Photographs of Gwaun-cae-gurwen 22

Disgrifiad

Gwaun-cae-gurwen 22
A WWI postcard contributed by Huw Evans (Feb 2013). It shows members of the 10th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers entrenching practice in Southern England prior to their embarkation to France in 1915
The fresh faced youth holding a pick end, 2nd row from the front next to the gent with the 'bairnsfather moustache' is Huw's grandfather's brother - 15429 Pte Stanley Reginald Protheroe.
Both Stanley and John (Jack) Posthumous Protheroe ( Huw's grandfather) lived in Lyson Rd after the war and Grandmothers brother Fred Mitchell is remembered on the GCG war memorial.
The text on the back of the postcard reads:
"Dear Bro, just a few lines to let you know that I am enjoying alright here. The huts at Candlford ??? been blown down ??? it's a good job well ???
Been here ??? so no more ?? "and "??? mam in a few days" (in the top LH corner)
It is known that 10bn RWF, was stationed at Codford St Mary, Sep - Nov 1914 and then went into billets in Bournemouth.
In April 1915 it went to Romsey and thereafter Aldershot. It landed in France on 27/9/15.
The postmark is Winton, Bournemouth
The postcard was given to Huw by one of Stanleys daughters (now living in Canada) and Huw believes it was addressed to Emrys Davies which would have been Stanley's half brother (son of Evan Davies and Mary Jane Jones/Protheroe).
What we don't know is the exact location of No 15 Cwmdrysin Road, Brynrhos.
Evan Davies did at one time have a poultry farm not far from the Neuadd Farm in Garnant, at the bottom of Heol Doctor.
Further background information regarding the RWF provided by Huw;
The 10th Bn RWF were involved in some major battles during the war - including the one for Delville Wood where they won two VC's.
The Bn was disbanded in Jan 1918 and Stanley joined the 13th Bn RWF which was part of the 38th (Welsh) Division. In which my Grandfather was serving in the Artillery.
A lot of local boys served in the 38th Div as it was raised as a purely Welsh division, part of Lloyd George's proposed 'Welsh Army'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_(Welsh)_Infantry_Division
They were involved in the Battle for Mametz Wood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mametz_Wood_Memorial
And in the attack on Pilkem Ridge ( Passchendaele ) where there is a campaign to raise a memorial to all the Welsh who served in WW1.
https://www.facebook.com/welshmemoria
http://www.centenarynews.com/article/?id=467
A very moving piece of music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJdh1M5PGTg
See profile page for copyright and acknowledgements.

• http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~cwmgors/history/Waun.html (link opens in new window)