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A CORRIS HERO.

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A CORRIS HERO. CEREMONY AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH. On Saturday afternoon Corris was alive with khaki clad soldiers and others who hail assembled at this hillside village to pay a last and fitting tribute of respect to the memory of one of her sons who bad died for his country on the African veldt. Private Evan Jones Williams, of the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, was only 23 years of age when he died from a bullet wound after the battle of Bergendal. On that occasion it is recorded that the 2nd Battalion formed the attacking party and carried a most difficult position which was keld with great determination. The loss was heavy, 14 officers and men being killed and over 70 wounded, including Col Metcalfe." Young Williams was shot in the stomach and whilst in hospital was visited by Lord Roberta and General Lyttleton. In sending home the account of his death the Lieutenant of his Company said that a large cross was being raised above the grave of all who fell upon that occasion. At homejthose who knew Williams were also anxious to do something which would be a remembrance of the young soldier, and sufficient money was obtained to purchase a suitably engraved brass tablet. This was placed in the parish Church, and on Saturday a crowded congregation assembled to witness the unveiling by Mr Joseph Hoult, M.P. The church was prettily decorated with Royal Standards, Union Jacks and bannerettes. Over the pulpit was a blue flag having the Irish harp in gold relief, and a Union Jack covered the tablet. Volun- teers belonging to Machynlleth, Towyn and Corris sections of the 5th S.W.B., and a further detach- ment of Welsh Fusilier Volunteers, assembled under the command of Lieut J M Howell (Aber. dovey), and headed by the Corris Brass Band marched to the Church. The service, which was partly in English aad partly in Weltih, was con- ducted by the Rev J Edwards, vicar. Mr J R Dix read the first lesson, and Mr W R Jones presided at the harmonium. The hymns chosen were fully in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion, be- ginning with "Onward Christian Soldiers," "Oli God our help in ages past," Peace, perfect peace and concluding with eve.. with the Lord" Mr Joseph Hoult, M.P., for Wirral, who with his family is staying at Llwyngwern Hall, was asked to perform the unveiling ceremony. Before doing so he delivered a short address. In the first place he had to thank them for having done him the honour of asking him to take the important part in that day's proceedings that they had dona. The cere- mony that day was in honour of a iueighbour-a friend-of a man well known to all of them, who went to South Africa to fight for his country, and there he was killed in the exercise of his duty to his Queen and his country. It was well that they should do honour to that man because by so doing they were doing honour to themselves. That man was one of the first to go to South Africa he passed through the Natal campaign and all of them knew what that meant. The very name of Ladysmith brought to their minds certain very dark days in the month of December nearly two years ago when the weak kneed people of this country owing to the telegrams received recording disaster after disaster to the British arms beeame in a trembling condition. The fainthearted people of the country lost heart, but thank God the majority of Britons throughout the world were neither weak kneed nor faint- hearted and those disasters brought forth such enthusiasm and such patriotic feeling that the world had never before seen. All who responded to the call left everything dear to them to go and fight in South Africa, for what was more dear to them than all-tbe honour of their country. Everyone of those men, bad opportunity and circumstances allowed, would have earned the Victoria cross, for they had the spirit to do it. He did not want to think that auy of those brave men were not led in South Africa by considerate officers-he did not want to think that one British life was sacrificed in South Africa to the incompet- ence of a British officer. It was said that incom- petence was shown by certain officers, but there was no room for incapability on the part of any officer in the British Army. And no matter who the man may, be whether ke stood in a high or low position, rich or poor, that man must go from the British Army. The nation would demand it. Such officers might play if they liked with their own lives, but the nation would not tolerate any British officer who played with the lives of the men in his charge. The soldiers of the Empire must be well and capably led. He felt that he must refer to the exploits of another soldier from Corris, who was in South Africa. He referred to Lieut Edwards, the son of their vicar. He was a man of whom they need be proud, for he was a man of whom the nation could be proud. He was not only daring but he was able. He took his nine men out to attack the Boers whom he defeated without losing one of his men. That was the kind of work they wanted to see their officers doing. Going on to speak of the Army he said that he wanted to see the Volunteers playing a greater part in the Army, and he believed that they would, provided they had a fair epportunity. He believed that he had seen it stated that it was proposed that volunteers should take a month's drill every year. This he thought was going a little bit too far, because they must have regard to the volunteer's position and require" ments. The volunteer gave his Saturday afternoon, but he could not give away his living, and a month's drill would mean a great loss to him. The move- ment should be encouraged, and should be so arranged that the men could enter upon it without loss to themselves. lie would now unveil the tablet which would stand there to the memory of Evan Jones Williams as long as that sacred edifice would last, and he hoped it would always remain there to the honour of those people in Corris who had subscribed the necessary money.—Mr Hoult then veiled the tablet which bore the following inscription under & cross: To the glory of God and in memory of Evan Jones Williams of this parish, a private of the 12nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, who fell in the heroic and victorious charge of that Battalion at the battle of Bergendal in the Transvaal, South Africa, August 27th, 1900. Aged 23 years. This tablet was erected by Public Subscription. The Vicar then spoke in Welsh and eloquently defended the volunteer soldier.

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