First World War Centenary Programme

PROGRAMME 2016 Foreword First Minister Carwyn Jones Sir Deian Hopkin, 2015 was again a very active year for the First World First Minister’s Expert Adviser War Centenary Commemoration in Wales, with on the First World War numerous events taking place across the nation. In this third year of centenary commemorations In February I joined schoolchildren from Ysgol y some of the most notable and iconic events Faenol at the fascinating Christmas Truce exhibition associated with the First World War will feature in held at Bodelwyddan Castle. The exhibition was the our programme. 1916 was the year when the scale result of a collaboration between Welsh, German, of the casualties and destruction made its greatest French and Belgian partners, and I was particularly impact, such as the dreadful losses inflicted on the struck by the opportunities it provided for children 38th (Welsh) Division at Mametz Wood in July. to understand the effects of the conflict for all The annual commemoration on the site where sides. Identifying new, creative ways to interpret the David Petersen’s notable memorial is located will period is exemplified by the technology partnership have a special poignancy and significance in 2016, between Cardiff University, St Fagans National and the recent extensive refurbishments to the site History Museum and the Snowdonia National will make access very much easier. The informative Park Authority. The partnership has produced a articles in this brochure also describe other events pioneering 3-D printed copy of the famous bardic associated with Mametz, including performances chair won by Hedd Wyn at the 1917 Birkenhead by Welsh National Opera of a new opera by Iain National Eisteddfod. In August I was privileged Bell based on David Jones’ remarkable memoir of to lead the national service of remembrance at the battle, In Parenthesis. Penmaenmawr for Welshmen lost in the Gallipoli campaign. A touring exhibition is contributing to At the same time, there were major political local community activities in those parts of Wales developments, the ascendancy of David Lloyd where the losses were significant. George on the one hand, and the intensification of the peace movement on the other. As always, As we look forward to 2016, the momentous events our programme seeks to encompass all aspects of the Battle of the Somme will form a central focus of the experience of war and help to deepen for our commemoration. On 7 July the centenary of our understanding of the complexities of this Welsh involvement at the Battle of Mametz Wood, global conflict. For example, following the Easter where so many lost their lives, will be remembered. Rising in Ireland some 1,800 Irish nationalists, I am very grateful to communities and organisations including Michael Collins and other leaders, were for all their hard work in coming together to support imprisoned in a camp at Fron-goch near Bala. This the Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914–1918 ‘university of revolution’ will be the subject of Programme. It is very heartening that excellent commemoration during 2016. projects and events continue to mark this important Finally, on behalf of the Programme Board I want period in the history of our nation. to thank all the organisations and individuals who have contributed to, and continue to participate in, this important series of historic commemorations. © Crown copyright 2016 WG26528 Contents The Welsh at Mametz Wood in July 1916 02 Wales for Peace 14 The attack of the 38th (Welsh) Division on the The Welsh Centre for International Affairs is German positions in Mametz Wood in July 1916, exploring how the impact of war has shaped the second week of the Battle of the Somme, Wales’ contribution to the search for peace – from would cost it some 4,000 casualties. It also led to the First World War Book of Remembrance, an attack on the honour of the division, as Dr movements such as the Urdd, Quakers and Anti Jonathan Hicks relates. Apartheid, through to engagement with peace today and in future generations. Craig Owen offers First World War: Secondary School Grant some questions and answers. Scheme 04 A snapshot of First World War commemorative Ireland’s ‘University of Revolution’ in Wales: projects undertaken by Welsh schools using Fron-goch Internment Camp (1916) 16 £1,000 grants provided by the Welsh Government Professor Paul O’Leary of Aberystwyth University Department for Education and Skills. recounts the story of the Irish republicans interned at Fron-goch Camp, Merionethshire, in 1916. Remembering the First World War at the National Library of Wales 06 Conserving our war memorials 18 An exciting series of exhibitions at the National Local war memorials have an important role to Library of Wales will focus on memory, play in the commemoration of the First World War commemoration and the representation of war in and in recognition of that, the Welsh Government art and literature. Historic Environment Service (Cadw)’s grant scheme and conservation guidance are helping to Women in Wales in 1916 08 maintain them for the long term. For women 1916 was the year when wearing trousers became normal, at least in some situations. The First World War Centenary Partnership Although women and girls were already working and 1914.org 20 on the land and in munitions, during 1916 their The First World War Centenary Partnership is numbers grew enormously. an Imperial War Museums led initiative for all not-for-profit organisations that are marking the In Parenthesis 10 anniversary of the First World War (2014–2018). To celebrate its seventieth birthday and to commemorate the First World War, Welsh National Sources of Funding 22 Opera is performing a world première in 2016, based First World War Centenary Project. on an extraordinary artistic testament to the bloody experience of the trenches, as Jon Gower explains. Events 24 Events listings for 2016. Recruitment, Remembrance, Recovery 12 This year Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum The Welsh at Mametz Wood 1916: Wales has an exciting programme of exhibitions, The National Service of Remembrance 32 events and activities exploring the experience of July 2016 will mark the centenary of the Battle living through war and the impact it had on the of the Somme which began on 1 July and lasted lives of ordinary people across the country, as until 18 November 1916. Phil Davies details the Emma Routley explains. commemorative events of July. (front cover) Llys Ceimiad: La Bassée Front 1916 © By kind permission of the David Jones Estate. Image provided by the National Library of Wales. (above) Sketch of a tank drawn by David Jones during his time on the Western Front. By kind permission of the David Jones Estate ‘HELL CANNOT BE MUCH WORSE’ The Welsh at Mametz Wood in July 1916 The attack of the 38th (Welsh) Division on the German positions in Mametz Wood in July 1916, the second week of the Battle of the Somme, would cost it some 4,000 casualties. It also led to an attack on the honour of the division, as Dr Jonathan Hicks relates. (above) Man of a working-party attending to a war grave, near Mametz Wood. August 1916. © IWM Q4095 The 38th (Welsh) Division was week of December 1915. It was Mametz Wood was, and still is, formed in December 1914 under the start of active service that the largest wood on the Somme, the leadership of Major-General was to see the Division involved covering an area of over 200 acres. Ivor Philipps. New battalions of in some of the fiercest fighting The Germans were able to bring the Welsh Regiment, the Royal on the Western Front. flanking fire to bear on any approach Welsh Fusiliers and the South Wales Following the early fighting on to the wood from Flatiron and Borderers were recruited from the Somme the British Army Sabot Copses to the east. Further, the cities of Cardiff and Swansea, had pressed the Germans back the German second line was 300 from the Rhondda, Caernarfon, beyond the village of Mametz yards beyond the northern edge of Anglesey, Carmarthenshire and and were facing them across the the wood and could be reinforced Gwent, as well as from London shallow valley to the south of easily. Amongst the German units and north Wales. They eventually Mametz Wood. facing the Welshmen was the Lehr departed for France during the first Regiment of the Prussian Guard. 2 1 0 1 Kilometres The attack was planned for 8.30am the thousands 130 150 on the morning of 7 July and, of men in the Bazentin -le-Petit even though the planned smoke- wood becoming screen did not appear, the 11th increasingly Villa Wood 140 Middle South Wales Borderers (SWB) difficult. German Wood Bazentin-le-Petit and 16th Welsh Regiment (Welsh) reinforcements Wood Pearl Lower Wood Wood Circus Trench rose to their task as soon as the flooded in and Pearl Alley Holmes Redoubt Flatiron Trench artillery stopped and immediately this created 130 Vaughans Redoubt came under fire from the German havoc for a Bazentin- Contalmaison le-Grand Wood machine guns. Casualties mounted while amongst 120 Acid Drop Bells Sabot Copse Copse and the attack petered out some the attacking Redoubt Pearl Alley Mametz The Quadrangle Support Wood Snout 110 250 yards short of the wood. Welshmen, Flatiron Copse Marlboro Trench 130 but by about 120 Wood Support Trench The attack had cost 400 casualties. 2.40pm the 10th 110 Philipps was removed, command SWB were able 100 of the division passing to Major- Quadrangle Alley 100 Quadrangle Trench Wood Trench to get patrols 90 General Watts who immediately set Marlboro Wood out to the Quadrangle about organising another attack. Bottom Alley Wood Strip Trench northern edge.

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