TOPIC:

WELSH NATIONAL BOER WAR MEMORIALS
Yesterday, while in Cardiff for the rugby, I visited the Welsh National South African War Memorial at Cathays Park.
On returning home I had a shufti through the ABW forum and surprisingly couldn't find a thread describing the memorial.
So here begins another thread if I may.


Location:
CATHAYS PARK,
KING EDWARD VII AVENUE,
CARDIFF,
SOUTH GLAMORGAN,
CF10 3NK,
WALES.

OS Grid Reference: ST18221 76832
Denomination:undefined

Memorial type : composite. Pedestal of Portland stone with a Granite base and bronze figures.
Maker: Albert Toft (Sculptor)
Ceremony: unveiled on 20th November 1909 and attended by General Sir John French (later Earl of Ypres) KO GCB OM GCVO KCMG

The following copied from the Imperial War Museum website :
"Memorial consists of bronze figures on a Portland stone plinth on square base of granite steps with curved front and corner metal lampstands with glass globe. A seated male figure on left (representing war and courage) holds a sword and is leaning against a shield. A seated female figure on the right (representing grief) holds a wreath and is also leaning on a shield. Whole is surmounted by a winged figure of peace holding an olive branch and standing on an orb".
Inscription: TO THE MEMORY /OF THE WELSHMEN WHO FELL IN SOUTH AFRICA /1899-1902/ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION

The IWM website shows conflicting numbers for the number of names recorded on the Stone panels as follows :
799 names of soldiers who died in SA on the memorial for which you can access some very brief information.
817 total names of soldiers who died in SA on the memorial.
0 names of served and returned.
The regiments/units in which the fallen served are also given in detail, a useful reference point.
As you would expect the majority of men served in the South Wales Borderers and the 1st and 3rd VB of the Welsh Regiment (Please see attached images on this post and also the following one. I have reached my 10 image limit for this post).
Now there would be the makings of a good project to research each man named thereon.



The maintenance history of the monument states that Mossfords of Cardiff recut the lettering around 2005/6 at the original request of Cardiff City Council from 1993/5 as the lettering had become illegible.
Sadly, there are currently (2021) signs of erosion due to weathering on some of the uppermost areas of naming on the some of the panels making them difficult to read. I hope that funding is available to provide the necessary remedial work required in the future.
In 1993 it was noted that part of a rose branch had been stolen from the figure of peace (I am sure that should be olive branch!).

The monument is not far out of the town and near to Cardiff Castle at the end of a broad avenue.
Definitely worth a visit whilst in Cardiff.

WELSH NATIONAL BOER WAR MEMORIALS CARDIFF
As mentioned in previous post, please find below some more images of panels bearing the names of the fallen.

The memorial at Merthyr Tydfil is the next one on the list for a visit.

WELCH MEMORIAL CHAPEL,
LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL,
CATHEDRAL CLOSE,
LLANDAFF,
CARDIFF,
SOUTH GLAMORGAN,
CF5 2ED.
WALES.

OS GRID REFERENCE : ST15553 78119



The above image shows the view from the steps as you walk into Llandaff Cathedral via the main entrance. Mounted on the wall to the left hand side are two large brass plaques commemorating the fallen from the South African campaign.



The first plaque is of brass construction with a twining rose border and a nicely detailed dragon to the left, right and bottom edges. The plaque bears inscription as follows :
"THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THE 1ST BATTALION THE WELSH REGIMENT TO THE MEMORY OF THEIR COMRADES WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS OR DISEASE DURING THE CAMPAIGN IN SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902"
As the image above shows, the Roll of Honour is below the inscription and lists 159 names including Captain Dan Lomax. I found two of my QSA recipients on there aswell in Privates W Bishop (KIA Paardeberg) and Ernest Jones(formerly of Cadoxton and died of disease enteric).



Next to the the first plaque, the second one also of brass construction and with similar decorative features bears inscription thus :

"TO THE MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS, NCOs AND MEN OF THE 3RD BATTALION THE WELSH REGIMENT WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION OR DIED OF WOUNDS OR DISEASE IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE BOER WAR 1900-01-02.

---

ROLL OF HONOUR 33 NAMES

---

ERECTED BY THE OFFICERS OF THE BATTALION.
HONOUR THE BRAVE"

There is a stone obelisk within the cathedral grounds which informs the visitor that the cathedral was severely damaged by a landmine dropped by German raiders during the Second World War. One can only assume that these panels were not damaged or were repaired during reconstruction.

The tour is not over yet!
Venture a little further and you will notice a door to your left which leads into the Memorial Chapel of the Welch Regiment.



Here you will find the colours of the regiment draped from the ceiling and a very smart stone wall with battle honours engraved into raised panels in a prominent red script. Among these the battle honour for South Africa.


THE COLOURS


BATTLE HONOUR FOR SOUTH AFRICA

As you can imagine, the battalions other involvements and sacrifice are recorded in various other panels and books of remembrance.

Very much worth a visit if you are in or around the area.

ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS BOER WAR MEMORIAL,
ST. GILES CHURCH,
WREXHAM,
CLWYD,
LL13 8LS.
WALES.

St. Giles Church (Eglwys y Plwyf San Silyn) is located in Wrexham and is easily visited with a public car park (parking metered) making for a convenient 1 minute walk up steps to the entrance (paved areas can be slippery when damp!).
The 800 year old place of worship is built on an elevated position and is an impressive looking building of hard sandstone block construction which has a black tone due to the industrial history of the area where smoke from coal has left it's mark.
The church has recently been granted a 'greater church' classification. A tour of the church will soon have the visitor in agreement!
The importance of the church locally is evident with the very large number of military memorials to be found gracing it's walls.
I will now endeavour to describe the ones relevant to the Anglo Boer War.


View of St. Giles Church from the car park


A more distant view of the RWF memorial.




The memorial to the men of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who died during the Boer War


A close up of one of the fusiliers standing at guard either end of the memorial

I thoroughly recommend a visit to the church to view the memorials and plaques therein. The volunteers and clergy are most welcoming.

I hope to be following this post up with more information on the fallen.

ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS TERCENTENARY WINDOW,
ST. GILES CHURCH,
WREXHAM,
CLWYD,
LL13 8LS.
WALES.



This stunning stained glass window was dedicated to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1989 and is in a central position affording excellent viewing.
As a relatively recently glazed window the colours are vibrant and the battle honours of the RWF can easily be read (though you might not get that impression from the quality of my photography!).
A beautiful and fitting tribute to all who served in the RWF.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE AND ROLL OF HONOUR,
29TH COMPANY (DENBIGHSHIRE) 9TH BATTALION
IMPERIAL YEOMANRY.

ST. GILES CHURCH,
WREXHAM,
CLWYD,
WREXHAM,
LL13 8LS,
WALES.





Located within the church on the wall opposite the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Tercentenary window.
As you will see from the above photo, the plaque is of brass with engraving in a nice black style which can be read reasonably well despite the plaque being some two metres above the floor level. There is ornate engraving to the borders, a decorative roundel to each of four corners and the emblem of the IY above the motto "ICH DIEN".

Below this the inscription:

"IN MEMORY OF

17 MEN NAMED

OF THE 29TH SQUADRON (DENBIGHSHIRE) IMPERIAL YEOMANRY WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA 1900-1902.
THIS BRASS IS ERECTED BY THEIR OFFICERS AND COMRADES"

Please find below the names of the men and some other brief descriptions of their casualty listing, location and medal/clasp entitlement.

LT. J.W.BROADBENT---Killed in action. Gelgenfontein. 24/11/1901. Interred Smithfield. Rolls note that he was also with 22nd (Cheshire) Company IY at some point.
Educated at Rugby and entered the IY in March 1901 with the rank of Lieutenant
Commemrated on North transept Cathays Park, Cardiff.
Christ Church window as J.W.BROADBENT, LATCHFORD, MERSEYSIDE, ENGLAND.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901.

3683 SGT. E.C.SALVIDGE---Died of wounds. Harmonia. 27/12/1901. A Bookkeeper by profession, his brother William received the sum of £37 and 5d from his effects (81955).
Also named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/SA1901.

26688 SGT. HENRY BURTON HEARD---Died of disease. Aliwal North. 19/07/1901. Interred Blockhouse 138.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901.

3677 FARRIER SGT. R. BAGLEY---Died of disease. Springfontein. 04/01/1902. Interred Springfontein. Monument 5. Deceased Soldier's Effects (93912) shows he was born in Market Drayton, Shropshire. His effects of £154 6 shillings and 11d were received by his father John.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.

33917 FARRIER SGT. J. LOWE---Died of disease. Little Vaalbank. 22/05/1901. Interred Springfontein. Monument 5. Deceased Soldier's Effects (93913) show a total of£23 3 shillings and sixpence were distributed between mother Mary A. Lowe, brothers Henry and Charles, sisters Alice and Sarah J.
QSA with clasps CC/SA1901.

32056 CORPORAL J.EDWARDS---Died of disease. Springfontein. 08/01/1902. Interred Springfontein. Monument 5.
Named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1903.

3635 LANCE CORPORAL O. ROBERTS---Killed in action. Abraham's Kraal. 13/12/1900. A butcher by trade.and shown in the rank of Corporal on other documents. Mother Ann was shown to be legate for the estate of £7 8 shillings and 9 d.
Named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/SA1901. The last clasp is an assumption based on comrades awards in the absence of medal rolls record.

1466 LANCE CORPORAL J. OR T. DICKENS---Died of disease. Springfontein. 20/07/1901. Interred Springfontein. Monument 5.
Named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.

3708 SHOEING SMITH J. GRIFFITHS---Died of wounds. Quaggafontein, nr. Bloemfontein. 12/12/1901. Interred President Avenue, Bloemfontein. Monument 1.
Effects (81956) left to father John amounted to £17 6 shillings and 10 d.
Also named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS......SA1901?

3614 PRIVATE G. GOODWIN. Died of disease. Jagersfontein. 27/07/19000. Interred Jagersfontein. Monument 2.
Also named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS.......SA1901?

3619 PRIVATE H.M. NIGHTINGALE---Killed in action. Taaibosch. 19/02/1901. No record of interment so possibly buried at his site of death. Named on monument at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
Deceased Soldier's Effects (81958) describes Henry Matthias Nightingale as a butcher from Bala. His estate of£15 10 shillings and 8 d was left to mother Grace, brothers Edward and Robert William and sisters Sarah A. and Elizabeth C.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS ....SA1901?.

3669 PRIVATE J. SAMPSON---Died of injuries (Watt 2000) Died of wounds 29th IY Medal Roll). Taaibosch and De Aar. 12/02/1901. Interred De Aar. Monument 1. Also commemorated on Welsh National Boer War Memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
Deceased Soldier's Effects (81959) states that Private Sampson was born in Devon and was a groom. His sum of £18 5 shillings and 8 d was received by his father James.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/SA1901.

28246 PRIVATE G. WILLIAMS---Died of wounds. Mandesfontein. 21/05/1901. Interred Germiston, Primrose..
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.
Please note numbered 26685 on the 29th IY Medal Roll. I believe to be this man named on the plaque.
Named on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.

20625 PRIVATE W. GOSTAGE. Died of wounds. Leeuwfontein.29/12/1901. Interred Treuerfontein. Monument U2.
At the time of his death it would appear that he may have been seconded/attached to the 16th (Worcestershire) Company 5th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry (Watt 2000).
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SS1901/SA1902.

20630 PRIVATE L.B. PERKINS---Died of disease. Elandsfontein. 11/05/1902. Interred Germiston, Primrose.
Commemorated on the memorial at Cathays Park, Cardiff.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.

34752 PRIVATE D.P. CONWAY---Died of disease. Harrismith. 13/03/1902. Interred Harrismith Town. Monument 2.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.

34703 PRIVATE J.A. SNELL---Died of disease. Springfontein. 14/11/1901. 29th IY Medal Roll has second initial as 'W'.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.

APPENDIX
35019 PRIVATE J. CARTER. Died 15/01/1902.
QSA with clasps CC/OFS/TV/SA1901/SA1902.
The above mentioned soldier is listed on the Medal Roll for the 29th IY but is not named on the plaque at St. Giles and no record exists in either Watt(2000) or Hayward (1982).