Raymond Collishaw: Cabin boy to Air Vice Marshal

Part 2. The Russian Campaign Towards the end of WW1 the British government turned its attention to Russia!, as the effects of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917 were being felt throughout the world. It was decided to send troops to Russia to support the White Russian Army led by General von Deniken who…

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Pte Richard T. Clarke. R.W.F. 1897-1916-2001

Born in the St Mary’s area of Brecon in 1897.  He was working in Blaengarw in the Garw valley as a collier in 1914 when he enlisted in the 2nd Batt: Royal Welsh Fusiliers. After his initial training he was sent to France to support his regiment which had been badly depleted because of casualties…

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Football Fines

A serious crime in April 1915…. FOOTBALL FINES Ernest Watts (15), 57 Victoria St, Pontycymmer. David Morgan (16) Amos Wood (15), Prospect Place; Llew Harries, Mount Pleasant, (16),Rees Coles: (15) Garreg Rd; and Daniel Harris (15), Garreg Rd, were each fined two shillings and sixpence ( £10) for having played football in Prospect Place ‘ to…

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Sapper Howard H. Rees (542)

Sapper Howard H. Rees (542) and his letter to his brother D. J. Rees, Pontycymmer P.O. “After a long and favourable voyage from Mudros, we arrived in Alexandria on the 18/12/1915. We laid in the harbour until 10 a.m. then went along side the quay.  I was much struck by the number of ships in…

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Lest We Forget: World War I

Here is a poignant reminder of how the young boys of a hundred years ago were eager to join up, not realising the full horror of what was to happen. Ernest Watts, fined for playing football in the street as recorded on page 2, appears to have been a ‘delinquent child’. He was sent to…

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