CYMRU’N COFIO WALES REMEMBERS PROGRAMME 2017 1914 - 1918

1 Foreword

First Minister Carwyn Jones Sir Deian Hopkin, In 2016, we commemorated one of the most tragic First Minister’s Expert Adviser and long-lasting battles of the First World War. on the First World War The Battle of the Somme raged for 141 days and There will be much to commemorate in the centenary robbed Wales of many young men. of 1917: David Lloyd George’s first full year as Prime I was moved by the commemoration services I Minister, the epoch-making Russian Revolutions of attended in Wales and France in July and would February and October, the remarkable campaigns in like to thank everyone involved in the organisation, the Middle East leading to the transformation of that especially the Mayor and citizens of Mametz for region, the decision by the United States to declare their unstinting support. war on Germany and the death of Hedd Wyn, Wales’ most iconic poet, during the bloody campaign of Many other events and activities took place in Passchendaele in Flanders. It was also a year when 2016, organised by a range of organisations. From conscientious objection to conscription increased, the premiere of the opera ‘In Parenthesis’, to the against a background of industrial and political poignant poppies display at Caernarfon Castle and tension, with the war seemingly never-ending. the interpretation of the role of Fron-goch in Irish and Welsh history, we commemorated a turbulent A major focus in 2017 will be 31 July, the first day time in our past. of the Third Battle of Ypres when Hedd Wyn, and coincidentally Ireland’s poet, Francis Ledwidge, both In 2017, our focus will move to Flanders and died at Pilckem Ridge. Commemorative events will be Passchendaele, with commemorative activities held in Langemark-Poelkapelle, Flanders, where the highlighting the loss of writers such as Hedd Wyn, memory of Hedd Wyn is kept vividly alive and where one of our best known poets. A service at the the national Welsh memorial dedicated in August National Memorial at Langemark in July 2017 to 2014 is located. Additional features to the memorial remember his death and that of other Welshmen will will be unveiled, and there will be other events over be followed by the re-opening of Hedd Wyn’s family several days. home Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd as a museum of the First World War. It is proposed that in 2017 closer relationships will be announced between Wales and Flanders and In the midst of a terrible conflict, there were some, a programme of events is being planned in both be it through conscience, faith or political stance, countries on a political and cultural level. Three who did not take up arms. In 2016 the Wales for years into the period of commemoration, an Peace project developed a touring exhibition, which appreciation of the First World War and its impact will be seen across Wales in 2017. continues to grow, largely owing to the sustained I continue to be grateful to those who work tirelessly efforts of organisers, planners, creative artists and to remember, commemorate and teach us about the community groups across Wales who are making an cost of war. invaluable contribution to the creation of an enduring educational legacy.

© Crown copyright 2017 WG29677 Contents

Poppies: Weeping Window... 02 Welsh Poetry of the First World War 12 A cascade comprising several thousand handmade Professor Gerwyn Wiliams and Professor ceramic poppies pouring from the castle ramparts Daniel Williams discuss the lives and works to the ground below. The breathtaking sculpture, of four of Wales’ most prominent Welsh and by artist Paul Cummins MBE and designer Tom English language poets of the First World War. Piper MBE, was displayed at Caernarfon Castle from 11 October to 20 November 2016, specially The Police of South Wales and the 14 presented by Cadw and 14–18 NOW to mark First World War the centenary of the First World War. Gareth Madge recounts the First World War stories of some of the many policemen who Keeping the Door Open: served from the police forces that would later developing Yr Ysgwrn 04 amalgamate to form South Wales Police. Naomi Jones discusses the significance of Hedd Wyn and his ancestral home, Yr Ysgwrn, and Welsh Rugby and the First World War 16 details the redevelopment work taking place at Gwyn Prescott recounts the stories of three Yr Ysgwrn to create interpretation on five themes, of the thirteen known Welsh rugby internationals namely Hedd Wyn and his poetry; the effects who died on active service in the First World War. of the First World War; agricultural Heritage; Welsh language culture; and the social history Wales for Peace 18 of the turn of the twentieth century. In the hundred years since the First World War, how has Wales contributed to the search for Keeping the Memory Alive: remembering peace? The ‘Wales for Peace’ project explores the First World War at the National Library how the horrors of the First World War inspired of Wales 06 ex-combatants and peacemakers alike to work Rhian James gives a preview of the National together towards building a better world – Library of Wales’ events and activities to with poignant lessons for Wales’ role in the remember the First World War in 2017. world today.

Dark Clouds and Hope: remembering First World War: Secondary School 20 the War at Amgueddfa Cymru–National Grant Scheme Museum Wales 08 A snapshot of First World War commemorative This year Amgueddfa Cymru– National Museum projects undertaken by Welsh schools using Wales has an exciting programme of exhibitions, £1,000 grants provided by the Welsh Government activities and events commemorating the Battle Department for Education and Skills. of Passchendaele, revealing museum staff stories during the period and exploring the impact that Sources of Funding 22 the war had on the lives of ordinary people across First World War Centenary Projects. the country. Events 24 Wales and the Russian Revolutions 10 Events listing for 2017. Professor Sir Deian Hopkin discusses the Russian revolutions of 1917, the reaction in Wales, and the role of Welsh soldiers in the military intervention (front cover) Map of the Third Battle of Ypres, courtesy of the Department of History, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. in Russia. (above) Panoramic view of the ruins of Ypres, 1 October 1917. © IWM (Q 3219) 1 Poppies: Weeping Window By Paul Cummins MBE, Artist and Tom Piper MBE, Designer

Weeping Window from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ – poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins MBE and installation designed by Tom Piper MBE – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces, originally at HM Tower of London 2014. Caernarfon Castle... an iconic to 20 November 2016, specially Initially conceived as one of the key symbol of strength, military presented by Cadw and 14–18 dramatic sculptural elements in the rule, the struggle for cultural and NOW to mark the centenary of installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and national identity, heritage and the First World War. Seas of Red’, they were visited by the search for peace. The Royal an estimated 5 million people at the Welch Fusiliers Museum within Tower of London in the autumn of the castle walls tells the story of 2014. Caernarfon Castle has been Wales’ oldest and largest regiment the first venue in Wales to host through war and peace, and brings the sculptures as part of the UK to life soldiers’ stories from past to ‘Poppies Tour’. present – such as First World War An extensive programme poets Hedd Wyn, Siegfried Sassoon of volunteering, community and David Jones, and the story engagement and learning activities of the ‘Unknown Warrior’ (the was delivered through the WCIA’s memorial in Westminster Abbey, ‘Wales for Peace’ Project, as a cast by Caernarfon’s Brunswick springboard towards Anglesey’s Ironworks). 2017 centenary of Hedd Wyn and Poppies: Weeping Window... the ‘Eisteddfod of the Black Chair’. A cascade comprising several And Caernarfonshire MP David thousand handmade ceramic Lloyd George, as Prime Minister poppies pouring from the castle from 1916 to 1922, is widely ramparts to the ground below. The credited with ending the conflict breathtaking sculpture, by artist Poppies: Weeping Window was launched at Caernarfon and shaping the Paris Peace talks. Castle by Artist Paul Cummins MBE and Designer Tom Piper MBE, with Gerald Williams, nephew of Paul Cummins MBE and designer Welsh war poet Hedd Wyn planting the last poppy His childhood home and legacy can (top) accompanied by Skills Minister Julie James and Tom Piper MBE, was displayed at Chairman of 14-18 NOW Vikki Heywood (above). be explored in Gwynedd’s Lloyd Caernarfon Castle from 11 October Images © Welsh Centre for International Affairs George Museum in Llanystumdwy. 2 Remembrance. The Poppies offered a natural focal point for Wales’ commemorations 131,867 visitors surrounding Remembrance over 6 weeks Day 2016 on 11 November – led by the First Minister - and 49 volunteers gave the centenary of the end of the 1,400 hours of time Battle of the Somme on 18th November.

Learning from Wales and Mobilising the Gwynedd Community Worldwide 49 local community volunteers 131,867 people travelled to were trained and put in over 1,400 Caernarfon Castle from as far hours supporting visitors and afield as New South Wales – and community activities, supported Welsh war poet Hedd Wyn (Ellis Humphrey Evans) grew up in the Gwynedd community of Trawsfynydd. many from the local community. by Wales for Peace and Gwynedd Conscripted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1916, he was killed in action in Passchendaele in July 1917 – days after ‘Remembering for Peace’ site Museums. A display in Oriel penning his iconic poem ‘Yr Arwr’ (The Hero). When this won at the coveted National Eisteddfod in Birkenhead, tours and Poppy Crafts sessions Pendeitsh brought together local his prize chair was draped in black cloth. The centenary of Eisteddfod y Gadair Ddu – the ‘Black Chair’ – will enabled hundreds to learn about schools’ responses to the poppies be marked in August 2017 in Anglesey, and Hedd Wyn’s home Yr Ysgwrn will be reopened in 2017 as a visitor in art, alongside youth messages of attraction and education centre in the poet’s memory. the impact of WW1 on Wales, and perspectives on conflict Peace & Goodwill and stories of past and present. Many schools Caernarfon’s own contribution to Remembering the Fallen worked with 14-18 NOW and the search for peace in the aftermath After viewing the Weeping Window Wales for Peace to develop of conflicts from WW1 to today. Peace Trail’, sculpture, visitors could discover innovative learning and skills A ‘ which was soldiers’ stories through the projects inspired by the poppies, developed to enable visitors Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, such as digital storytelling, poetry to explore Caernarfon Town view the Welsh Book of workshops, arts and crafts and and discover more about local Remembrance from WCIA along historical research. Young people community heritage, will be an with the ‘Faces of the Fusiliers’ organised a WW1 Schools ongoing legacy for learning and photographic display. A reflection Conference early in the Poppies tourism long after the Poppies space gathered many thousands of programme, and a Peace Heroes have moved on to new locations – Senedd in Cardiff messages and tributes, and 11,000 Awards at the end, as part of including the from 5 August – 25 September red poppies were planted by the their Welsh Baccalaureate studies. 2017. public in the Castle’s Garden of

(below right) Welsh Book of Remembrance. Both images © Welsh Centre for International Affairs

“What the Olympics was to London, the Poppies have been to Caernarfon… Moving, beautiful, a source of pride and inspiration to a generation.” Fiona Owens, Llanfairfechan 3 Keeping the Door Open: developing Yr Ysgwrn

“Keeping the door open, that’s what I’ve been doing all my life,” says Gerald Williams, nephew of Hedd Wyn and former owner and keeper of Yr Ysgwrn.

Yr Ysgwrn. © SNPA Hedd Wyn. By kind permission of SNPA

And that was the mantle assumed 1917, and proclaimed winner of Hedd Wyn won to the 26 layers of by the Snowdonia National Park the National Eisteddfod chair five wallpaper discovered in the kitchen. Authority when Yr Ysgwrn was weeks later. We decided that the aim of our bought for the nation in 2012. The chair was draped in black cloth interpretation would be to reveal these A year later a Heritage Lottery and has been known ever since as layers and give voice to the stories. Fund development grant enabled ‘The Black Chair’. The Black Chair, As a result, interpretation is light the Authority to draw up detailed Yr Ysgwrn and Hedd Wyn himself and aims to allow buildings, artefacts plans for the house. A design team are seen as symbols of the loss and characters to tell their own tale. was appointed, led by conservation of almost forty thousand Welsh Interpretation at Yr Ysgwrn focuses architects Purcell UK, and in June people during the First World War, on five themes, namely Hedd Wyn 2014 the Heritage Lottery Fund and are expressive of the grief of and his poetry, the effects of the granted £2.8 million to implement their families, and of empty chairs First World War, agricultural heritage, the scheme. The project, which in homes throughout Wales. Welsh-language culture and the social costs £3.4 million, embraces history of the turn of the twentieth conservation work, building, Over the years, thousands of century. landscaping, activities and outreach, pilgrims have visited Yr Ysgwrn to pay homage to Hedd Wyn, to Yr Ysgwrn itself is a grade II* listed and the aim is to re-open the site building and a number of traditional to the public in the spring of 2017. meet his family and to see the fine collection of bardic chairs he won agricultural buildings stand within the curtilage of the farmhouse, including Hedd Wyn’s home between 1907 and 1915. But how should we safeguard and develop Beudy Tyˆ and Tyˆ Bach (the pigsty). The story of the poet, Ellis Preserving and improving the fabric Humphrey Evans, better known by a site which is so important in the nation’s memory? and character of these buildings is his bardic name Hedd Wyn, is part central to the development, including of the legend of modern Wales. The buildings of Yr Ysgwrn renewing the slate roof and chimney He was killed on the first day of contain layers of history, from of Tyˆ Bach, treating problems of the battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31 July the story of the six bardic chairs dampness in the farmhouse, and 4 Keeping the Door Open: developing Yr Ysgwrn

Yr Ysgwrn. © SNPA Yr Ysgwrn’s iconic kitchen. © SNPA Yr Ysgwrn’s new grass-roofed agricultural shed. © SNPA

repairing Beudy Tyˆ. Although A little outside the historic core they move on to the rest of the conservation of the historic is Beudy Llwyd, a traditional site. Opposite Beudy Llwyd there buildings is central to the project, agricultural building which will in will be a car park concealed in the the development must be viable future be the welcome building, landscape and three trails leading and sustainable and some elements home to a gallery, education room, visitors around the scenery which are strikingly modern. In future, shop, cafe and reception. Here inspired Hedd Wyn. Beudy Tyˆ will the site will be heated by biomass visitors will get their first taste of offer an audiovisual interpretive technology and bearing in mind the story of Yr Ysgwrn before experience in the form of a film that Yr Ysgwrn is a working farm, and an exhibition of the Heroes of the new agricultural shed, which Trawsfynydd, with the farmhouse has a living grass roof, is unique in as ever representing the family its design. For the first time ever home. Tyˆ Bach will be home to the the farmhouse will be connected bats of Yr Ysgwrn and we will seek to electricity, water and heating to encourage wildlife throughout services which will enable us to the site, including native plants, take the best possible care of the bats, owls and bees. collection. The farmhouse certainly deserves the description ‘iconic’. Over the 2017 will be an last century, it has changed very important year. little, with the original artefacts Follow us on and furniture still occupying the social media for kitchen, and the bardic chairs the latest news: gracefully taking their place in the Twitter/ parlour. The atmosphere is unique Instagram: and homely and the home tells @ yrysgwrn its own story. For this reason, Facebook: interpretation within the house Yr Ysgwrn: will be minimal. Nevertheless Cartref Hedd there will be some changes, Wyn/ Home including opening the bedrooms of Hedd Wyn and buttery to the public for the first time and moving the bardic chairs won by Hedd Wyn at local eisteddfodau for display in the bedrooms. Y Gadair Ddu (The Black Chair). By kind permission of Jan Davies

5 Keeping the Memory Alive: remembering the First World War at the National Library of Wales

NLW MS 4628C Yr Arwr by Ellis Humphrey Evans (Hedd Wyn) © The National Library of Wales

poem, ‘Yr Arwr’ (The Hero), and on his substantial archive, including Exhibitions the recollections of his friend the letters he sent to his wife, One hundred years ago two poets and fellow soldier, J. B. Thomas, Helen, describing life at the front, died on the battlefields during of their time in the army. The and drafts of his poems. Born in the First World War: Hedd Wyn exhibition will also seek to show London to a Welsh family, Edward and Edward Thomas. In 2017 the how the story of Hedd Wyn – who Thomas, though he took a keen Library will celebrate the life and died in battle at Pilckem Ridge near interest in literature, did not begin work of these war poets in the Ypres (Ieper) – continues to inspire writing poetry until 1914. One exhibition ‘Fallen Poets: Hedd Wyn authors, poets and film makers. of the most significant items in & Edward Thomas’. We will also be looking at the the exhibition is the diary he kept There will be a chance to see effect of the war on Edward during the last three months of his copies of Hedd Wyn’s celebrated Thomas (1878–1917) by drawing life, which contains descriptions of

6 life in the army and of the natural conscience. The aim of Library world, and a draft of his final poem, volunteers is to transcribe ‘The sorrow of true love’. This specific fields within these diary was still in the pocket of his records in order to make them greatcoat when he died during the more easily searchable. battle of Arras on Easter Monday 1917, shortly after arriving in Digital legacy France. Over twenty digital learning You can view this touching packages created jointly by the exhibition in the Gregynog Annexe Library and Amgueddfa Cymru from 18 February to 2 September. – National Museum Wales are available on the Hwb website. Volunteers These resources cover a During 2016 a team of Library number of different topics volunteers has been busy relating to the war, such as contributing to the Wales for Peace propaganda, recruitment, project and transcribing the Welsh and the role of women. National Book of Remembrance. The Book records the names of around 35,000 members of the armed forces who lost their lives during the First World War and the Exemption application, dated 10 March 1916, Cardiganshire Great War Tribunal (Appeals) Records (CTB3/3/26). © The National Library of Wales aim is ultimately to make it more accessible to a wider audience. This year the volunteers will turn The Library has also developed their attention to the Library’s a Hangman game based on Morse collection of records of the Code to test your knowledge of Cardiganshire Tribunal. This the war (gemmorse.llgc.org.uk). was the tribunal which dealt Good luck! with appeals against The Wales at War website is still conscription in the open and allows you to contribute county during the First to a growing database of Welsh World War. Following men and women who lost their the introduction of lives during the war (www. the Military Service Act in 1916 walesatwar.org). Remember too that every man aged between 18 and 41 material relating to the First World could be summoned for military War and the Welsh experience is service unless he had a certificate still available on Cymru1914.org of exemption. Men could make and on the Welsh Newspapers application for exemption to the Online website. In addition, local Military Service Tribunal hundreds of items relating to the on the grounds of illness or war may be found on the website employment in reserved occupations of People’s Collection Wales, such as agriculture or mining, or which continues to support and because they were conscientious maintain the outputs of World War objectors. One community projects (www. This very interesting collection from peoplescollection.wales). the Cardiganshire Tribunal reveals For further details and dates of all some of the personal histories Library exhibitions and events, go of those seeking exemption and to www.llgc.org.uk or follow us on the reasons for their applications, Facebook or Twitter @NLWales whether governed by necessity of Hedd Wyn’s monument at Trawsfynydd, photographed by Geoff work or home responsibilities or by Charles (1 February 1967). © The National Library of Wales. 7 © AC-NMW Dark Clouds and Hope: remembering the War at Amgueddfa Cymru –National Museum Wales

This year Amgueddfa Cymru– National Museum Wales has an exciting programme of exhibitions, activities and events commemorating the Battle of Passchendaele, revealing museum staff stories during the period and exploring the impact that the war had on the lives of ordinary people across the country.

supported the war effort as one Institution’s touring exhibition ‘Our museum during the of the “Committee Ladies of the ‘Hope in the Great War’. Created Great War — staff stories’ Auxiliary Workers Territorial Forces by affected communities, it honours Stories are at the heart of our Nursing Association” at a hospital the courage and determination of museum and this year we will be set up in Howard Gardens, working those who saved lives in a time uncovering the stories of the staff as both nurse and librarian. With of great conflict. Later in the year who helped to create National her father, Charles Tanfield Vachell, the museum will focus on the Museum Wales and those who she compiled the Vachell herbarium graphic art of Frank Brangwyn left their positions to fight on the which is still held at the museum with a touring exhibition from Front Line. People like Eleanor today. Leicestershire County Council Vachell, who took charge of the Museums Service. Although not Botany collections with the help Exhibitions an official war artist, Brangwyn of pupils from Cardiff High The National Waterfront Museum produced over eighty poster School for Girls. Eleanor also will host the Royal National Lifeboat designs during the First World War.

8 The images give a glimpse of as a place for the community. shining light on the history of what life was like for many people The narratives and stories the estate as an auxiliary hospital, at the time. displayed will be developed with storytelling workshops for families Our popular touring exhibitions community groups from Oakdale and lunchtime concerts with local will continue to travel to other and members of the Armed musicians performing wartime Amgueddfa Cymru sites: ‘Dark Forces community. Look out for songs. We will be working with the Clouds over the Woollen Industry’ #Oakdale100 news in the coming Youth Forum at National Museum will run from January to July at months. Cardiff to reinterpret some of our the National Slate Museum and key First World War artwork and ‘Poppies for Remembrance’ at the Digital Heritage commemorating the death of Hedd National Wool Museum. In 2017 work will continue on Wyn through poetry workshops for the online digital database of families and young people. Black ‘Women in war: For better or First World War objects from the History Month in October will see worse’, the small display at the Museum’s collections with the us working with the Boys and Girls National Roman Legion Museum, addition of medals and artwork Club of Wales, exploring the lives looks at women’s experiences including work by Muirhead of black soldiers and seamen and of war in the ancient world and Bone, Charles Pears and Eric the community’s attitude to them how much the First World War Kennington as images of First after the war. changed this. World War propaganda: http:// St Fagans National History Museum Oakdale Institute www.museumwales.ac.uk/first- will continue its work with military world-war/ We will also make communities past and present as St Fagans National History more of our collections available part of the development of the new Museum will be celebrating the through People’s Collection Wales, galleries. Curators are collecting 100th anniversary of the Oakdale providing a legacy for community modern soldiers’ perspectives on Workmen’s Institute. The Institute engagement, learning and research. the objects from the period that we was built in 1917 as a focus for have in our collections. social, educational and cultural Community Engagement For full details and dates of life within the newly established and Events coal mining community. It was all Amgueddfa Cymru exhibitions at the heart of Oakdale village Amgueddfa Cymru has and activities, visit community for 80 years until an extensive engagement www.museumwales.ac.uk or follow it closed in 1987 and moved to programme planned across the us on Twitter @amgueddfaCymru country. Community projects St Fagans in 1989. In 2017 the (below left) Family activities taking place across in Llanberis, focusing on the AC-NMW sites © AC-NMW Museum is planning to bring (below middle) The annual Newbridge Memorial the building to life once again, site’s war memorial, interactive Remembrance Service at St Fagans. © AC-NMW (below right) Theatrical and musical performances to reflect its original purpose digital trails of St Fagans Castle at National Museum Cardiff © AC-NMW

9 Wales and the Russian Revolutions

(above) Large quantities of flour which were found hoarded at the Police Station. These supplies should have been conveyed to the Duma for distribution to the poor, Petrograd, March 1917 © IWM (Q 69403)

When revolution occurred in Wales Miners’ Federation sent would reinvigorate the military effort Petrograd, the capital of Tsarist their ‘joyful congratulations to and even hasten the end of the war. Russia, in February 1917, it the Democrats of Russia’, while However, it soon became clear was greeted with considerable packed meetings in Bargoed, that far from galvanising Russia, enthusiasm in Wales, across Britain Merthyr, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen and the revolution had opened a and in other countries of the West. other towns urged support for the Pandora’s box. From the outset, Strikes and demonstrations had new Provisional Government. the new republic was beset by begun on 22 February 1917 The Russian Empire had been problems. A power struggle ensued (7 March in the New Style deeply unpopular amongst liberals and a delegation from the British Calendar). With the army severely but it was an ally in the war against government was sent to Russia to depleted, disorder quickly turned Germany. It was the ineffective shore up support for the war. The to revolution. Soldiers refused contribution of the Russian return of Lenin and other Bolshevik to obey orders, officers were Armies on the Eastern front that communist leaders from exile in murdered by their own troops, really caused concern in some April heralded the beginning of a chaos ensued and on 2 March quarters, especially as casualties on new political phase in which councils (15 March) the Tsar abdicated, the Western front increased. Much of workers and soldiers, the Soviets, bringing to an end 300 years of of the Welsh press welcomed the emerged as a powerful new force in Romanov autocracy. The South new government in the hope that it opposition to the government.

10 was overthrown and a new Soviet of Ammanford Trades Council, who republic declared. Faced with rapid described the events in February as German advances, Russia announced a ‘new dawn’. However, like another the cessation of hostilities and in enthusiast, Aneurin Bevan, he was March 1918, the punitive Brest- never serious about a revolution in Litovsk peace treaty was signed with Britain, especially after the October Germany, thus enabling German Revolution. Others embarked on a armies to be reassigned to the different journey, such as the peace Western Front, seriously threatening campaigner the Rev. T. E. Nicholas, the Allied war effort. who joined the Communist Party The execution of the Royal family, and supported the Soviet regime rumours of mass persecution and to the end of his long life. Yet if the appropriation of commercial and revolution never arrived in Britain private property, much of it British, and Communism did not flourish, convinced Western governments there is no doubt that events in that Bolshevik Russia was a greater Russia in 1917 altered the political While the British government were threat than Germany. Even as the context of Wales and Britain for alarmed at these developments, war continued, naval and military decades to come, another reminder others in Britain were encouraged. forces from several countries, of the unforeseen and long-lasting In the summer of 1917, a major including Britain, France, the United legacy of the First World War. convention in Leeds, well attended States and Canada, together with by delegates from Wales, sought to thousands of volunteers, were sent (far left) Russian Revolution poster with words “The Red Army to the Defence of the Proletariat establish its own version of workers’ into Russia in support of anti- Revolution” © IWM (Q 70861) councils. A general Provisional Bolshevik forces. This intervention (second left) T.E. Nicholas. By kind permission of the National Library of Wales Council was set up, district councils lasted more than three years and (second right) Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) were established and a conference cost the lives of 529 British and (22 April 1870 - 21 January 1924). (right) Revolutionaries remove the remaining relics was called in Swansea on 28 July Dominion troops; there are still two of the Imperial Regime from the facade of official buildings, Petrograd, 6 November 1917 © IWM 1917 to establish a Welsh council. Allied war cemeteries in Russia from (Q 69406) (below) A soldier wearing the red ribbon around However, the association between this period. Although no Welsh units his arm to signify his allegiance to the Bolshevik this initiative and the anti-war were involved, there were Welsh Revolution © IWM (Q 69410) movement prompted a strong casualties and a number of Welsh reaction from supporters of the soldiers won military awards in war and the conference was violently North Russia, including the Victoria broken up by a hostile crowd of Cross. Many war memorials in Wales patriots. A promise to reconvene and elsewhere bear the end date the conference came to nothing. 1919, in acknowledgement of this Over the summer of 1917, the continued sacrifice. At the same time attention of Wales and Britain the intervention triggered protests turned to the huge military campaign and strikes, and a ‘Hands Off Russia in Flanders, the Third Battle of campaign’ was organised by trades Ypres, Passchendaele, which began unions to stop the involvement of on 31 July. Interest in Russia waned. British armed forces who were Information was difficult to obtain eventually withdrawn. and the complexities of Russian The Russian Revolutions politics were inscrutable. There had a powerful impact were few reports in the Welsh on those who witnessed press of the second, and far more them, albeit at a distance. significant, revolution which took One of the delegates place on 23 October (5 November at the Swansea NS) when highly organised cadres conference was James of Bolsheviks and their allies Griffiths, the future seized control of key buildings Secretary of State for in Petrograd. The government Wales, then secretary 11 Edward Thomas and David Jones It is an indication of the continued strength of the Welsh language literary tradition that the two major Welsh poets writing in English of the First World War were born in London.

Edward Thomas (1878–1917) was War’s ‘treading down’ is evoked born of Welsh parents, and the and the poem is made up of extent of his influence, and his a conversation between the body of writing on his ancestors’ ploughman and a soldier, who is homeland make him a significant perhaps on leave. The war’s impact voice in the history of Welsh on rural life is reflected in the writing in English. fact that the removal of an elm is indefinitely deferred, for the men His poem ‘At the Team’s Head- who would do the work are gone. Brass’ begins with nature in The development of the poem regenerative mode, with ‘two David Jones. By kind permission of the National lovers’ disappearing into the is dictated by the coming and Library of Wales wood. But an ominous chord going of the plough: the speaker and Jews within the regiment, he is immediately struck as the takes a realistic view of war and emphasises dialectical and linguistic ploughman’s horses turn, and: his likelihood of coming out of differences, and refers to the it unscathed. The impact of war distinct races that intermingle in ‘Instead of treading me down, extends deep into the rural life the trenches. the ploughman leaned that Thomas explored in his work. The ‘genuine Taffies’ seem to carry He died far from that landscape, Upon the handles to say considerable significance within from an exploding shell at Arras at or ask a word’. this world of racially and sexually Easter 1917. hybrid, marginal characters. The Like Thomas, David Jones Welsh have a language that takes (1895–1974) was born in London them back to the ‘Gododdin’, but lived through his experiences a poem that in being written in as a private with the Royal Welch ‘northern Britain’ (Jones’s phrase) Fusiliers at the Western Front. in the 6th century ‘connects us The nature of his Welsh ancestry with a very ancient unity and and the Welsh element in British mingling of races; with the Island history were abiding concerns as a corporate inheritance, with of his work. His long, hybrid, the remembrance of Rome as an prose-poem of the First World European unity’. War In Parenthesis (1937), makes Against the ravages of war Jones widespread use of Welsh. Dai turns to his Welshness as the Greatcoat, the central figure, basis for reconstructing a desired famously ‘articulates his English wholeness. Where Edward with alien care’ and there are Thomas’s work is characterised moments where the trenches by an inward melancholia which themselves are transformed into he associates in romantic fashion areas of Wales in the disturbed, with the land of his parents, patriotic imaginations of Dai David Jones draws on the First and Arthur Lewis. World War to offer a deep, almost This kind of incongruous archaeological, exploration of juxtaposition is part of Jones’s the cultural strands that have ironic style. In depicting the contributed to the making of mixture of Welsh, Cockneys a modern Wales within Britain.

Edward Thomas. By kind permission of the National Library of Wales Hedd Wyn and Cynan On 31 July 2017 we will remember not only one of the major milestones of Welsh literature and the First World War but also an event which has established itself as a part of Welsh history in the twentieth century.

he joined an RAMC unit formed Part of the secret of the success specifically for theological and appeal of these poems is that in students, and by September them Cynan succeeded in conveying, of that year found himself in in a convincing and intelligible Macedonia in Greece. While way, both real and nostalgic, the there he was ordained a minister experience of modern warfare for and appointed chaplain, and both members of the forces and before the end of the war served civilians. with the army in France. If we wish to see how words were It was these experiences that gave found in contemporary poetry rise to the poems he collected to express the varied and novel together in the volume Telyn y experiences of the generation of Nos (Night Harp) in 1921, with 1914–18, it is to Cynan’s poems that many of them – such as ‘Anfon we should turn first of all.

Hedd Wyn. By kind permission of the Archives, y Nico i Lan Dwˆr’ (Sending the (below) Cynan. By kind permission of the Bangor University goldfinch to Glan Dwˆr) and National Library of Wales That day marks a century ‘Hwiangerddi’ (Lullabies) – since the death of Private Ellis contrasting his experiences of Humphrey Evans (1887–1917) being abroad at the time with his from Trawsfynydd, Merionethshire, memories of his locale and a man better known ever since family back in Wales. The as Hedd Wyn. This was the poet same volume contains the from an ordinary agricultural ballad ‘Mab y Bwthyn’ background who was awarded the (Son of the Cottage) Chair at the National Eisteddfod which brought Cynan his in Birkenhead in September when first National Eisteddfod he had been killed in the war over a crown in the same year. month before. It could be said that this was the most popular But despite its title, the poem poem ever to win that ‘Yr Arwr’ (The Hero) contains only prize, and it draws on allegorical references to the war, the experience of an and Hedd Wyn did not have the ordinary boy from opportunity to write many poems Llyˆn who faces based directly on his military difficult times in experience. And so although he the army and is the Welsh poet immediately lives to tell identified with the war, he is not the tale. the most significant. That position is claimed by another man, a poet baptised in the name of Albert Evans Jones (1895– 1970), but who is more familiar in Wales by the name Cynan. In 1916 The Police of South Wales and the First World War

Glamorgan Police War Memorial. By kind permission of Gareth Madge

South Wales Police came into being in 1969 following the amalgamation of the police forces of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Swansea and Merthyr. During the First World War these forces, along with the Neath Borough Police which merged with Glamorgan in 1947, were responsible for policing the areas subsequently covered by the South Wales Police. The war had a substantial impact of policemen who died or were for each of the remaining years of on policing. Policemen became key injured. It was their sacrifice which the centenary commemorations recruits for the armed forces. Chief prompted South Wales Police to together with others on specific Constables were encouraged to establish in 2014 a Project Group subjects. These booklets can be release men for service and several to research the stories of those who viewed on the websites of South hundred from the forces mentioned had served. Since then: Wales Police (www.south-wales. joined the colours. Captain • Information has been compiled in police.uk/en/about-us/museum/ Lionel Lindsay, Chief Constable relation to the 93 police officers first-world-war-centenary/) and of Glamorgan, was particularly who died, most of whom are People’s Collection Wales supportive of the Welsh Guards, recorded on the Glamorgan Police (www.peoplescollection.wales/ formed in 1915. War Memorial at South Wales users/9665). The departure of so many for the Police Headquarters in Bridgend • Commemorative crosses have been war placed considerable strain on and on memorial tablets or plaques placed on the graves of police the remaining policemen. There for the Cardiff, Swansea and officers in Wales, England, France were many new regulations to be Merthyr forces. and Belgium. Wreaths have also enforced, key installations to be • Booklets have been produced been laid at the Thiepval, Menin protected and foreign nationals, for 1914 and 1915 containing Gate and Loos Memorials and the especially those from enemy nations, biographies of those who died. Welsh Dragon Memorial at Mametz to be dealt with. The war’s impact Further booklets will be produced Wood. In all 80 policemen have was also reflected in the numbers been remembered in this way.

14 The stories of notable personalities include those of:

Sergeant Frederick William Mallin. Lieutenant Ernest James Rollings, MC. CSM Richard ‘Dick’ Thomas. Penarth Times, 13 April 1916 By kind permission of Richard Thomas By kind permission of Mrs Anne Day Ernest James Rollings: a Glamorgan Dick Thomas: the former Welsh rugby Frederick William Mallin: a Glamorgan policeman who later served with the Neath international and Glamorgan policeman policeman who was one of the first two Police. He commanded a tank at the Third was killed in action at Mametz Wood on recipients of the Military Medal, instituted in 1916, and awarded to him for his actions Battle of Ypres in 1917 and was awarded the 7 July 1916 whilst serving as a Company MC for his bravery in the battle, where he Sergeant Major with the Cardiff City during the bombardment of Hartlepool went to the aid of a wounded officer. He later Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. In by the German Navy in 1914. He survived served with the Tank Corps at the Battle 2015 a building in Bridgend, used jointly the war and returned to police service. of Cambrai in 1917. In August 1918 he by South Wales Police and Bridgend commanded a section of armoured cars during County Borough Council, was opened the Battle of Amiens and recovered top-secret by the First Minister and named German maps and documents in a daring Tyˆ Richard Thomas in his honour. raid on one of their headquarters. For this action he was awarded a second MC. Frederick William Smith: a Glamorgan In the 1930s, as a result of press interest in Police Inspector who became a Lieutenant the 1918 raid, he became a national hero, Colonel and commanded the Cardiff City described as ‘The Man who Won the War’. Battalion from 1916 onwards, at Mametz He was made a Freeman of the Borough Wood, Pilckem Ridge and elsewhere. of Neath and was presented with a cheque Awarded the DSO, he returned to for £5000 as a gift from a Lady Houston the police, became a superintendent in recognition of his bravery. Despite being and retired as Deputy Chief Constable severely wounded he returned to the police of Glamorgan.

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick William Smith. after the war and was acting Chief Constable By kind permission of the South Wales Police Museum of Neath at the time of his retirement in 1943.

The work of the Project Group will continue until the conclusion of the centenary commemorations. South Wales Police is proud of the bravery and sacrifice of all those from its predecessor forces who served during the War. They will not be forgotten.

15 Welsh Rugby and the First World War We will never know how many Welsh rugby players died in the First World War. Sportsmen throughout Wales responded enthusiastically to the call to arms and the Welsh Rugby Union suspended all club fixtures for the duration.

Although the WRU’s attempts and when he enlisted he after the war to compile a roll was working as a solicitor’s of honour of club players never articled clerk in Swansea. materialised, we do know that A survivor of Mametz thirteen Welsh rugby internationals Wood, ‘Bryn’ was a major – all volunteers – died on active in 122 Brigade Royal Field service. The lives of these thirteen Artillery, 38th (Welsh) men, born in different parts of Division, who were holding Wales and brought up in varying the line in the Ypres social and educational contexts, Salient opposite Pilckem illustrate the many diverse aspects Ridge. On the morning of pre-war Welsh society, as well as of 2 April 1917 he was the socially democratic nature of taking his breakfast Welsh rugby. They also took part behind the gun lines near in many other sports. They are, Boesinghe, when he was therefore, representative of that caught by a high velocity whole generation of Welshmen shell and killed instantly. who went off to war. The second casualty was By 1917 nine of the thirteen had David Westacott, a tough already lost their lives and sadly docker from Grangetown three more would follow during who played at forward for that year. The greatest cause of Cardiff for seven seasons, death in the war was not the during one of the club’s machine-gun or gas but artillery, most successful periods. and all three Welsh internationals He won one cap for Wales who died in 1917 were victims of in 1906. Despite being a shell-fire behind the immediate family man, he joined up front line. early in the war and saw The first was Brinley Richard much action, including Lewis, a Swansea player from the battles of Aubers Pontardawe who had been Ridge, Loos and the educated at Swansea Grammar Somme, where School and Cambridge University, he was badly where he won three rugby Blues. wounded. A brilliant wing, he was capped twice by Wales in 1912 and 1913,

(right) Lieutenant Philip Dudley ‘Phil’ Waller. The Rugby Football Internationals Roll of Honour 1914-18 by E. H. D. Sewell (pub. T. C. & E.C. Jack 1919).

16 On 28 August 1917, serving as a private in the 2/6th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment during the Third Battle of Ypres, he was killed in a support trench near Wieltje by a random shell on what was reported to be a ‘quiet’ day. Each year on 10 November – the anniversary of the end of Third Ypres – the people of Passchendaele commemorate all who died there by remembering the lives of three combatants – one British, one Canadian and one German. In the 2015 ‘Passchendaele Ceremony’ the Welsh docker ‘Dai’ Westacott was chosen to represent all the men of the British Army who died in that horrendous battle. WRU war memorial at the Principality Stadium. © Welsh Rugby Union Philip Dudley Waller died in the aftermath of the Battle of Cambrai which, like Third Ypres, failed to losing side for Wales and was a Garrison Artillery. He fought on provide the hoped-for breakthrough. member of the Grand Slam team the Somme in 1916 and throughout Born in Bath, Phil was brought up of 1908–9. After touring with the 1917, when he was commissioned in Llanelli, where he attended the 1910 British Lions in South Africa in the field for distinguished service. Intermediate School. He joined – where he played in an astonishing After fighting at Cambrai Lieutenant Newport rugby club after securing twenty-three of the twenty-four Waller was going home on leave an engineering job at Newport matches – he stayed on in that on 14 December 1917. He had just docks. Only nineteen when he country. Thus it was that he served begun his journey to the railway won the first of his six Welsh caps in the war with the 71st (South station when his car was struck by a at forward, Phil was never on the African) Siege Battery, Royal stray shell near Bapaume and he and his travelling companion were killed. All were victims of the casual attrition which was the daily experience of life on the Western Front in 1917. Like all Welsh rugby internationals who died during the war, these three very dedicated and multi-talented Welshmen had achieved a great deal in their personal and sporting lives and their deaths were a great loss to Welsh society. Brinley Lewis is buried at Ferme- Olivier Cemetery, Elverdinge, Belgium. David Westacott is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing, Zonnebeke, Belgium. Philip Waller is buried at Red Cross Corner Cemetery, Beugny, France.

(left) Major Brinley Richard ‘Bryn’ Lewis. The Rugby Football Internationals Roll of Honour 1914-1918 by E. H. D. Sewell (pub. T. C. & E. C. Jack 1919). (right) Private David Westacott. The Rugby Football Internationals Roll of Honour 1914-1918 by E. H. D. Sewell (pub. T. C. & E. C. Jack 1919). 17 In the hundred years since the First World War, how has Wales contributed to the search for peace?

(above) WCIA and the National Library of Wales have Craig Owen is Head of the been involving volunteers nationwide in a ‘digital act of Welsh Centre for International remembrance’ – transcribing the book (left) so that it will be accessible and searchable online for future generations. Affairs’ ‘Wales for Peace’ project, © Welsh Centre for International Affairs which explores how the horrors (below) Excerpt from the Welsh Council of the League of Nations Union Annual Report for 1927, discovered by WCIA of the First World War inspired volunteers in the Temple of Peace Library in 2016. © Welsh Centre for International Affairs ex-combatants and peacemakers alike to work together towards building a better world – with poignant lessons for Wales’ role in the world today. Cardiff ’s Temple of Peace was built to house the Welsh First World War Book of Remembrance, the roll of 35,000 ‘names of men and women of Welsh birth and parentage, and (above The Welsh First World War Book of of all the men belonging to the Remembrance. © Welsh Centre for International Affairs Archive regiments of Wales, who gave their lives in the war’. These were the words of Minnie James from Dowlais, a bereaved ‘We pray that (this Temple) mother who lost three sons in the may come to be regarded First World War, as in 1938 she by the people of our opened the doors to the Temple. country … as a symbol of The Welsh League of Nations our determination to strive Union went on to play a world- for justice and peace in leading role in the search for the future.’ peace.

18 Travelling exhibitions and events programmes

Working with groups across Wales, Women – Poppies, War WCIA have developed three and Peace: The stories of travelling exhibitions which aim to women and movements who stimulate community exploration have been at the forefront of and responses to: responding to war and working towards peace, from global to Remembering for Peace: local. This will be displayed as Through the Welsh Book of part of WCIA’s involvement in Remembrance, exploring soldiers’ the Poppies: Weeping Window stories and the impact of war and exhibition at the Senedd in loss on Wales’ local communities August–September 2017. (Narberth, Feb – Apr 2017;

Ynys Môn, May – Aug 2017) . Refugees and Sanctuary: Montage of Urdd Peace & Goodwill messages displayed in Oriel Pendeitsh, From Belgian to Basque to Gwynedd, Oct-Nov 2016. © Welsh Centre for International Affairs Belief and Action: Exploring Syrians today, those displaced opposition to war, questions Community Peace by conflict through the years of conscience and choice then Heritage WCIA have sought sanctuary, and have and now, and stories behind the and partners are made a huge contribution to names in the Pearce Register of supporting community Welsh society. Conscientious Objectors. groups to explore International Solidarity: and share their own Peace and Goodwill: Exploring From the 1920s to today, Wales’ ‘hidden histories’ of the aspirations, hopes and dreams outward-looking, internationalist war and peace heritage. of young people through the and campaigning movements – The Caernarfon Peace Urdd’s International Youth from the League of Nations to Trail (now available as Message of Peace and Goodwill, CND, Anti-Apartheid and Wales smartphone app from broadcast every year since Africa Links – have shaped our Apple and Android 1922. relationships with the world. stores), brought together a range of As well as building on these community groups and hidden histories To host an exhibition themes, we are seeking community previously unknown to many. or develop a programme partners and volunteers to help of community activities This inspired a re-enactment of the develop new content for local on any of these themes, 1926 North Wales Women’s Peace exhibition and community please contact Pilgrimage (below) to mark World venues, exploring: [email protected] Peace Day (21 September) 2016, for which a commemorative plaque can now be seen on Caernarfon’s Quayside (below left).

Images © Welsh Centre for International Affairs 19 19 (above and below) Pupils of Ysgol Tryfan at Caernarfon Castle. © Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor Ysgol Tryfan, Bangor It was a slightly damp July day in Caernarfon, but the weather didn’t mar the experience of Ysgol Tryfan pupils one little bit. More than 150 pupils from Year the next two years until a voice-over 7 and Year 8 had the exciting and an image of each soldier / sailor experience of attending a workshop has been completed. This resource that had been provided by the will then be shared with the Royal Museum of Royal Welch Fusiliers, Welch Fusiliers and when complete located in Caernarfon castle. Every will be uploaded to the internet pupil had the opportunity to handle through the school website. Local original artefacts from the First primary schools have also had the World War as well as a chance to opportunity to share experiences experience life as a common soldier, and knowledge during visits and led by the Royal Welch Fusiliers who open evenings. Year 9 pupils in the recreated the past through role play. school year 2016–2017 will have the In the following school year, pupils opportunity to upload information who had attended workshops about Bangor troops that has in Caernarfon went on to share already been collected on the new and expand their knowledge and website and Wales at War app. understanding of these experiences. www.walesatwar.org/site/home They became aware of, and Meurig Jones, Head of History at appreciated the huge contribution Ysgol Tryfan, said, ‘The outcomes of Bangor people had made to the activities such as these have definitely First World War. In co-operation added to the understanding and with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, pupils’ interest in the importance of groups of pupils from Year 7 (led remembering WWI and will certainly by Year 9) have now begun the lay a solid foundation to expand on process of creating a resource those studies in the coming years. based on the book Cofio’r Dewrion This project fulfilled all the objectives and aim to add to the resource over set out in the original proposal.’ 20 Cowbridge Comprehensive School At the beginning of July the Headteacher decided to collapse the whole school timetable for Key Stage 3 to commemorate the First World War.

It was a very successful day The lunchtime menu was also Its focus was on the local boys as the History Department themed as the canteen staff whose names are carved on the managed to involve all fully entered into the spirit of Cowbridge War memorial. The departments from English to the day by offering ‘Kitchener’s service ended with the sounding of Physical Education. ‘Our Key soup’ and ‘Toad in the hole the ‘Last Post’ which was arranged stage 3 pupils, approximately – tommy style’. Whilst eating by the Music Department. 670 learners, experienced lunch, pupils watched ‘Oh! ‘As a school we think it was a very four lessons; all these lessons What a Lovely War’. worthwhile multi-disciplinary and were based around different The highlight of the day active learning project and was aspects of the First World was a whole school service an invaluable opportunity for our War. The English department which was conducted on the younger pupils to learn about the focused on poetry whilst our school premises. The service First World War and elements of Art Department focused on the involved many partnerships and local history.’ meaning of art produced during stakeholders: governors, parents trench warfare. Our practical and feeder primary schools. departments offered activities The Ethics and Philosophy from making commemoration Department arranged a very medals to baking cakes poignant service which involved following wartime recipes.’ many pupils and staff.

21 Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914 - 1918

Sources of Funding −First World War Centenary Projects © National Library of Wales

If you are planning a project to commemorate the First World War Centenary in Wales, here’s some Young Roots Heritage Lottery Fund advice about organisations that can offer grants The Young Roots programme is for projects that and other funding support. engage young people, aged 11 to 25, with heritage in the UK. Grants of more than £10,000 and up to Heritage Lottery Fund, First World War: £50,000 are available to fund partnerships of heritage ‘Then and Now’ Programme and youth organisations to help young people shape and deliver their own projects in safe environments The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) ‘First World War: www.hlf.org.uk Then and Now’ programme is providing grants of £3,000 to £10,000 for communities to mark the Centenary of the First World War. Cadw –– Grants for War Memorials in Wales Funding is available to help groups, communities Developed in partnership with the War Memorials and organisations mark the Centenary by exploring, Trust, this scheme will help to safeguard memorials for conserving and sharing the heritage of the First future generations, with grants of up to 70% of the World War from memorials, buildings and sites, eligible costs (up to a maximum of £10,000) available to photographs, letters and literature. It’s a rolling for conservation and repair. programme which means you can apply any time In addition to this scheme Cadw also offer other grants and applications are assessed in eight weeks. to contribute to the costs of repairing and restoring Visit their website for application forms, guidance historic assets as well as match funding community, and examples of projects www.hlf.org.uk or local authority and third sector-led projects. email: [email protected] For more information and guidance, visit the Help, Advice and Grants section of the Cadw website: Our Heritage Programme − www.cadw.wales.gov.uk Heritage Lottery Fund War Memorials Trust The Our Heritage Programme is for any type of project related to national, regional or local heritage in Grants are available to repair and conserve war the UK. Grants are available for more than £10,000 memorials from the War Memorials Trust. The Trust and up to £100,000, applications are welcomed can also advise on appropriate conservation methods. from not-for-profit organisations, private owners You can find further details on the War Memorials of heritage (including individuals and for-profit Trust website: www.warmemorials.org or telephone: organisations) and partnerships. www.hlf.org.uk 020 7233 7356.

22 In addition to the public bodies listed here, private Memorials Grant Scheme charities or commercial businesses may be prepared Additional help may be available through this scheme to support commemorative projects, especially if run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport they are directly related to the charity or business in Wales and England, which refunds VAT incurred enterprise itself. in the construction, repair and maintenance of Online help in finding grant-giving bodies is memorials. provided by www.grantnet.com and the Charities Aid You can find further details on the memorials grant Foundation publishes a regular Directory of grant- scheme website: www.memorialgrant.org.uk or by aiding trusts, often available at local libraries. telephone: 0845 600 6430. Fund-raising requires imagination and persistence: there is no limit to the number of potential sources. Federation of Museums and Galleries in Wales Good luck. Small Grants Scheme Discover more about how Wales is remembering the Under this scheme grants are offered to Museums in First World War and other ways you can get involved: Wales twice a year, with priority given to supporting www.walesremembers.org smaller projects. From 2017 the maximum grant level during the spring grant round will be increased to £10,000, and in the autumn round, grants will be Uploading events to the Cymru’n Cofio Wales limited to a maximum £3,000. The match funding Remembers 1914-1918 website requirement will be a minimum 10% for all grants. Successful projects include conservation and Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 is the specialist equipment, outreach and lifelong learning official programme to mark the centenary of the First projects, development of partnership working and World War in Wales. The Programme is coordinated professional advice. Museums must by the Welsh Government, working in partnership be Accredited and be a member of the Federation. with organisations from across Wales and beyond. Its For more information visit the Grants page of website is a focal point for information on the latest www.welshmuseumsfederation.org news, projects, events and signposting of information for the commemoration from 2014 to 2018. Arts Council Wales To post your events or projects on the Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 website, please visit If a project has a cultural or artistic dimension it (www.walesremembers.org/events/) or may be possible to apply for support from the Arts (www.walesremembers.org/projects/). If you are Council of Wales www.artswales.org.uk. They also issuing any press releases regarding your First World offer advice on how to apply for funding and give War project which you would like to be considered details of a number of other sources of funding for the Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 available to arts organisations and individuals. website, please send to (www.walesremembers.org/ get-in-touch/). To share events on our twitter feed Schools please copy @walesremembers. Thanks to new funding from the Welsh Government, every secondary school in Wales has the opportunity Useful Links: to apply to receive up to £1,000 to develop creative Website: www.walesremembers.org and innovative projects to commemorate the First Twitter: @walesremembers World War. Facebook: Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 Each school is able to decide how best they can do this, and they could also work with other schools and undertake collaborative projects. Schools interested in applying should e-mail: [email protected] to receive a grant application pack.

23 The Welsh Government is not responsible for events arranged by external organisations, individuals or groups. Some events may require booking or involve an entry fee. Please contact the event Events organisers directly for details. Experience of the First World War NOVEMBER 2013 online digital archive, which was JULY 2014 also launched at the event (please 28 Nov 2013 – 11 Nov 2018 15 Jul 2014 10:00am – 31 Oct 2018 see www.walesremembers.org/the- Launch of the Great War and the national-library-of-wales-launches- 4:30pm Valleys Online Exhibition the-welsh-experience-of-the-first- Exhibition: A Lost Generation Merthyr Tydfil world-war/). Roderic Bowen Library and Archives, http://merthyrww1.llgc.org.uk/en/ The Minister said: “This new University of Wales Trinity Saint David, items/show/13 digital exhibition is the culmination Lampeter,Ceredigion, SA48 7ED of widespread collaboration During an event at The College www.uwtsd.ac.uk between local and national Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday, 28 An exhibition of archive material November John Griffiths AM, institutions that will help our communities better understand the telling the story of St David’s the then-Minister for Culture College through the Great War. and Sport launched The Great impact of the First World War and War and the Valleys digital the resultant enduring changes to exhibition, created by historian Welsh society. Dr. Paul O’Leary of Aberystwyth “It is a further contribution to AUGUST 2014 University. The exhibition looks the wide-ranging programme to 1 Aug 2014 – 11 Nov 2018 commemorate the First World War, at a series of specific events in Travelling Exhibition – which is being developed by the Merthyr Tydfil and the Cynon “Gwent in the Great War” Valley but also addresses how we Welsh Government.” can commemorate the diverse and The Welsh Experience of the Various locations in Gwent controversial set of events that First World War was developed www.walesremembers.org occurred during 1914-18. as a collaborative initiative led by Organised by the Western Front It details the harrowing experience the National Library of Wales, Association Gwent branch, and in of war in the trenches but also in partnership with the Archives Partnership with MALD and Gwent documents the opposition to war and Special Collections of Archives. and the impact of the conflict on Wales (partners are Aberystwyth This travelling exhibition will be civilian life. The ‘home front’ is an University; Bangor University, displayed at a variety of locations important part of the exhibition. Cardiff University; Swansea across the county of Gwent during It draws attention to how women’s University; the University of Wales the four year commemorative period. Trinity St David; BBC Cymru lives were changed by the war and Contact: [email protected] Wales; The People’s Collection, how controversial events like the or 01291 425638 miners’ strike of July 1915 were Wales; and archives and local reported. It also sheds light on the records offices that are part of ARCW: the Archives and Records ‘spy scare’ of 1914 and the arrival 5 Aug 2014 – 11 Nov 2018 of groups of Belgian refugees. Council of Wales). The project Faces of WW1 Dr. O’Leary’s online presentation was funded by a £500,000 grant will remain at The College from the Jisc - Content programme Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, Merthyr Tydfil for the benefit of as part of their work in support Caernarfon Castle, Caernarfon of education and research, and its staff and students. The digital Gwynedd, LL55 2AY exhibition drew heavily on material through support from the partner www.rwfmuseum.org.uk digitised as part of the The Welsh organisations. Collecting and displaying the details and photographs of every Royal Welsh Fusilier who fell in WW1.

24 A nationwide search for These are the words of Canon RT photographs, helped by historical Jones, Bethesda in 1914. It’s often FEBRUARY 2017 societies, war memorial projects, assumed that all communities and 1 Feb 2017 1:15pm – 1 Feb 2017 county archives and volunteers to industries across Wales responded find over 10,500 photos of the enthusiastically to the recruitment “Yr Ysgwrn: Cadw’r Drws yn RWF who were lost in WW1. Help campaign which preceded Agored” – Naomi Jones us reunite the Regiment by bringing conscription. The exhibition looks National Library of Wales, Penglais these boys home. at responses in the slate quarrying Road, Aberystwyth , Ceredigion, Each man commemorated on communities of Wales, explaining SY23 3BU if and why these communities the centenary of his death at the www.llgc.org.uk/en Museum. found it difficult to respond. A presentation of the history of For further information please Contact us on 01286 673362 or Yr Ysgwrn, one of Wales’ most contact the museum direct on on [email protected] famous homes and the efforts by the 0300 111 2 333 or via email: if you can help us or if you need Snowdonia National Park to keep [email protected] more information. its door open for future generations. Event in Welsh with simultaneous AUGUST 2016 NOVEMBER 2016 translation. Free admission by ticket 5 Aug 2016 – 1 Mar 2017 3 Nov 2016 – 29 Jan 2017 Tickets (01970) 632 548 Poppies for Remembrance “When Dai Became Tommy” events.library.wales National Wool Museum,Dre- National Waterfront Museum, fach Felindre, Llandysul, Swansea, Oystermouth Road 4 Feb 2017 Carmarthenshire, SA44 5UP Maritime Quarter ,Swansea Yr Ysgwrn Volunteering Fair Swansea, SA1 3RD www.museumwales.ac.uk/wool Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd, A natural history exhibition looking www.museumwales.ac.uk/swansea Gwynedd, LL41 4UW at the poppy and how it became a Welsh soldiers fought on every www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/yr- symbol of remembrance. battlefield on which British ysgwrn forces were engaged. Wherever An Amgueddfa Cymru Touring Welsh soldiers fought, there were Volunteering fair held at Yr Ysgwrn, Exhibition miners amongst them. A lot of home of the poet Hedd Wyn, who 0300 111 2 333 them served as Tunnellers on was posthumously awarded the bardic [email protected] the Western Front. These miners chair of 1917 having been killed fought their own private war under, during the Battle of Passchendaele rather than in the trenches. a few weeks previously. 24 Aug 2016 10:00am – 29 Jan 2017 5:00pm 4 Feb 2017 11:00am – 4 Feb 2017 For Freedom and For Empire JANUARY 2017 3:00pm National Waterfront Museum, 28 Jan 2017 – 28 Jan 2017 Tales from the Trenches Oystermouth Road, Maritime Cofio Hedd Wyn Concert Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh Quarter, Swansea, SA1 3RD Elm Hall Methodist Church, Elm Hall Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, www.museumwales.ac.uk/wool Dr, Liverpool , L18 1LF Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff, “If the men of Arfon choose to A concert arranged by Dr Ben CF10 3RB shelter beneath the mountains of Rees in conjunction with Côr www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk Snowdonia, and therefore neglect Rygbi Gogledd Cymru. To celebrate National Storytelling their duty, then they will eternally Week join our First World War lose the prime ideal of Nationalism Tommy as he reveals stories from – namely the opportunity to fight the trenches. for freedom and for empire….”

(background image) Battle of Langemarck. British soldiers in the ruins of a church. Near Zuydcoote, 16 August 1917. © IWM (Q 2710) 25 World War by taking a closer look a few weeks previously – to the 18 Feb 2017 – 2 Sep 2017 at our First World War postcard public following redevelopment. Fallen Poets: Hedd Wyn & Edward collection and make your own to Some of the main changes will be: Thomas take home. • Opening the farmhouse to the National Library of Wales, Penglais public, including the buttery, the Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, pantry and the bedrooms with 24 Feb 2017 11:00am – 24 Feb 2017 SY23 3BU interpretation in these rooms 4:00pm www.llgc.org.uk/en focusing on the life and work of Tommy Talks Hedd Wyn One hundred years ago two poets were killed in battle during Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh • Converting Beudy Llwyd (an the Great War: Hedd Wyn and Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, old cow house) to a welcome Edward Thomas. Through Cardiff Castle, Castle Street , Cardiff, building which will include a our diverse collections we will CF10 3RB reception, cafe, education room, study room and an exhibition celebrate the life and work of www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk these war poets. room Find out what life was like for Tommies in the First World War. • Restoring Beudy Tyˆ (an old Suitable for all ages. barn) to include a film about 18 Feb 2017 10:30am – 18 Feb 2017 the Great War, interpretation 2:45pm of rural life and culture of the Keeping the Family Posted MARCH 2017 period, and adapting the building Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh to enable events to be held there 8 Mar 2017 11:00am – 8 Mar 2017 Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, • Turn the Pigsty to a Bat House 3:00pm Cardiff Castle, Castle Street , • Demolish the existing International Women’s Day Cardiff, CF10 3RB agricultural shed and build a new www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh environmentally friendly shed Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, Join historian Sally Pointer as (with grass roof), in its place she talks about postcards and Cardiff Castle, Castle Street • In addition, there will be a communication in the First Cardiff, CF10 3RB specific car park for visitors and World War. Have a chance to www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk a biomass boiler will be built test your textile skills and create next to the pigsty. In partnership with EnergiZe Media your own. Adults only and we will be celebrating the role of booking necessary by emailing women in the First World War education@cardiffcastlemuseum. 5 Apr 2017 1:15pm – 5 Apr 2017 through costumed interpretation, org.uk or calling 02920 873623. talks and activities. Edward Thomas – Talk by Workshops take place at 10:30am, 12:00pm and 1:45pm. Dr Andrew Webb National Library of Wales, Penglais APRIL 2017 Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, 22 Feb 2017 11:00am – 22 Feb 2017 Spring 2017 SY23 3BU 3:00pm Reopening of Yr Ysgwrn to www.llgc.org.uk/en Postcards Home the public Discover the story of Edward Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd, Thomas, poet, and novelist. He Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, Gwynedd, LL41 4UW enlisted in 1915, and was killed in action during the Battle of Arras Cardiff Castle, Castle Street , www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/home in 1917, soon after arriving Cardiff, CF10 3RB Reopening of Yr Ysgwrn - home in France. www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk of the poet Hedd Wyn, who was Free admission by ticket Discover the stories of the posthumously awarded the bardic families and soldiers of the First chair of 1917 having been killed Tickets (01970) 632 548 events. during the Battle of Passchendaele library.wales

26 at Cardiff University, where 10 Apr 2017 10:00am – 10 Apr 2017 19 Apr 2017 11:00am – 19 Apr 2017 an important collection of 4:00pm 3:00pm Thomas’s manuscript materials Tales from the Trenches Soldiers From the Past and letters is held at SCOLAR. and Women Workers Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh With the preparation of a major Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, edition of his prose and with his acknowledged centrality to new Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, forms of nature writing, study of Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 3RB Thomas is now rarely confined to Cardiff, CF10 3RB www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk any single aspect of his practice. www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk Come along to the museum and We want to celebrate Thomas Come along to the museum and find out more about the role and approaches to his work in the find out more about the role that Welsh soldiers played during fullest possible diversity. that Welsh soldiers played during military campaigns, including the military campaigns, including the First World War Tommy. Talks Tommy in the First World War. will run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. JUNE 2017 This experience forms part of The museum will bring the past to 1 Jun 2017 11:00am – 1 Jun 2017 life through museum staff dressed the admission to Cardiff Castle. 3:00pm in uniforms of these historical Cardiff Castle Key Card Holders periods. go free. Soldiers, Nurses and Munitionettes We will also be looking at the role Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh of women during the First World 19 Apr 2017 9:00am – 20 Apr 2017 War. Get up close and hear from a Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, 6:00pm Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Edward Thomas Centenary and learn how shells were made Cardiff, CF10 3RB by a canary girl from a munitions Conference 2017 www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk factory. Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3XQ Discover more about the men http://edwardthomas100. and women who fought, worked 12 Apr 2017 11:00am – 12 Apr 2017 wordpress.com/about/ and saved lives in the First World 4:00pm Edward Thomas is a poet of War. Make a soldier, nurse or retrospect. His poetry memorialises munitionette using our craft Meet a Soldier from the Past states of mind, people, and places. trolley. Drop in activities and Firing Line, Museum of the Welsh It also attempts to voice what is suitable for families. This activity Soldier, The Interpretation Centre, absolutely lost and what was never forms part of the admission to Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff, significant:‘so many things I have Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Castle Key Holders go free. CF10 3RB forgot / That once were much to me, or that were not’, he writes. Thomas www.cardiffcastlemuseum.org.uk also considers obscure futures for Come along to the museum and others and for himself. His poetry find out more about the role anticipates indifference as much as that Welsh soldiers played during longevity when it asks what they military campaigns, including the will ‘do when I am gone?’: ‘they First World War Tommy. Talks will will do without me as the rain/ Can do run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. without the flowers and the grass’. This experience forms part of What should we do with Thomas, the admission to Cardiff Castle. whose reputation and writing is Cardiff Castle Key Card Holders more present than ever? In 2017, go free. we will mark the centenary of his death with a major conference

(background image) Battle of Langemarck. British soldiers in the ruins of a church. Near Zuydcoote, 16August 1917. © IWM (Q 2711) 27 www.walesremembers.org for 30 Jul 2017 8:00pm – 30 Jul 2017 JULY 2017 further details. Welsh participation at the Last 28 Jul 2017 2:30pm – 28 July 2017 Post ceremony Welsh Service at Tyne Cot Menin Gate, Menenstraat, 8900 31 Jul 2017 Cemetery, Passchendaele Ieper, Belgium Marking a century since Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, Welsh participation at the daily Last Hedd Wyn’s death Flanders Post Ceremony, during which Côr Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd Welsh memorial service at Tyne Rygbi Gogledd Cymru will sing. LL41 4UW Cot Cemetery led by Father Sunday, July 30 2017 and/or Bart Demuynck featuring a Monday 31 July 2017 8:00pm. www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/ performance by Côr Rygbi yr-ysgwrn Gogledd Cymru. Activities at Yr Ysgwrn to mark a 31 Jul 2017 5:00am – 31 Jul 2017 century since the death of Hedd Commemorative Ceremony – Wyn, who was posthumously 29 Jul 2017 – 29 Jul 2017 awarded the bardic chair of 1917 Passchendaele Gala Commemorative Concert having been killed during the in conjunction with Côr Rygbi Welsh Memorial In Flanders, Battle of Passchendaele a few Gogledd Cymru Near Langemark, Flanders weeks previously. Commemorative ceremony to Langemark Church, Flanders Please visit Snowdonia National mark the start of the Third Battle Park Authority website for Gala Concert in conjunction of Ypres. with Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, further details. featuring performances by Rhys Meirion (tenor), Dylan Cernyw 31 Jul 2017 10:00am - 31 Jul 2017 (harp), Gwydion Rhys (cello), AUGUST 2017 Dilwyn Morgan and a Flemish Hedd Wyn and Francis Ledwidge folk group. Memorial Service 1 Aug 2017 – 1 Aug 2017 Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (Welsh artists available Artillery Wood Cemetery, Poezelstraat 4, throughout the tour if required 8904 Ypres, Belgium performance for other events). Memorial Service to mark the Talbot House, Gasthuisstraat 43, centenary of the death of the 8970 Poperinge, Belgium Welsh poet Hedd Wyn and the Irish A performance by Côr Rygbi 30 Jul 2017 12:00 midday – 30 July poet Francis Ledwidge, who were Gogledd Cymru in the gardens 2017 4:00pm killed during the Battle of Pilckem of Talbot House in Poperinge, Film Hedd Wyn followed by Ridge. The ceremony will include Flanders. commemorative re-enactment/ performances by North Wales Rugby Choir and Meibion Prysor. talk 3 Aug 2017 12:00pm – 3 Aug 2017 Swansea Museum, City and 4:00pm County of Swansea, Swansea, 31 Jul 2017 4:00pm – 31 Jul 2017 Film Hedd Wyn followed by SA1 1SN Third Battle of Ypres commemorative re-enactment/talk www.swanseamuseum.co.uk (Passchendaele) National Service Swansea Museum, City and Film showing – Hedd Wyn, of Remembrance County of Swansea, Swansea, SA1 a 1992 Welsh anti-war biopic, Welsh Memorial in Flanders, written by Alan Llwyd and 1SN directed by Paul Turner. Near Langemark, Flanders www.swanseamuseum.co.uk National Service of Remembrance Followed by commemorative Film showing – Hedd Wyn, a to mark a century since the start 1992 Welsh anti-war biopic, written re-enactment/talk with Rod of the Third Battle of Ypres Hughes and Swansea pals. by Alan Llwyd and directed by (Passchendaele). Please visit Paul Turner.

28 Followed by re-enactment/talk on We must never forget the terrible toll dissenter, totally disillusioned Passchendaele and Hedd Wyn with that it took on so many people across by the futility and catastrophic Rod Hughes and Swansea pals. Wales and the world.” slaughter of the trenches. 4 Aug 2017 – 12 Aug 2017 For further information please Sassoon survived the war. Owen contact the National Assembly for was killed just one week before the Yr Ysgwrn’s presence at the Wales via email – Armistice in November 1918. Not National Eisteddfod [email protected] or phone About Heroes tells of his journey Bodedern, Isle of Anglesey 0300 200 6565. to become a war poet, destined for https://eisteddfod.wales/ posthumous greatness, through his relationship with Sassoon, their anglesey-2017 6 Aug 2017 12:00pm – 6 Aug 2017 mutual hatred of war and belief in Yr Ysgwrn’s presence on 4:00pm the power of poetry. Snowdonia National Park Authority’s stand at the National Film Hedd Wyn followed by Winner of an Edinburgh Fringe Eisteddfod to be held near commemorative re-enactment/talk First, and “Best Actor” in the Bodedern, Anglesey, to include Swansea Museum, City and County Wales Theatre Awards 2015, Not the display of the replica Y Gadair of Swansea, Swansea, SA1 1SN About Heroes is powerful, moving Ddu (Black Chair). and thought-provoking drama. www.swanseamuseum.co.uk Staged to commemorate the Film showing – Hedd Wyn, a 1992 First World War, this revival of Welsh anti-war biopic, written by 5 Aug 2017 – 25 Sep 2017 the Clwyd Theatr Cymru Alan Llwyd and directed by Paul production is directed by Tim Poppies: Weeping Window at the Turner. National Assembly for Wales Baker, and co-produced by Followed by re-enactment/talk on The Riverfront and Flying Bridge Y Senedd, Wales, Cardiff, CF99 1NA Passchendaele and Hedd Wynn Theatre. The Production will open www.assembly.wales/en with Rod Hughes and Swansea pals. at the Pleasance Edinburgh and The iconic Weeping Window then tour Wales and England in installation, made up of over Autumn 2017. 10,000 ceramic poppies, will adorn 21 Aug 2017 – 7 Oct 2017 the front of the Senedd – the Not About Heroes home of the National Assembly Flying Bridge Limited, Riverfront SEPTEMBER 2017 for Wales – from 5 August to 25 Theatre Plus Welsh Tour, September 2017. 7 Sep 2017 11:00am – 28 Nov 2017 Newport NP20 5:00pm The installation will form part www.flyingbridgetheatre.co.uk of the Assembly’s four-year World War 1: The Home Front Not About Heroes is a stunning programme to mark 100 years The Canal Wharf, Powys, Welshpool, since the First World War. stage-play, charting the unique friendship of the Great War Powys. “It is a great honour for the poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Continuing Powysland Museum’s Senedd, and the National Sassoon. It supposes their influence programme of exhibitions Assembly, to host this iconic on each other’s poetry, which commemorating the First World installation,” said Llywydd together, they used to defy the War, the 2017 displays will look (Presiding Officer), Elin Jones AM. wartime censors and inform the at the Home Front and how the “The Senedd is the focal point of British public of the atrocities people of Britain coped with Welsh civic and political life and it committed on the front line in their the demands of the war and the is fitting that we mark the sacrifice name. absence of so many young and able-bodied men. made by so many Welshmen In 1917 both were patients during World War 1 by hosting this in Craiglockhart Hospital in For more information follow the poignant piece of work. Edinburgh, Owen suffering museum on Facebook or contact “The installation has played from shell-shock and Sassoon, a the museum via email a central role across the UK in decorated war hero, now a public [email protected] commemorating this brutal conflict.

(background image) Battle of Polygon Wood. Troops of the 10th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, drawing bombs at Clapham Junction on the Menin Road prior to their attack on Zonnebeke, 25 September 1917. © IWM (Q 5999) 29 The Royal Welch Fusiliers fought Available throughout the year. 9 Sep 2017 – 10 Sep 2017 alongside British Empire and Allied Join the Museum’s project to The Black Chair Festival forces from the Suez Canal to the search for photographs of Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, Wirral surrender of the Ottoman Empire the RWF in WW1. We need www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/yr- at the end of the First World War. your help! The RWF lost Often overlooked, the battles against ysgwrn almost 11,000 men in the First the Turkish Army in Gaza and World War and we wish to A festival to mark a century since Palestine, as well as in Mesopotamia, commemorate them by finding the awarding of the Gadair Ddu were vital to Britain’s wartime photographs of as many as (Black Chair) to the poet Hedd strategy and soldiers from the Welsh we can. Since 2014 we have Wyn during the Birkenhead regiments were in the thick of the collected together almost 2000 Eisteddfod of 1917. action. The exhibition will tell the photographs that have never Visit the Yr Ysgwrn website for story of the RWF during these been together before. further details. campaigns based on the archives and collections of the Royal Welch Contact us on rwfmuseum1@ Fusiliers regimental museum and btconnect.com for details on 9 Sep 2017 - 16 Sep 2017 with important artefacts sourced how you can help. The Black Chair Festival from other museums across the UK. Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd [Final details and exhibition title 11 Nov 2017 10:45am - 11 Nov 2017 still to be confirmed] www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/yr- Service of Remembrance ysgwrn National History Museum, Gwˆyl y Lleuad Borffor (Festival of Sep 2017 St Fagans, Cardiff, CF5 6XB the Purple Moon) will involve a week of activities in Trawsfynydd Visit of the Commonwealth Games https://museum.wales/stfagans/ to mark a century since the baton to Yr Ysgwrn Join the Newbridge community awarding of the bardic chair to Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd as they congregate around the war memorial for our annual one of its most famous sons, the LL41 4UW poet Hedd Wyn, during the 1917 service to remember those who National Eisteddfod in Birkenhead. www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/yr- were lost. The events are being arranged by ysgwrn members of the community in The Commonwealth Games baton Trawsfynydd in conjunction with will be visiting Yr Ysgwrn, home 11 Nov 2017 5:00pm – 11 Nov 2017 Yr Ysgwrn - Hedd Wyn’s home - of the poet Hedd Wyn, who was 7:00pm and the Snowdonia National Park posthumously awarded the bardic Faces of WW1 screening Authority. chair of 1917 having been killed during the Battle of Passchendaele Y Maes – Castle Square, Caernarfon Please visit the Yr Ysgwrn website a few weeks previously. http://museum.wales/stfagans for further details. Please visit the Yr Ysgwrn website The list of almost 11,000 for further details. RWF men who lost their lives 18 Sep 2017 – 06 Jan 2018 in the First World War will be projected on Caernarfon’s Castle The Road to Damascus: The Royal Square (Y Maes) on Saturday Welch Fusiliers, the Middle East NOVEMBER 2017 11th November 2017. The and the First World War 1 Nov 2017 – 30 Nov 2017 projection will also include many Wrexham County Borough Museum WW1 RWF Faces Project photographs of the Fallen. & Archives, Regent Street, Caernarfon Castle, Castle Ditch, Wrexham, LL11 1RB Caernarfon, LL55 2AY www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/ www.rwfmuseum.org.uk/ heritage/

(background image) Battle of Langemark. Distant shell-bursts on Pilckem Ridge, 18 August 1917. © IWM (Q 2738) 30