking specific names in the Roll of Honour or details of battalion organisation. The clear listing of battle honours and awards also serves academics requiring a compact reference to cross-check honours and unit composition.

Readers who want full battlefield narratives or personal memoir-style accounts might prefer unit diaries or soldiers' letters; this book is primarily a concise regimental history with lists and summaries rather than a collection of first-person narratives.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Detailed listing of battalions raised and their roles provides a strong regimental overview for reference use.
• Inclusion of honours, Mention in Despatches and foreign awards makes it a useful compendium for medal researchers.
• Roll of Honour organisation by officers and by battalion for other ranks eases targeted searches for names.

Cons

• Place and date of death are not given in the Roll of Honour, which limits its usefulness for precise biographical research.

Specifications

Title	The History of the South Wales Borderers 1914-1918
Author / Brand	C T Late Captain Atkinson
Time period covered	1914-1918 (First World War)
Units covered	1st and 2nd regulars, 3rd Special Reserve, Brecknockshire Territorial, plus 17 later battalions
Casualties noted	Approximately 5,500 total dead
Battle honours	64 Battle Honours recorded
Gallantry awards	Six Victoria Crosses listed plus mentions and foreign awards

Our Verdict

For readers seeking a concise, regiment-centred reference on the South Wales Borderers in the Great War, this history is good value: it consolidates battalion formations, battle honours and awards into a single volume and includes a practical Roll of Honour. It is particularly valuable to family historians and researchers who need a structured starting point for further archival work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book list individual soldiers?
The Roll of Honour lists officers alphabetically and other ranks alphabetically by battalion, but does not provide place or date of death details.

Are battle honours and awards detailed?
Yes; the text records 64 Battle Honours and lists six Victoria Crosses, plus other mentions and foreign awards.

Does the history cover battalions that did not serve overseas?
Yes; even battalions that remained in the UK are included, ensuring a complete picture of the regiment's wartime organisation.