22/10/1914

ENCOURAGING PROGRESS OF THE ALLIES

VICTORIES ON LAND & SEA

BELGIUM STILL THE COCKPIT

06/08/14
13/08/14
20/08/14
27/08/14
03/09/14
10/09/14
17/09/14
24/09/14
01/10/14
08/10/14
15/10/14
22/10/14
29/10/14

AMMANFORD'S ‘Nos Da' FROM THE TRENCHES. WRITTEN UNDER FIRE. Pte. Joe Finch Maintains a Cool Head and a Kind Heart. P1

A letter written actually under fire has been received by Mr. W. Finch, of Pontyclerc House, Ammanford, from his brother, Private Joe Finch, of the 1st Shropshire Light Infantry, who is well known locally. Although the conditions were far from favourable for letter writing, a perusal of the copy sent shows that Private Finch kept a cool head, and “aerial navies grappled inn the central blue, “while the penmanship under the circumstances is exceedingly creditable, and proves that he is not subject to “nerves.” He has a kind thought for his widowed mother, and others of his relatives and friends, particularly his little nieces. The letter reads as follows :- Dear Will, – I now take much pleasure in writing you these few lines in reply to your kind latter of to-day, hoping this will find you, Sarah and the children in the very best of health, as the same leaves me at present. Dear Will, I was very sorry to hear of Maud being so unwell, but I hope she is by mow quite herself again. As I have not had any pay since three days before I left England, I have not any chance to write home until I get more of those army pay cards like the one I sent you. So I should be very pleased if you would let mother know that I am quite well at the time of writing to you. We shan’t get any more pay now till we come home again, but for myself, I don’t mind, as we could not spend it the trenches. But I would like to send mother some. However, as we don’t draw any I cannot send any. I hope mother will be alright again till I come back, that is, if I am fortunate enough to do so, which I hope I shall do, even for the sake of that rhubarb and elderberry wine you have got there, and also for a bit of Sarah’s Xmas pudding. I hope you will be able to make out this scribble, as I am writing it in the trenches, with shells flying over all the time, both English and German, as well as plenty of aeroplanes. As you said about my always being a first-class shot, I think I can still take a good aim, especially when the target is a German. I got four bulls and a centre in five rounds practice at the range in Ireland (Eh?). Dear Will, many thanks for this sheet of paper and envelope which you sent. Please give my love to all at home, and tell mother that if I get the chance of obtaining a sheet of paper I will writ her a few lines. Please give my kind regards to Dai, and Bess, to P. Rees and to all the boys in the yard of Messrs. Lloyd Bros. Dear Will, I think I have said all, everything, now so I will draw to a close with ever fondest love and best wishes to all – Nos da. In a postscript he adds: This letter I received to-day, Sept. 25, was posted in Pantyffynon on the 12th. So you see we don’t them very often. I hope the next will come alright. He sends kisses to his nieces, “with love from Uncle Joe

ANXIOUS TO GET TO THE FRONT. P1

Pte Brinley Richards, an employee of the Ammanford Foundry, who is now undergoing training with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Seaford, writes to a member of our staff as follows :- Things are going on very well here just now, only the weather has changed, and we cannot do a great deal of work, although we have to drill out in it until we are we to the skin. We get three parades a day – one at 6.15; 9.30; and – 2.15 until 4.30, and a night march every other night for about two hours. Sometimes we get one all night. But as I say, the weather has changed and we cannot go out much in the rain. I do not know what they are going to do with us. I expect they have something in their heads which we do not know, nor will know for a while. It is not likely they will keep us here without finding something for us to do. We have heard it said that we are going back to Eastbourne as they have a large drill-hall there. I hope that is right. Eastbourne is a fine place. Our experience there was quite a holiday. It is just like Blackpool, only not so large – but more “swankie.” It will not be long ere we shall be ready to go out to the front. If the weather had kept a little better we would be out there in about a month. I expect it will take us a little longer now. We have had a some really fine training and we feel like going now if we had the chance more, than ever. The captain the other day wanted to know how many were willing to go back to Wrexham to train, so that we should be able to go straight away. What do you think! We all put our hands up. He did not expect that. So now we have all got to stop here. I expect they will now send each company back in turn. As I am in ‘A Company’ I shall be among the first. When it will come off I do not know as they have such a lot there as it is. We are all willing to go anywhere. Here we cannot by anything, either for love, or money, as the shops are so full that we have to wait almost an hour before we can get served with, say, cigarettes. I have been for days without a smoke. We have to be in bed by 9.30 p.m., and after a long march there is not much chance of going out to by cigarettes. So now I get them from a few friends. A soldier’s life is a fine one when you get used to it and is quite a change from civilian life.

INCIDENT OF MOUNTAIN MANOEUVRING.. P1
Mr. Will Lloyd, of Green Meadow, Ammanford, who is undergoing training at Seaford with the Cardiff battalion forming the 11th Welsh Regiment, writes to his brother thus ;- “What do you think of things at the front? The Germans are giving us all the way to go, they are not a long way from us, are they? I expect they will make a mess of Ostend. We had some fun here last night. We were out manoeuvring on the mountains, when we saw some signalling going on not far away. Half the Battalion made for the spot, and when they got there the men had gone. After a while a farm house was on fire, and we found out that the same men had done it. Orders were given to keep under cover. After being out all night we had them. They were twelve German spies. I need not tell you they are now under arrest here. What do you think of that? They say tat there are quiet a number here still, so we are kept on the look out. There was a big Rugby match on here this afternoon between the South Wales Border’s and our lot. We had two officers from the Cardiff Firsts. Consequently, you will not be surprised to hear that we won nine points to nil.”

STOP PRESS FOR WAR NEWS. P1

The British warships have taken effective action against the invaders of the Coast towns. It is stated that they have accounted for 1600 of the Germans.
LAST NIGHT’S OFFICIAL NEWS. PARIS, Wednesday. An official communiqué issued at 11 p.m. states : —
On our left from the North Sea to La Brasse a violent battle has bee in progress during the day. According to the latest news the Allies are holding their own everywhere – Reuter.

AMMANFORD SOLDIERS IN TRAINING. STRENUOUS, BUT GLORIOUS LIFE. P1

Mr. W. T. Davies, the young Ammanford cricketer and footballer, dwells upon his experiences as a “soger,” and of the doings of the Ammanford boys at Farnham in a letter which he has sent to a member of our staff. Davies is attached to the 42nd Field Ambulance. He states: “I have now been a soger six weeks. When in company with another Ammanford chap named Os Williams, I arrived in Aldershot we met at the reporting office David Thomas and Wally Shaw. That night we roughed it a little – we slept underneath an ambulance wagon. It was not quite as comfortable ¬¬as our beds at home, but the experience was quite a novel one. We spent the next few days at the Depot at Aldershot, and were transferred to a part of Aldershot called Redan Hill. We were here only one day, and we were transferred to our present camp. Here at Tweseldown we Ammanford chaps were separated. Os Williams and David Thomas are in the same Ambulance as myself, but we are in different tents. Wally Shaw and Frank Dawson are in the same tent, but in a different field ambulance to us. Camp life is rather strenuous, but is glorious. We Ammanford boys are as happy as mudlarks. The food is good. Our field ambulance is attached to the 14th Division of Kitchener’s 1st Army. We have been told by one of our young officers that is quite possible that we shall be ordered to France in the near future to complete our training. We shall then be housed in the branches evacuated by the French troops. All of us sincerely hope that this will materialise, as it will be so much nearer the front, and all the chaps are aching to do their share and a little over for the ‘Old Country.’ Our work becomes more interesting day by day. At first we did about four or five hours drill, and two hours lectures, but now it is of a much more interesting character. On Sunday some Ammanford chaps came over to see us. They are in the R.F.A., and are stationed at Yewshot Camp, which is quite near. It was quite a pleasant surprise. I have the Chronicle sent me every week, therefore you can see that I am kept well posted up in home news. It is soon circulated amongst the boys from home. We are very interested in the letters from other Ammanford boys in the various camps, and enjoy reading these letters immensely. I meet Will Perry every Sunday afternoon, and we have some decent walks. Last Sunday we visited the hangers and factories at Farnborough. Whilst we were there a very large airship ascended, and headed away for London. Aeroplanes are quite common sight here, and it is nothing unusual to see six in the air at the same time. By the way, if you see a post card of we five boys from Ammanford, for heaven’s sake don’t imagine that I look like it. It has been a huge joke. The chaps in our tent have twitted me a lot about it, and I don’t think I shall ever be allowed to forget it. I have been nick-named the ‘White Hope’ after it. I hope you won’t see it, but a good few have been sent home; therefore, I suppose you will have a glimpse of it with somebody or other. I must cry ’finis’ now as it is getting late.”

FAREWELL CONCERT AT AMMANFORD. Actors who have Assumed more Realistic Role. P8

Among the many who have responded to Lord Kitchener’s appeal are two members of the Ammanford I. O. G. T. Amateur Dramatic Society – Messrs. Ben Johnson and Evan Lewis, who took part in the production of “The Middleman” at the opening of the New Palace Theatre last May. At the close of a meeting of the Dramatic Society held at the Gwestfa Café on Wednesday night, a farewell concert was given in their honour, at which Mrs. R. Hiley Harries, on behalf of the Society presented fountain pens to the members who had enlisted. Mr. Johnson thanked the Society for their kind gift; and on behalf of Mr. Evan Lewis, who had already left that day, Mr. Fred Lewis returned thanks. The following was the programme :-
Pianoforte overture, Miss Edith Hughes, A. L. C. M.
Song, “Somewhere a voice is calling,” Miss Gwladys Davies, A. L. C. M.;
Recitation, a scene from “Henry VIII.,” “Cardinal Wolsey on his fall,” Mr. John A. Hyams;
Song, “Little Irish Girl,” Mr. W. H. Evans;
Song, “There is a land,” Miss Gwladys Davies,
During the items speeches were delivered by the chairman, Mr. R. Hiley Harries, and Mr. D. J. Edwards, and concluded with patriotic songs.

THE HONOUR OF H COMPANY 4 th WELSH. P1
In a communication to the Chronicle a member of H Company, 4th Welsh Regiment stationed at Scoveston Fort levels against the Ammanford people the charge of being “poor patriots.” He states :- I am sorry to say that the community of Ammanford are poor patriots towards the Territorial Army of that locality. Instead of endeavouring to encourage them, they do their utmost to criticise them. If the people of Ammanford have time to go talking of what they know absolutely nothing about, it would be more appropriate for them to do a little towards helping us. It can be done in many ways. Allow me as a member of the above unit to contradict the absurd statements that have been made. I can positively state that the Ammanford Company have the name by their Commanding Officer of being the smartest, and best disciplined company in the 4th Welsh Regt; so I really think that if we satisfy our officers, our own friends should not try to spoils us. We all have light hearts, but how can we be expected to retain them when our own people are trying to deprive us of our honour. It is true several have taken the liberty of returning home, but such trifles do not justify the anonymous statements that have been made. The Ammanford Company will prove that they are capable of keeping the good name they have for the sake of the town which they came.

05/11/14
12/11/14
19/11/14
26/11/14
03/12/14
10/12/14
17/12/14
24/12/14
31/12/14



ENCOURAGING PROGRESS OF THE ALLIES VICTORIES ON LAND & SEA BELGIUM STILL THE COCKPIT
06/08/14 13/08/14 20/08/14 27/08/14 03/09/14 10/09/14 17/09/14 24/09/14 01/10/14 08/10/14 15/10/14 22/10/14 29/10/14	AMMANFORD'S ‘Nos Da' FROM THE TRENCHES. WRITTEN UNDER FIRE. Pte. Joe Finch Maintains a Cool Head and a Kind Heart. P1 A letter written actually under fire has been received by Mr. W. Finch, of Pontyclerc House, Ammanford, from his brother, Private Joe Finch, of the 1st Shropshire Light Infantry, who is well known locally. Although the conditions were far from favourable for letter writing, a perusal of the copy sent shows that Private Finch kept a cool head, and “aerial navies grappled inn the central blue, “while the penmanship under the circumstances is exceedingly creditable, and proves that he is not subject to “nerves.” He has a kind thought for his widowed mother, and others of his relatives and friends, particularly his little nieces. The letter reads as follows :- Dear Will, – I now take much pleasure in writing you these few lines in reply to your kind latter of to-day, hoping this will find you, Sarah and the children in the very best of health, as the same leaves me at present. Dear Will, I was very sorry to hear of Maud being so unwell, but I hope she is by mow quite herself again. As I have not had any pay since three days before I left England, I have not any chance to write home until I get more of those army pay cards like the one I sent you. So I should be very pleased if you would let mother know that I am quite well at the time of writing to you. We shan’t get any more pay now till we come home again, but for myself, I don’t mind, as we could not spend it the trenches. But I would like to send mother some. However, as we don’t draw any I cannot send any. I hope mother will be alright again till I come back, that is, if I am fortunate enough to do so, which I hope I shall do, even for the sake of that rhubarb and elderberry wine you have got there, and also for a bit of Sarah’s Xmas pudding. I hope you will be able to make out this scribble, as I am writing it in the trenches, with shells flying over all the time, both English and German, as well as plenty of aeroplanes. As you said about my always being a first-class shot, I think I can still take a good aim, especially when the target is a German. I got four bulls and a centre in five rounds practice at the range in Ireland (Eh?). Dear Will, many thanks for this sheet of paper and envelope which you sent. Please give my love to all at home, and tell mother that if I get the chance of obtaining a sheet of paper I will writ her a few lines. Please give my kind regards to Dai, and Bess, to P. Rees and to all the boys in the yard of Messrs. Lloyd Bros. Dear Will, I think I have said all, everything, now so I will draw to a close with ever fondest love and best wishes to all – Nos da. In a postscript he adds: This letter I received to-day, Sept. 25, was posted in Pantyffynon on the 12th. So you see we don’t them very often. I hope the next will come alright. He sends kisses to his nieces, “with love from Uncle Joe ANXIOUS TO GET TO THE FRONT. P1 Pte Brinley Richards, an employee of the Ammanford Foundry, who is now undergoing training with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Seaford, writes to a member of our staff as follows :- Things are going on very well here just now, only the weather has changed, and we cannot do a great deal of work, although we have to drill out in it until we are we to the skin. We get three parades a day – one at 6.15; 9.30; and – 2.15 until 4.30, and a night march every other night for about two hours. Sometimes we get one all night. But as I say, the weather has changed and we cannot go out much in the rain. I do not know what they are going to do with us. I expect they have something in their heads which we do not know, nor will know for a while. It is not likely they will keep us here without finding something for us to do. We have heard it said that we are going back to Eastbourne as they have a large drill-hall there. I hope that is right. Eastbourne is a fine place. Our experience there was quite a holiday. It is just like Blackpool, only not so large – but more “swankie.” It will not be long ere we shall be ready to go out to the front. If the weather had kept a little better we would be out there in about a month. I expect it will take us a little longer now. We have had a some really fine training and we feel like going now if we had the chance more, than ever. The captain the other day wanted to know how many were willing to go back to Wrexham to train, so that we should be able to go straight away. What do you think! We all put our hands up. He did not expect that. So now we have all got to stop here. I expect they will now send each company back in turn. As I am in ‘A Company’ I shall be among the first. When it will come off I do not know as they have such a lot there as it is. We are all willing to go anywhere. Here we cannot by anything, either for love, or money, as the shops are so full that we have to wait almost an hour before we can get served with, say, cigarettes. I have been for days without a smoke. We have to be in bed by 9.30 p.m., and after a long march there is not much chance of going out to by cigarettes. So now I get them from a few friends. A soldier’s life is a fine one when you get used to it and is quite a change from civilian life. INCIDENT OF MOUNTAIN MANOEUVRING.. P1 Mr. Will Lloyd, of Green Meadow, Ammanford, who is undergoing training at Seaford with the Cardiff battalion forming the 11th Welsh Regiment, writes to his brother thus ;- “What do you think of things at the front? The Germans are giving us all the way to go, they are not a long way from us, are they? I expect they will make a mess of Ostend. We had some fun here last night. We were out manoeuvring on the mountains, when we saw some signalling going on not far away. Half the Battalion made for the spot, and when they got there the men had gone. After a while a farm house was on fire, and we found out that the same men had done it. Orders were given to keep under cover. After being out all night we had them. They were twelve German spies. I need not tell you they are now under arrest here. What do you think of that? They say tat there are quiet a number here still, so we are kept on the look out. There was a big Rugby match on here this afternoon between the South Wales Border’s and our lot. We had two officers from the Cardiff Firsts. Consequently, you will not be surprised to hear that we won nine points to nil.”	STOP PRESS FOR WAR NEWS. P1 The British warships have taken effective action against the invaders of the Coast towns. It is stated that they have accounted for 1600 of the Germans. LAST NIGHT’S OFFICIAL NEWS. PARIS, Wednesday. An official communiqué issued at 11 p.m. states : — On our left from the North Sea to La Brasse a violent battle has bee in progress during the day. According to the latest news the Allies are holding their own everywhere – Reuter. AMMANFORD SOLDIERS IN TRAINING. STRENUOUS, BUT GLORIOUS LIFE. P1 Mr. W. T. Davies, the young Ammanford cricketer and footballer, dwells upon his experiences as a “soger,” and of the doings of the Ammanford boys at Farnham in a letter which he has sent to a member of our staff. Davies is attached to the 42nd Field Ambulance. He states: “I have now been a soger six weeks. When in company with another Ammanford chap named Os Williams, I arrived in Aldershot we met at the reporting office David Thomas and Wally Shaw. That night we roughed it a little – we slept underneath an ambulance wagon. It was not quite as comfortable ¬¬as our beds at home, but the experience was quite a novel one. We spent the next few days at the Depot at Aldershot, and were transferred to a part of Aldershot called Redan Hill. We were here only one day, and we were transferred to our present camp. Here at Tweseldown we Ammanford chaps were separated. Os Williams and David Thomas are in the same Ambulance as myself, but we are in different tents. Wally Shaw and Frank Dawson are in the same tent, but in a different field ambulance to us. Camp life is rather strenuous, but is glorious. We Ammanford boys are as happy as mudlarks. The food is good. Our field ambulance is attached to the 14th Division of Kitchener’s 1st Army. We have been told by one of our young officers that is quite possible that we shall be ordered to France in the near future to complete our training. We shall then be housed in the branches evacuated by the French troops. All of us sincerely hope that this will materialise, as it will be so much nearer the front, and all the chaps are aching to do their share and a little over for the ‘Old Country.’ Our work becomes more interesting day by day. At first we did about four or five hours drill, and two hours lectures, but now it is of a much more interesting character. On Sunday some Ammanford chaps came over to see us. They are in the R.F.A., and are stationed at Yewshot Camp, which is quite near. It was quite a pleasant surprise. I have the Chronicle sent me every week, therefore you can see that I am kept well posted up in home news. It is soon circulated amongst the boys from home. We are very interested in the letters from other Ammanford boys in the various camps, and enjoy reading these letters immensely. I meet Will Perry every Sunday afternoon, and we have some decent walks. Last Sunday we visited the hangers and factories at Farnborough. Whilst we were there a very large airship ascended, and headed away for London. Aeroplanes are quite common sight here, and it is nothing unusual to see six in the air at the same time. By the way, if you see a post card of we five boys from Ammanford, for heaven’s sake don’t imagine that I look like it. It has been a huge joke. The chaps in our tent have twitted me a lot about it, and I don’t think I shall ever be allowed to forget it. I have been nick-named the ‘White Hope’ after it. I hope you won’t see it, but a good few have been sent home; therefore, I suppose you will have a glimpse of it with somebody or other. I must cry ’finis’ now as it is getting late.” FAREWELL CONCERT AT AMMANFORD. Actors who have Assumed more Realistic Role. P8 Among the many who have responded to Lord Kitchener’s appeal are two members of the Ammanford I. O. G. T. Amateur Dramatic Society – Messrs. Ben Johnson and Evan Lewis, who took part in the production of “The Middleman” at the opening of the New Palace Theatre last May. At the close of a meeting of the Dramatic Society held at the Gwestfa Café on Wednesday night, a farewell concert was given in their honour, at which Mrs. R. Hiley Harries, on behalf of the Society presented fountain pens to the members who had enlisted. Mr. Johnson thanked the Society for their kind gift; and on behalf of Mr. Evan Lewis, who had already left that day, Mr. Fred Lewis returned thanks. The following was the programme :- Pianoforte overture, Miss Edith Hughes, A. L. C. M. Song, “Somewhere a voice is calling,” Miss Gwladys Davies, A. L. C. M.; Recitation, a scene from “Henry VIII.,” “Cardinal Wolsey on his fall,” Mr. John A. Hyams; Song, “Little Irish Girl,” Mr. W. H. Evans; Song, “There is a land,” Miss Gwladys Davies, During the items speeches were delivered by the chairman, Mr. R. Hiley Harries, and Mr. D. J. Edwards, and concluded with patriotic songs. THE HONOUR OF H COMPANY 4 th WELSH. P1 In a communication to the Chronicle a member of H Company, 4th Welsh Regiment stationed at Scoveston Fort levels against the Ammanford people the charge of being “poor patriots.” He states :- I am sorry to say that the community of Ammanford are poor patriots towards the Territorial Army of that locality. Instead of endeavouring to encourage them, they do their utmost to criticise them. If the people of Ammanford have time to go talking of what they know absolutely nothing about, it would be more appropriate for them to do a little towards helping us. It can be done in many ways. Allow me as a member of the above unit to contradict the absurd statements that have been made. I can positively state that the Ammanford Company have the name by their Commanding Officer of being the smartest, and best disciplined company in the 4th Welsh Regt; so I really think that if we satisfy our officers, our own friends should not try to spoils us. We all have light hearts, but how can we be expected to retain them when our own people are trying to deprive us of our honour. It is true several have taken the liberty of returning home, but such trifles do not justify the anonymous statements that have been made. The Ammanford Company will prove that they are capable of keeping the good name they have for the sake of the town which they came.	05/11/14 12/11/14 19/11/14 26/11/14 03/12/14 10/12/14 17/12/14 24/12/14 31/12/14