Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's War Memorials Project Progresses with Community Support

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing War Memorials project, a significant initiative aimed at preserving and sharing the stories of the brave men and women from our County Borough who fought and sadly lost their lives in conflict.

As part of a £200,000 programme of investment from 2022-2027, the Council's Heritage and Ancient Monuments Officer has been leading a three-year programme to improve local War Memorials by digitising each one. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind at this scale in the UK, aims to digitise the memorials across Rhondda Cynon Taf, making detailed information about the brave men and women who lost their lives in conflict accessible via QR codes placed at each memorial. These codes will link to a new Heritage website, where visitors can learn about the personal stories behind the names.

Volunteers from the local community and schools have been an invaluable aspect leading to the current success of this project, assisting with the research into the lives of thousands of individuals listed across RCT's memorials, working hard to share the stories behind the names. They have gathered relevant information for each individual, including birth and death dates, name of war involved in, rank, service number, war grave location, last known address, and any additional personal details such as family members. A particular note has been made where the individual's female relatives have signed the Women's Peace Petition, and any additional resources such as photographs, documents, or newspaper articles.

To date, the project has involved over 200 dedicated volunteers, resulting in 4 memorials being completed and over 1,200 names researched.

Cllr. Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Armed Forces Champion, said: "I am incredibly proud of the progress made in this project.

"The dedication and hard work of our volunteers have been instrumental in bringing the stories of our fallen heroes to life. This initiative not only honours their memory, but also educates future generations about the sacrifices made for our freedom.

By digitising the war memorials, we are ensuring that the legacy of these brave individuals is preserved and accessible to all. It is a testament to our community's commitment to remembering and honouring those who gave their lives in service to our country."

The Council is honoured to continue developing this project to ensure that the stories of the fallen can be understood and remembered.

Our volunteers have shared some of their progress and experiences so far:

Debra Williams shared: "how fascinating and also a privilege this research is. It begins with what we often perceive as just a name on a memorial, we have all grown up passing them, but then it expands to reveal the human drama; the life of an individual and their family.

"I have found an interesting family background for an individual named on the Abercynon memorial - an RAF Sergeant killed in 1944. He was born in Abercynon in 1921 but the family migrated to Canada in 1926. The father had a bakery in Abercynon but moved this business to Alberta, Canada. I viewed the Canadian census for 1931 which showed the family, including the son who would subsequently join the RAF and be killed fighting for the country of his birth.

"More recently when researching the Pontypridd memorial, I have gained an insight into the role of women in war. A woman, civilian war casualty, who died in 1942 and is buried in Mountain Ash cemetery. She was working in the Aero factory in Filton, Bristol, working on aeroplane parts for the war effort. I found out that there was a bombing raid on the factory in September 1940, she was injured there on September 25^th, 1940, and died at home in Abercynon in February 1942. This lady was 45 when she died. I can only find a reference to her father, so I don't know if she was married or had her own family, but she worked independently for the war effort and gave her life as equally as those who died overseas."

Another volunteer, Karen Olds, has also learnt a lot from the research: "I have been made aware through researching the names on the Pontypridd Memorial that the First World War was not in France and Belgium alone. Battles during the First World War were fought in what was called 'The Asiatic Theatres' which included Mesopotamia, and Iraq. James Robotham and John Wallace Romery are both remembered on the Basra Memorial. I have discovered that men from this area died in battle in the 'Balkan Arena', including Salonika and the Gallipoli campaign.

I have also noticed throughout the research the significance of the ages of the fallen. Some were aged 16 or 17 and had to have permission for a short-term enlistment. Parents would sign a form giving permission for them to enlist. Others were in their 30s, leaving their mining jobs and families for the army, only to die in the fields of Europe or further away in the world."

Lynne Davies has discovered a poignant story relating to the Ferndale Memorial: "The Hardwidge brothers - Corporal Thomas, Lance Corporal Henry and Private Morgan David. All 3 were lost in the war in 1916. Thomas and Henry were both in the Welsh Regiment 15th Battalion and died in the same battle on the same day - 11/07/1916.

"On Christmas Day 1916, their older brother Morgan (also in the Welsh Regiment) was lost. Three women were widowed, and four children left fatherless. Thomas & Henry are buried in adjoining graves in France whilst there's no known grave for Morgan.

Furthermore, Peter Dineen is commemorated in the Pontypridd Roll of Honour. He served in the First World War, dying in September 1919 and leaving his widow and infant son also called Peter. His son would go on to fall in Arras in 1940 and is also commemorated on the Roll of Honour."

Would you like to develop your research skills and learn more about those commemorated on our war memorials? We're looking to recruit more research volunteers to help research the following memorials:

• Cilfynydd
• Hirwaun
• Llanharan
• Miskin
• Penrhiwceiber Clock Tower
• Penygraig
• Tonyrefail
• Ynysybwl

For further information or to register your interest, please contact: Rhian Hall [email protected] or the Armed Forces Team [email protected]

If you would like to learn more about the Council's larger commitment to the Armed Forces and veteran community, please visit: RCT Armed Forces Covenant

Posted on 18/12/2024

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