War Memorial at SS Cynidr & Mary Church

Cadw's description

Location

Set within the E boundary of the churchyard of the Church of St Cynidr and St Mary. Raised above the level of the road.

History

Erected 25 July 1920 to commemorate those from the parish who were killed in WWI. The names of those killed in WWII were later added to the rear face of the memorial.

One of those recorded is Henry ‘Harry’ Williams who served with the 18th (2nd Glamorgan) Battalion of the Welch Regiment. The 18th was a Bantam unit, comprising men under regulation height and was part of 119 Brigade of the 40th Division. He was killed aged 24 on 23 November 1917, possibly at the capture of Bourlon Wood during the Battle of Cambrai. In the battle on 23 November the Welsh units of the 119 Brigade are credited with crossing a wide expanse of no-man’s land under heavy shell fire and after three hours had crossed the enemy lines and occupied the northern and eastern ridges around Bourlon Wood. With other units added to the battle over the next few days the German troops were finally driven out of the wood. He is also recorded at the Cambrai Memorial in Louveral France. Harry was the son of Henry and Hannah Williams of Laurel Cottage, Llangynidr (listed 20360).

Exterior

War memorial, stone Celtic wheel cross set on tapered 4-sided shaft and rusticated tapered plinth stone with flat inscription panels.

Gold painted lettering. E (facing road) ‘GWELL ANGEU NA CHYWILYDD’ at top of shaft, ‘IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918’ at base, below on plinth ‘DISPATCH RIDER F. POWELL JONES SEPT. 26TH 1914. PTE. WILLIAM V. LLOYD NOVR. 5TH 1914. LANCE CORP. REGINALD W. WILLIAMS JUNE 4TH 1915. CAPT. P. POWELL JONES APRIL 21ST 1916. “THE SOULS OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN HIS HANDS”’. Below ‘ERECTED BY THE INHABITANTS OF LLANGYNIDR.’

On N side ‘PTE. JOHN DAVIES JANY. 25TH 1917. LANCE CORP. ALBERT L. JENKINS MAY 4TH 1917. PTE. WILLIAM C. BEVAN JULY 12TH 1917. PTE. ALFRED J FARP JULY 26TH 1917. CAPT. W. JONES EVANS SEPT. 13TH 1917’. On s side ‘PTE HARRY WILLIAMS NOVR. 23RD 1917. GUNR. THOMAS S. RICHARDS MARCH 14TH 1918. PTE. WILLIAM J POWELL AUGUST 28TH 1918. PTE DAVID HARRIS SEPT. 10TH 1918. PTE HARRY HARRIS OCTR. 24TH 1918’ and ‘PTE ALFRED JAMES LOVETT APRIL 12TH 1919’.

On W side (rear) ‘1939-1945’ and ‘GUNR. JAMES WILLIAM BAUCH R.A., PTE WILLIAM POWELL DAVIES C.S.C., CORPL. EMLYN CHARLES HURLOW K.S.L.I., SGT. DANIEL IVAN PARRY R.A.F.V.R., A.L.SEAN. FREDERICK J.W.KYTE H.M.S. REPULSE, PTE. JOHN SULLIVAN S.W.B.’

Square base. Paved surround with low kerbing. Low gateposts in churchyard wall with wrought iron gates. Single step.

Reason for designation

Included for its special architectural interest as a well preserved war memorial displaying fine craftsmanship and use of materials. Important for its historical value as a visible reminder of the sacrifice of a community during the major wars of the C20.