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.