The Aberdare Leader

Lieut. Windsor Lewis Killed. Information reached Llwydcoed on Saturday morning that Lieut. James Windsor Lewis had been killed in France. Needless to say the sad news caused quite a shock, and there were many people in tears. A list of Mr. Windsor Lewis' good deeds would fill a book. He was an ideal landlord, and to his tenants was generosity personi- fied. There were many old tenants who simply paid a nominal rent for their houses. It was his yearly custom on Empire Day to give a treat to the children of Llwydcoed Schools, but this year, owing to his absence from this country, the celebration took a modified form, and the children gathered to- gether for an Empire lesson instead of the usual festivities. About nine or ten years ago he gave a piece of land to be laid out as a Park, and not only did he give, the land gratis, but it was laid out at his own expense. Tlie Aberdare Council at the time, when the late Col. Phillips announced Mr. Lewis' generous act, recorded in their minutes their deep appreciation of his kindness. .Early in the war, when places of refuge ) were sought everywhere for the fleeing Belgian families, Mr. F. W. Mander got Mr. Lewis' consent to use a num- ber of new cottages at Llwydcoed, and those were let free of charge for a long period. He belonged to the 1st Bat- talion, Welsh Guards, and had been out in France for some time. A letter from him was received in this office about 2 months ago, making a request to have his copy of the "Leader" sent direct to him to the Front, instead of to his London residence. It is now reported that he was killed on Tuesday, June 6th. The late Mr. Lewis was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lewis, Plas- j draw, Aberdare. Mrs. Lewis is a sister to the Bishop of St. Asaph. Lieut. Lewis took part in the South African War. In politics he was a Conserva- tive, and contested the Cleveland Di- vision of Yorkshire in 1909 and 1911, Mr. Herbert Samuel, the present Home Secretary, being his opponent. He was married in 1902 to the daughter of General Gregorie, C.B., and leaves one son and two daughters. The utmost sympathy is felt locally with Mrs. Lewis and children. At Llwydcoed Church on Sunday morning Mr. D. L. Williams lay read- er, referred in the course of his sermon I to the late Mr. Windsor Lewis, and paid a great tribute to his good works in the locality. At the close of the service Mr. Lewis Jones, the organist, played the Dead March." Preaching at Moriah C.M., Llwyd- coed, on Sunday evening, Rev. W. O. Powell referred to the great loss which the locality had suffered by the death of Mr. Lewis. His virtues were many, es pecially his kindness to the poor, but his crowning virtue was that he volun- tarily gave his life for his country. It was obvious that the congregation were deeply affected by their great loss, and many were in tears. How the Gallant Lieutenant Met His Death. After some hours work on the night of June 5th, at 1.40 in the morning of June 6th a company of the Welsh Guards under Mr. Windsor Lewis had just returned to their billets at Ypres. Having seen his men safely in their quarters the deceased officer was mak- ing his way to his own quarters when a shell came across and the young offi- cer met an instantaneous death. He was buried the same day at the Soldiers' Cemetery in the presence of officers and men of his battalion, the Chaplain, the Rev. Thursby Pelham, officiating. The late Lieut. Windsor Lewis was first cousin to Mrs. Lewis, wife of the Vicar of Aberdare. Llwydcoed's Sympathy. Last Monday a mass meeting of Llwydcoed inhabitants was held at St. James's Park. The selection of this spot was appropriate in view of the fact that Mr. Windsor Lewis delivered his last speech at Llwydcoed on the oc- casion of opening the Park. Mr. Rees James presided. The speakers were the Rev. W. S. Davies, Messrs. Frank Hodges, J.P., W. Kenshole, D. Daniel, W. Evans and'D. Phillips. All spo very effectively. Mr. J. E. F. Hodges was deputed to write a letter of condo- lence to the family on behalf of the in- habitants of Llwydcoed. Hymns were sung and prayers were offered. The meeting was characterised with much feeling, and it was evident that the hearts of all present went out is sym- pathy to the aged mother, the young widow and the fatherless children.

Roll of Honour Unveiled at Cwmbach. The unveiling of Cwmbach's second Roll of Honoyr took place at the Work- men's Hall on Thursday evening. The unveiling ceremony was performed by our Junior M.P., Mr. C. B. Stanton, j There was a procession through the village headed bv the Aberaman Silver Band (Mr. R. S. Howells). The village was beautifully decorated with flags and bunting, and a large crowd lined the streets en route to the Hall. The pro- cession was headed by Mr. C. B. Stanton, Messrs. Evan Edwards, secretary; D. G. Pugsley, treasurer, and John Evans, vice- chairman. Then came two lads home from the trenches, namely, Private Howell Moyle and Driver Charles Dennis, who carried the Roll of Honour, which was covered with the Union Jack. Members of the Roll of Honour Com- mittee. R.A.O.B. Lodges: -Blodeuyn Cynon Lodge, namely, Bros. John R. James, C.S., George Watts, C.M., David C. Jones, Evan Davies, Thomas J. Jones, D. J. Williams, J. R. Jones, Thomas Phillips, Moses Price, Richard Lang- ford, Harry Bluebeard, John Cottle, 0. Pherris, Henry Williams, George Maggs, A. Smith and Eben Rees. Ynyslwyd Lodge: Bros. Richard Phillips, Thomas Will iams. W. Lawrence, W. Haings, and Kemerry. Bruce Lodge, Abercwmboi: Bros. David Williams, D. J. Evans, J. V. Howells, A. Morris, George Jones, Austin Weekes, William Phews, W. Davies, Dan Morris, James Rees, J. Jen- kins, and Mark Williams. Then came the National School Choir and the general public. The chairman for the evening was Dr. Murphy, who gave a very impressive speech. The designer of the Roll, Mr. J. M. Shelby James, presented it to the Committee. Mr. Stanton, who gave a stirring address, said that he felt proud to be at Cwm- bach that evening for the simple reason that he had been out to the trenches to see our brave lads from this and other local villages doing their bit for dear old England. (Cheers). According to the Roll of Honour about 400 young men had joined from the village of Cwmbach, five of whom had fallen in action.—On the platform were Mrs. C. B. Stanton, Mrs. J. W. Hurt, Aberdare, and Mrs. (Dr.) Murphy.—On the proposition of Mr. John Rhys James, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. C. B. Stan- ton and Mrs. Stanton. Mr. Richard Phillips seconded. Selections were given by the Band. Songs by the Council School children, conductor, Mr. D. J. H. Jones. Songs, Mr. D. Pennar Williams, Mountain Ash. Pianoforte selo, Miss Gladys Brittain, L.L.C.M., Aberdare. Songs, Miss A. M. Phillips, Cwmaman. Songs, Mr. William Thomas, Aberaman. Chorus, "Patriotic Posies," National School Children, conductor, Mr. J. M. Shelby James. Characters: Britannia, Christie Cheley. England, Eunice Lloyd. Scotland, Maggie Edwards. Ireland, Maggie Dillon. Wales, Emily Morgan. Duetts, Messrs. W. Thomas and D. Pennar Williams. Miss Gladys Brittain sang "Home that is calling me," this being the test piece at Mountain Ash Eisteddfod, where Miss Brittain took first prize. Duett, Miss A. M. Phillips and Mr. D. Pennar Williams, which was very much appreciated. Quartette, "Good Evening," Misses Brittain and Phillips and Messrs. Thomas and Wil- liams. After the unveiling the artistes sang "God save the King," the audience upstanding. On the proposition of Guardian Meth Davies, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, the two lads in khaki, artistes, and the accompanists. Mr. D. G. Pugsley seconded. The accompanists were Misses M. Jones and Katie Evans, and Mr. J. W. Evans, Adv.R.C.M., R.A.M. The following are the names on the second Roll of Honour:—Absolom Cur- now, Daniel Curnow, John Curnow, Samuel Davies, John Davies, James Jones, David Jones, David Lloyd, Wil- liam Henry Morris, William David Richards, William John Williams, and Brychan Williams. a========

An Epistle from Egypt. Appended are extracts from a letter received by Mr. H. King, Tramways I Superintendent, Aberdare, from Motor- man A. Ryann, now Sergeant Arthur Ryann, 1467, 1-lst Glamorgan Yeo- manry, Egyptian Expeditionary i Force: "We are somewhere on the Sahara, hundreds of miles from 'Nowhere/ with a boiling sun shining down con- tinually on us, blinding sand storms, mosquitoes, scorpions, and a hundred of other different torments to impede you in everything you undertake to do. One great thing we have to thank God for is that up to now we have had a goodly supply of water, and should our luck continue for the next couple of months we hope to bring our campaign here to a successful and victorious close. The job we are on is a pretty ticklish one and demands plenty of energy, and that is chasing and rounding up hostile Arab tribes, who through German and Turkish influence have been a source of trouble to both British and Egyptian Forces in this country. What makes it so strenuous is the fact we are still dismounted, j and have only substituted our horses j in some cases with camels. However, a splendid spirit prevails amongst the men, and we jog merrily along towards the day when we return to our homes. Before we came out on the Desert I met many Aberdare and Merthyr boys, who were camping between Alexandria and Cairo, including Joe Low, Ben's brother- j in-law. He had only come out of hospital in Alexandria a few days when I met him. It was a fortunate meeting too, as I was entraining for a town 300 miles along the Nile the following day. The first couple of weeks I came out here (whilst getting acclimatised) I made good in sightseeing and visiting everything of importance in Cairo- Pyramids, Sphinx, and Mosques. It is really a wonderful place and seems to cast a spell over one, so utterly and totally different to any European city, or at least any English city. The first thing one notices particularly is the natives' purpose in doing one," es- pecially a poor British Tommy, whose pocket out here is strictly limited. We have a way of overcoming this difficulty by tendering a quarter the amount they ask and skip it. It is now almost 9.30 a.m. My word, the heat is terrific, being 120 degrees in the shade. Personally I am fairly well sheltered. Outside everything is getting a move on. I can just see patrols disappearing over the sky line. Men are loading camels with watertanks, some filling, some lounging about awaiting their relief. Some are sleeping, having just returned from guard; others singing. We settle down to another day of toil, or rather to another seene in this great drama, little knowing what may be our fate by to-morrow's dawn."

Presentation to Trecynon Soldiers. At Heolyfelin (B.) on Thursday evening a reception tea was given in honour of Driver Alfred Davies, R.E., and Private David Edwards, R.E. The trayholders were: Mrs. Humphreys, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. S. Jones, Mrs. S. Harris, Mrs. Hughes, and Mrs. D. Jones. The supervisor was Mr. David Davies. Cutters, etc., Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Davies, and Mrs. Owen; Messrs. David Thomas, Ben Harris, Lewis Samuel, Willie Davies, and Mrs. Sarah Jenkins. Ticket collectors, Dick Evans and D. James. Organisers, Misses E. Evans and L. Mathews. Programme: Pianoforte solo, Lizzie A. Jones. Re- citation, Doris Llewelyn. Song, Katie Lewis. Duet, piano and tubephone, F. Bevan and L. Mathews. Song, Edith Evaiio. The presentation of a fountain pen was made to Private D. Edwards and Driver Alf. Davies by the Rev. Cynog Williams. Both soldiers suitably re- sponded. Recitation, William Jenkins. Song, Cissie Davies and friends. Mandoline solo, John Evans. Song, Jennie Davies. Penillion, D. Griffiths. Song, Fred Bevan. Octette, William Jenkins and party. A vote of thanks was proposed and seconded by the. chair- man, Mr. Gwilym Rees and the Rev. Cynog Williams to all who helped to make the above a success. Miss Edith Evans sang "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." The secretary was Mr. T. Bevan.

Glyn Neath Soldier's End. News is to hand of the death in action of Private Willie Thomas, R.W.F. He was only 22 years of age, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas, White Hart Terrace, to whom the deepest sympathy is extended. The following is a copy of a letter, dated June 3rd, from G. D. Ellis, his captain: Dear Mrs. Thoniis,-On behalf of the Officers, N.C.O.'s and men of 'C' Coy. I wish to express our deepest sympathy in your loss. W. Thomas was one of my best bombers, self-reliant, fearless, and devoted to his work. A call for volunteers for any hazardous enterprise brought him out at once. In one of these he fell, much to our regret. His platoon feel his loss very acutely on account of his genial nature. He lies buried in a British cemetery behind the firing line. God grant you His com- fort in your sorrow." There is also a letter from a sergeant belonging to the same regiment. In it he states He died a brave man, and let this console your bleeding hearts, friends. Better that he died a brave soldier on the field of battle than to be in prison as a con- scientious objector."

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