Community comes together to mark war memorial centenary

A service on Saturday (27 July) was organised by the Royal British Legion, Kidwelly’s Civic Society and Kidwelly Town Council.

Huge crowds turned out for the ceremony which followed the order of service held when the memorial was originally dedicated on 26 July 1924.

Dignitaries attending included the Mayor of Kidwelly, Carl Peters-Bond, Chair of Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Handel Davies; Dame Nia Griffith MP; Chairman of the Royal British Legion South Wales, Mr Tom Brown and the Mayor of Pembrey and Burry Port, Cllr Michael Thomas.

The service was delivered at the war memorial itself by members of all of the local churches, led by Father Jim Flanagan from St Mary’s with readings by Rev’d Cannon Bryan Witt, Rev. Ian Simms and Deacon Kathy Hays.

Wreaths were laid by dignitaries, representatives of the armed forces and Mrs Janet Davies on behalf of the families of the fallen.

Kidwelly Town Mayor, Cllr Carl Peters-Bond said: “It was a moving ceremony, and an honour to be part of a moment in history. The town’s war memorial is a prominent reminder of the sacrifices that people from our community made as part of our armed forces during the two world wars.

“It must have been so raw for the families in 1924 when the memorial was originally dedicated following the Great War. We know now that it was not the ‘war to end all wars’ and members of our community continue to put themselves in harms way to protect our country and way of life as part of the armed forces.

“It was very poignant to hear the names of the fallen read out by schoolchildren from the three schools in the area – Ysgol y Castell, Ysgol Gwenllian and Ysgol Mynyddygarreg. It was also wonderful to see so many people coming together to mark this special centenary.”

Kidwelly Branch RBL, Chairman – Mr Trevor Elliott said “The support from the community was fantastic, it was great to see so many coming together to mark the centenary. I would especially like to thank those who travelled from across Wales and wider to mark the occasion including members from the 3rd Btn Royal Welsh, The Royal Tank Regiment and those carrying standards for the Royal British Legion.”