Caernarfon Castle World War I tribute planned for those killed in the conflict

See http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/caernarfon-castle-world-war-tribute-10388821

The writing will be on the wall this month when a Welsh Army regiment graphically displays the number of soldiers who fell on the battlefields of the First World War.

The names of nearly 11,000 men who lost their lives are to be projected onto the walls of Caernarfon Castle on Armistice Day - November 11 along with some of their photos.

The projection will begin with the very fitting song - “Bring Him Home” sung by Alfie Boe who recently headlined the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

The Bring Them Home project is the latest event being staged by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum to illustrate the extent of the losses suffered by just one regiment in the 1914-18 conflict.

One RWF soldier killed in action on a Flanders battlefield in 1917 was poet Hedd Wyn.

As well as displaying the names of the Fallen on the walls of the castle, which houses the regimental museum, the organisers hope the event will spur families to send in photographs of family members who died in the war.

Shirley Williams, Museum Development Manager said: “The names of those who fell are marked on war memorials in towns and villages across Wales, but we think this event will help to bring the boys together to show the horror inflicted on just one regiment.

“It’s particularly poignant because we will shortly be marking some of the big battles of the war - like Mametz Wood and the Somme where large numbers from the RWF lost their lives.

“We are also hoping this project will add to the collection of photographs we’ve been compiling of the soldiers who died, which we are displaying at the Museum on the centenary of each man’s death. Currently, we have gathered around one in eight of those who never came home.

“We would dearly love to bring all the boys back together again in pictures if at all possible - and perhaps project their faces on the walls of Caernarfon Castle in 2018 to mark the end of the War”.

Relatives with photographs are being asked to bring to the RWF Museum, Caernarfon Castle or email to rwfmuseum1@btconnect.com where they can be scanned and kept safe for posterity.

The screening has been made possible by HLF funding. Richard Bellamy, Head of the HLF in Wales said, “The centenary of the First World War is an important opportunity for us all to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of all those involved in conflict.

“War memorials remind us of that incredible sacrifice and I am really pleased that National Lottery money is being used to help people to find out more about the people and stories that they represent, in a new and different way.”

Pupils from Ysgol Bontnewydd will be attending the museum on Sunday morning, dressing up in WW1 costume and going over to the War Memorial in Castle Square for 11am.

The Last Post will be played from a castle tower at 11am.

19th OCTOBER 1914 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Start of 1st Battle of Ypres, Belgium, 1914

The 1st Battle of Ypres has been said to have begun when 7th Division (with 1 RWF) met the Germans near Gheluvelt on 19 October. It resulted in the establishment of the Ypres Salient which the British would hold until the final advance of 1918. This battle lasted until 22 November. The 7th Division was reduced to a weak brigade and four battalions, including 1 RWF, had been merged into one.

The military funeral of Pte Mordecai Williams who died 3rd October 1915

All that was left of them

A photo of the original members of 4 RWF. All that was left of "them"', 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, c.1918

PTE ALBERT HILL VC

PTE ALBERT HILL VC 

In August 1914 Albert Hill joined the 10th Battalion, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, as a private. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Delville Wood, part of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His citation read:

For most conspicuous bravery. On 20 July 1916, during the Somme Offensive, when 15280 Private Hill's battalion had been deployed under heavy fire, for an attack on the enemy in Delville Wood, France, the order to charge was given and he dashed forward. He met two of the enemy and bayoneted them both. Later, he was sent by his platoon sergeant, Hugh Green, to contact the enemy, and found himself cut off, being surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant of his company and helped him to fight the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer, Captain Scales, and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted to bring in the mortally wounded Officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finally, he himself captured two of the enemy and brought them in as prisoners. His conduct throughout was magnificent.[1]

He was also a holder of the French Croix de Guerre, the Russian Cross of St. George, and three campaign medals.

25th SEPTEMBER 1915 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Battle of Loos, France, 1915

This was the main British offensive of 1915 and the first time gas was used by them. 1, 2, 4 and 9 RWF were involved. 1 RWF was affected by gas before leaving its trenches and lost over 450 men overall. 2 RWF was in support but had 123 casualties. The 9th Battalion advanced through almost impenetrable wire, gas, and MG fire from both flanks. The CO, three company commanders and the adjutant were killed. Overall casualties totaled 250. The only battalion to have any success was the 1st.

20th SEPTEMBER 1854 – ON THIS DAY IN RWF HISTORY

Sgt Luke O’Connor won VCs at The Alma, Crimea, 1854

During the assault on the Russian lines Sgt Luke O’Connor, although badly wounded, took up the Regimental Colour and, dashing forward planted it on the Redoubt above the Alma River. Sgt O’Connor received the Victoria Cross and was commissioned in the field. O’Connor went on to gain the rank of Major General and served as Colonel of the Regiment before his death in 1915.