Cymdeithas Treftadaeth Eglwyswrw a'r Fro

Eglwyswrw and District Heritage Society

Gartref
Home

War Graves of Somme and Flanders.

June 2019 / Mehefin 2019.

Beddau Rhyfel Somme a Fflandrys.

 

Cymraeg / Welsh.

Bu aelodau o Gymdeithas Treftadaeth Eglwyswrw a’r Fro, yn ogystal â ffrindiau, ar daith byth-gofiadwy yn ddiweddar, i ymweld â beddau a chofgolofnau’r sawl sydd wedi eu henwi ar gofeb pentref Eglwyswrw.
Treuliwyd dwy noswaith yn Arras yn y Somme, Ffrainc, a dwy noswaith yn Yprès yng Ngwlad Belg. Rhoddwyd torch fawr ar pob bedd a torch fechan ger pob cofgolofn, y torchau wedi eu gweithio gan aelodau Clwb Crefft a Chlonc, Eglwyswrw. Ar y diwrnod cyntaf, yn ogystal â mynwentydd o ddiddordeb i drigolion Eglwyswrw a’u ffrindiau, aeth y grwp i Goedwig Mametz. Yma ym mis Gorffennaf 1916, yn ystod y frwydr am Mametz Wood anafwyd dros 4,000 o Gymru. Dyluniwyd y gofeb, sy'n drawiadol tu hwnt, gan Dave Petersen o San Clêr.
Dydd Mawrth, ar ôl ymweld â Chofeb Arras, teithiwyd ymlaen tua Gwlad Belg, gan aros eto mewn mynwentydd a chofgolofnau perthnasol i'r pentref neu i gyd-deithwyr. Mynychodd pawb wasanaeth y Menin Gate y noson honno.
Dydd Mercher, mi ddaeth cyfle i ymweld a bedd Hedd Wyn, ble darllenwyd cerdd R. Williams-Parry 'Hedd Wyn', gan Bronwen Davies, a cherdd Hedd Wyn, 'Rhyfel', gan Meilyr Tomos.

Arhoswyd am beth amser hefyd yn Parc Cofio'r Cymry gerllaw, mae'r Gofeb hyn ar ffurf Cromlech, y cerrig wedi eu cludo o chwarel ger Pontypridd, a’r ddraig goch wedi ei chreu gan Lee Odishow uwchben. Gwaith Malcolm Gray o Dyddewi yw'r llechen o'i blaen, wedi'i arysgrifio yn Gymraeg, Saesneg a Fflemeg, ynghyd ag arwyddluniau gatrawd ar y meini hirion yn rhestr y tu ôl i’r Gofeb.
Buom yn ymweld a Mynwent Milwrol Almaeneg ger Langemark, man gorwedd 44,000 o filwyr Almaeneg.

Roedd yn foment yn fawr i Dave Mathias a’i wraig Jan, yng nghwmni dau aelod o’r Gymdeithas Treftadaeth, wrth iddynt gael yr anrhydedd o gymryd rhan yn y gwasanaeth swyddogol yn y Menin Gate.

Gosodwyd dorch gan Dave i gofio ei ddatcu, Idris Mathias a anwyd yn Eglwyswrw. Mae’r gwasanaeth yn digwydd yn Menin Gate am 8 o'gloch y nos pob diwrnod o’r flwyddyn gyda’r ‘Post Olaf’ yn cael ei swnio gan aelodau o'r Gwasanaeth Tân.
Er gweld miloedd o feddau rhyfel, rhyfedd oedd clywed bod trigolion lleol yn dal i ddod o hyd i weddillion milwyr mewn gwahanol fannau, a hynny dros can mlynedd yn ddiweddarach. Bu angladdau milwrol i dri milwr yn y dyddiau roeddwn yn yr ardal, dau o Brydain ac un o Ganada. Mae'n beth cysur i'w teuluoedd eu bod, o’r diwedd, wedi cael cydnabyddiaeth ac angladd barchus.
Diolch i Gaynor Jenkins a Will Thomas am drefnu'r daith, ac i Shôn (Midway) am ein cludo ar hyd rhai ffyrdd hynod o gul ac anodd o un mynwent i’r llall yn gyfforddus ac yn ddi-ffwdan. Cafwyd amser hwylus iawn gan bawb.

Ni â'u cofiwn.

 English / Saesneg.

Members of Eglwyswrw and District Heritage Society, and friends, made an unforgettable trip to visit the graves and memorials of those named on the Eglwyswrw village War Memorial.
Two nights were spent in Arras in the Somme, France, and two nights in Yprès in Belgium.
A large wreath was placed on each grave and a small wreath at each memorial, the wreaths were made by members of the Knit and Natter club, Eglwyswrw. On Monday,the first day, as well as cemeteries of interest to Eglwyswrw residents and friends, the group went to Mametz Wood. Here in July 1916, during the battle for Mametz Wood there were over 4,000 Welsh casualties. The monument, which is striking, was designed by Dave Petersen of St. Clears.
On Tuesday, after visiting the Arras Memorial, we travelled on to Belgium, again visiting cemeteries and memorials relevant to the village or to fellow travellers. Everyone attended the Menin Gate service that evening.
On Wednesday, there was an opportunity to visit Hedd Wyn's grave, where the poem ‘Hedd Wyn’ by R. Williams-Parry was read by Bronwen Davies, and Hedd Wyn’s poem, ‘Rhyfel’, by Meilyr Tomos. We also stayed for some time at the Welsh Memorial Park, nearby.
The Memorial takes the form of a ‘Cromlech’, the stones having been transported from a quarry near Pontypridd are topped by a red dragon created by Lee Odishow. The slate in front, inscribed in Welsh, English and Flemish is the work of Malcolm Gray of St Davids as is the regimental emblems on the standing stones at the rear of the Memorial.
We visited the German Military Cemetery near Langemark, where 44,000 German soldiers lay buried. The statue of the Mourning Soldiers having been moved to a new location at the huge cemetery gives a visitor a mournful feeling.
It was a big moment for Dave Mathias and his wife Jan, accompanied by two members of the Heritage Society, as they were given the honour of taking part in the official service at the Menin Gate. Dave laid a wreath in memory of his grandfather, Eglwyswrw-born Idris Mathias. A service takes place at Menin Gate at 8.0pm every night of the year with the 'Last Post' being sounded by members of the Fire Service.
Despite seeing thousands of war graves, it was astonishing that over a hundred years on, the remains of soldiers were still being found in various places by local residents. There were military funerals for three soldiers in the days we were in the area, two from Britain and one from Canada. It is a comfort to their families that they have finally received recognition and a respectable funeral.
Thanks to Gaynor Jenkins and Will Thomas for arranging the trip, and to Shôn (Midway) for transporting us along some extremely narrow and difficult roads from one cemetery to another comfortably and without hassle. A very rewarding time was had by all.

We will remember them.

Lluniau Diwrnod 1 - allan o Arras -

Preifat John Jones, Troedfilwyr - Canada.
MYNWENT HEOL BUCQUOY, FICHEUX IV. C. 34. (bedd).

Is-Gorporal David Griffith EDWARDS.
COFFA POZIERES Panel 42 a 43.

Corporal Evan Owen DAVIES.
GOFFA THIEPVAL Pier ac Wyneb 5 C a 12 C.

Preifat Joseph GRIFFITHS.
ESTYNIAD MYNWENT CYMUNEDOL MESNIL III. C. 10. (Bedd)

Cofeb Gymraeg Mametz.
Brwydr Coedwig Mametz - Fe wnaeth yr 38ain Adran (Cymraeg) baratoi'r ffordd ar gyfer rheoli'r coetir - bron i filltir o led a mwy na milltir o ddyfnder - yng ngogledd Ffrainc. Roedd ei chipio yn allweddol bwysig ym Mrwydr y Somme lle byddai lluoedd y Cynghreiriaid yn ymladd yn erbyn yr Almaenwyr ar ffrynt 15 milltir am bum mis. Yn ystod y pum diwrnod o frwydro gwaedlyd, cafodd 3,993 o filwyr o Gymru eu lladd, eu colli neu eu hanafu, gan achosi i’r rhaniad fethi gweithredu am bron i flwyddyn.

Pryd ganol dydd yn Albert.

Preifat Walter Charles LITTLE.
ESTYNIAD MYNWENT CYMUNEDOL DOINGT I. B. 1 (Bedd).

Preifat Edward Griffith JAMES.
MYNWENT PRYDEINIG 'FIFTEEN RAVINE' . E.4. (Bedd)

Preifat Stephen George PEREGRINE.
MYNWENT FFERM DELSAUX, BEUGNY III. D. 20. (Bedd)

Tour Day 1 Photos- out of Arras -

Private John JONES, Canadian Infantry.
BUCQUOY ROAD CEMETERY, FICHEUX IV. C. 34. (grave)

Lance Corporal David Griffith EDWARDS.
POZIERES MEMORIAL Panel 42 and 43.

Corporal Evan Owen DAVIES.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C.

Private Joseph GRIFFITHS.
MESNIL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION III. C. 10. (Grave).

Mametz Welsh Memorial.
The battle of Mametz Wood - The 38th (Welsh) Division paved the way for control of the woodland - nearly a mile wide and more than a mile deep - in northern France. Its capture was of key importance in the Battle of the Somme where Allied forces would fight the Germans on a 15-mile front for five months. During a bloody five-day battle 3,993 Welsh soldiers were killed, missing or injured, putting their division out of action for almost a year.

Midday Meal at Albert.

Private Walter Charles LITTLE.
DOINGT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION I. B. 1 (Grave)

Private Edward Griffith JAMES.
FIFTEEN RAVINE BRITISH CEMETERY. E. 4. (Grave)

Private Stephen George PEREGRINE.
DELSAUX FARM CEMETERY, BEUGNY III. D. 20. (Grave)
Lluniau Diwrnod 2 - allan o Arras. -

Is-Gorporal Stephen Penry GEORGE.
COFFA ARRAS Bae 10.

Preifat Griffith David JONES.
COFFA ARRAS Bae 6.

Hefyd John Nicholas

Preifat Oliver REES.
COFFA LOOS Panel 77 a 78.

Saper Simon THOMAS.
COFFA LOOS Panel 4 a 5.

Is-Gorporal Thomas Walter THOMAS.
COFFA LOOS Panel 60.

Corporal David Thomas JONES.
MYNWENT TREF BETHUNE V. A. 28. (Bedd).

Preifat Griffith PHILLIPS.
MYNWENT MILWROL RUE-PETILLON, FLEURBAIX I. P. 82. (Bedd)

Pryd ganol dydd yn Armentieres.

Saper James MATTHIAS.
MYNWENT MILWROL LIJSSENTHOEK XXVIII. F. 4A. (Bedd)

Reifflwr Idris MATHIAS.
GOFFA YPRES (MENIN GATE) Panel 51 a 53
Tour Day 2 - Photos - out of Arras. -

Lance Corporal Stephen Penry GEORGE.
ARRAS MEMORIAL Bay 10.

Private Griffith David JONES.
ARRAS MEMORIAL Bay 6.

Also John Nicholas

Private Oliver REES.
LOOS MEMORIAL Panel 77 and 78.

Sapper Simon THOMAS.
LOOS MEMORIAL Panel 4 and 5.

Lance Corporal THOMAS WALTER THOMAS.
LOOS MEMORIAL Panel 60.

Corporal David Thomas JONES.
BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY V. A. 28. (Grave)

Private Griffith PHILLIPS.
RUE-PETILLON MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX I. P. 82. (Grave)

Midday Meal at Armentieres.

Sapper James MATTHIAS.
LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY XXVIII. F. 4A. (Grave)

Rifleman Idris MATHIAS.
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL Panel 51 and 53

Lluniau Diwrnod 3- allan o Ypres. -

Gunner William Mathias JONES.
MYNWENT CHATEAU WOOD POTIJZE G. 6. (Bedd).

Mynwent Artillery Wood, Boezinge, Gwlad Belg
Hedd Wyn (1887–1917), enillydd y gadair farddol ar ôl ei farwolaeth. (Bedd).
Bu farw Gorffennaf 31, 1917 yn nhrydedd Frwydr Ypres - Brwydr Passchendaele. Lladdwyd ar yr un diwrnod hefyd - bardd Gwyddelig E Patrick Ledwidge o Sir Meath.

Mae Parc Coffa Cenedlaethol Cymru yn gofeb ryfel ger Langemark Gwlad Belg,
Cofeb i filwyr Cymru o'r Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf.

Mynwent Almaeneg Langemark - Ychydig i'r gogledd o bentref Langemark - Klerkenstraat.
Bedd torfol i 44,000 o filwyr yr Almaen. Beddau

Preifat John GRIFFITHS,
COFFA TYNE COT, Panel 120 i 124.

Preifat John Herbert LLOYD.
COFFA TYNE COT Panel 72 i 75.

Yn Ypres yn ogystal â Chofeb a Seremoni Menin Gate.

Amgueddfa 'In Flanders'. Yn y Lakenhalle - neuadd enfawr Grote Markt.

Eglwys Gadeiriol Saint Martins.

Eglwys Goffa San Siôr
Dinistriwyd Ypres yn ystod y Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf. Ar ôl y rhyfel ailadeiladwyd y dref yn helaeth ar gost yr Almaen, ailadeiladwyd y brif sgwâr, gan gynnwys y 'Cloth Hall' a neuadd y dref, gan ailadeiladu mor agos at y dyluniadau gwreiddiol â phosibl. Roedd hyn yn bosibl gan fod cynlluniau manwl wedi eu cofnodi ar ddiwedd y 19eg ganrif.


Rhy bell i ffwrdd i ymweld a bedd.
Preifat Bryn Gwyn WILLIAMS,

Bu farw dydd Mawrth, Ebrill 23, 1918 - 18 oed.
MYNWENT MILWROL ETAPLES XXIX. L. 5A

Tour Day 3 Photos - out of Ypres. -

Gunner William Mathias JONES.
POTIJZE CHATEAU WOOD CEMETERY G. 6. (Grave)

Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge, Belgium
Hedd Wyn (1887–1917), posthumous winner of the bardic chair. (Grave).
Died July 31, 1917 at the third Battle of Ypres - The Battle of Passchendaele. Also killed on the same day - E Patrick Ledwidge Irish poet from County Meath.

The Welsh National Memorial Park is a war memorial near Langemark Belgium
for Welsh soldiers of World War One.

Langemark German Cemetery - Just north of Langemark village on Klerkenstraat.
A mass grave of 44,000 German soldiers. Graves

Private John GRIFFITHS,TYNE COT MEMORIAL Panel 120 to 124.

Private John Herbert LLOYD.
TYNE COT MEMORIAL Panel 72 to 75.

In Ypres as well as the Menin Gate Memorial and Ceremony.

The In Flanders Museum. At the huge Lakenhalle (cloth hall) Grote Markt.

Saint Martins Cathedral - Sint-Maartenskathedraal.

St George Memorial Church
Ypres was destroyed during WW1. After the war the town was extensively rebuilt using money paid by Germany in reparations, with the main square, including the Cloth Hall and town hall, being rebuilt as close to the original designs as possible. Due to detailed plans being recorded in the late 19th century.

Too far away to visit.
Private Bryn Gwyn WILLIAMS,

Died Tuesday, April 23, 1918 – Age 18.
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY XXIX. L. 5A.