PeopleOf CwmammanCwmamman's Fallen Heroes |
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The Memorial Stone at Garnant where the Remembrance Services take place
Cwmamman was once a thriving industrial village, with the heavy industries of the tinplate works and collieries providing the great majority of employment for the workmen of the Amman Valley. The tinplate works were dangerous places and the perils of working underground are widely acknowledged. The risk to life through accidents at collieries was sadly accepted by the workmen as part of everyday life. Put simply; when you went to work underground, there was no guarantee that you would be coming home again. The industry had it's share of heroes, such as Thomas Thomas who was decorated with the George Cross for his exceptional courage. There are many examples of miners putting their own lives at risk in an attempt to save their colleagues when things went wrong.
What is not widely known in the locality today, is that the villages of Garnant and Glanamman lost 64 of its sons in military action: 44 during the First World War, known commonly as the Great War; 19 during the Second World War and 1 in 1955, who was shot by accident when returning from patrol in Malaya.
Armistice day; the 11th of November 1918 meant the end of hostilities between the Allied Forces and Germany, but the Great War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on the 28th of June 1919. The Amman Valley Chronicle referred to the event as "the most historic occasion in the history of the whole world".
After
the Great War had ended and the soldiers were "Demobilised", local celebrations
included a Memorial Service which was held on Sunday the 13th of July, 1919. This
was organised by Mr John A. Bracey, manager of the Amman Tinplate Works at Garnant.
He was also responsible for compiling a list of names for the Cwmamman
Roll of Honour.
A procession consisting of the Police, members of the
Cwmamman Urban District Council, the local branch of the Discharged Sailors and
Soldiers, the V.A.D.'s and members of the local Ambulance Class were headed by
the Cwmamman Silver Band. These lined up at Glanamman Square at 1:45 pm and marched
through Cwmamman as far as the Lamb Shop before returning to the road which lead
to the park. There the Memorial Service was held and the hymns and prayers in
English and Welsh were led by the Vicar of Cwmamman and various nonconformist
Ministers, including those from Bethesda and Brynseion Chapels. There followed
an address by the Chairman of the Cwmamman Urban District Council, Mr Arthur Williams
of the Gelly. He emphasised the need for sympathy towards the bereaved and the
suffering and urged the people to remember the widows and orphans. The Cwmamman
Roll of Honour was then read to the 4,000 people present at the service.
"Peace Day" was celebrated across Britain on Saturday the 19th of July 1919, with Cwmamman enjoying it's share of festivities. Flags and bunting abounded the streets and thanksgiving services were held at the local churches and chapels. At the local schools, 2,240 children were presented with Cwmamman Peace Commemoration Medals, given by Mr Arthur Williams of the Gelly. More medals were to be ordered and presented at a later date to meet the shortfall.
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The Cwmamman peace medals were silver coloured and may have been made from Britannia metal. They were approximately 1¼ inches (33 mm) in diameter.
At 1:30 pm, a procession of Police, the U.D. Council, Cwmamman Silver Band and the war veterans gathered at Glanamman Square and marched as far as the Raven Colliery before heading back towards the park. Over 2,000 children lined the steets waving small flags and these were later given a tea at their respective schools, which had also been decorated for the occasion. The cost of the childrens' tea was met by Mr and Mrs Folland of Glanamman. At the park, speeches were given by various councillors, and the festivities continued with various childrens races and a pillow fight. In the evening, there were fireworks and a dance which lasted until late. Over 5,000 people were present at the park to celebrate Peace Day.
Christchurch at Garnant and Brynseion Chapel at Glanamman both contain names of those lost in action. Until recently, those remembered at the Remembrance Sunday services, were only a few of the actual number of men who lost their lives in the terrible Hell of battle during the two world wars. The Memorial Stone at Parc Golwg yr Amman currently has no names listed upon it.
Top Plaque on Cwmamman Cenotaph
Bottom Plaque on Cwmamman Cenotaph
Twenty years of research by Nevin Anthony of Garnant, himself a formerWelch Fusilier, has resulted in the compilation of a comprehensive list of names and details of the men, two of whom were postumously awarded the Military Medal.
The first deceased solder to receive
the Military Medal was (12094) Sergeant John William Crump. He served at "Y"
Company; 4th Battalion of the Worcester Regiment during the first world war. He
was killed in action at Flanders on the 16th of August, 1917. He was only 23 years
old.
Sergeant Crump was the son of John and Ada Crump of Woodland Villa, Twyn,
Garnant. Adding to the pain of those who felt his loss, is the fact that his body
was never found. As he has no grave, he is remembered at Tyne Cot Memorial To
The Missing, at Ypres, Belgium.
The second posthumously awarded
Military Medal was awarded to (1236378) Lance Corporal Hermas Llewelyn who served
at 275 Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He was killed in action at Egypt
on the 15th of February, 1943. He was aged 29 and involved in mine disposal.
Lance Corporal Llewelyn was the son of John and Martha Llewelyn of Bishop Road,
Garnant. He is buried at the Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya.
There were other heroes who did not die in battle, but earned medals for their courageous actions. One such local hero was Henry Parker of Ceidrim Villas, Glanamman. Whilst at Happencourt in France, on the 21st of October 1918, armed with a Lewis gun, he held back the enemy from a distance of 100 yards (metres), as they emerged from a sunken road. While holding off the enemy in order for his company to withdraw, Henry Parker was severely wounded. He was later awarded the Military Medal.
Terrible events such as war inevitably create circumstances where ordinary people do extraordinary things, sometimes paying the highest price for the sake of their fellow men and women. It is fitting that these acts are recognised and recorded. It is also of utmost importance that those who did not get medals are also remembered within their community; especially those who never came home.
At 11am on the 11th of November each year, the people of the British Isles; some gathered around Cenotaphs, others going about their daily lives, share two minutes of silence. The intention is that we ponder upon those sons, fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews and cousins who had their lives taken from them through violence caused by governments and despots, in order that we may go about our daily business and raise our children without fear of oppression. Names may be read out in services, but the personalities behind the names remain anonymous to those who never knew them; as does the now invisible grief of those families who lost those they loved in past conflicts. We should also remember todays servicemen and women and the dangers they face daily.
This year (2008), saw the 84th annual general meeting of the Garnant branch of the Royal British Legion, which was established in 1924. The occasion saw the election of Nevin Anthony as President. All of the branch members were united in acknowledging the contribution made by former President, Colonel Tony Rogers.
2008 marks the 90th anniversary of Armistice day, when the Great War came to an end. The Cwmamman Remembrance Service was held at the Memorial Stone at Garnant's Golwg yr Aman Park, on Sunday the 9th of November at 10:45am. Amongst those who gathered together in the wind and the rain were representatives of the Garnant Branch of the British Legion and children from the local Brownies. After the laying of the wreaths, there then followed a parade from the stone to Christchurch Garnant, where the service continued. The minister who conducted the service was the Rev. John Thomas, a former R.A.F. serviceman who served during the 2nd world war and who is also an ex Royal Chaplain.
Thanks to Nevin Anthony of Garnant for much of the information on this page. Please visit the Garnant Branch of the Royal British Legion website, (Webmaster: John Barker).