Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier

Firing Line occupies the lower floor of the interpretation centre at Cardiff Castle. It brings together the collections of two regiments: the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh. Both collections had previously been housed elsewhere, the Dragoon Guards at Bowness-on-Windermere and the Welch Regiment in the Black and Barbican Towers of the castle. In 2010 the two museums merged under one roof at Cardiff Castle. The new display covers the history of both units. The museum’s displays commemorate the culture and ethos of the regiments. It highlights the stories of ordinary soldiers who performed extraordinary acts while on duty. Visitors can see uniforms, medals, weapons and personal letters that tell these individual tales. Photographs and documents add context to the objects on display. The exhibits aim to celebrate the contribution of Welsh soldiers across different periods. On entering, visitors find a series of themed rooms arranged chronologically. The galleries guide them from the earliest campaigns to more recent operations. Large photographs line the walls alongside cases of uniforms and equipment. Labels explain each item’s significance in clear, straightforward language. The final section looks ahead to the future of the regiments. Outside, the castle grounds remain open for walks around the walls and towers.