AMMANFORD BOYS WITH THE COLOURS.
BECOMING PROFICIENT SOLDIERS. P1
Private B. D. Howells, of the 3rd Welsh Regiment stationed at Cardiff, who will be remembered in Ammanford as the Chronicle football cartoonist, gives us in the course of the following interesting letter a striking account of the progress made by the once “raw” recruits – they have shed that term now – in their training towards becoming proficient soldiers : “Thanks for copy of Chronicle and contents which you sent me. I enjoyed the articles very much, and was delighted to read Abbot Griffiths’ delightfully original description of camp experiences. It must seem awfully dull in Ammanford now that the footballers have joined the Army. That by the way. As you will notice, we are still stationed at Cardiff. It seems that we shall be stationed either here or at Barry until the first week in January, when we are expected to be attached to the Regular 3rd Battalion Welsh Regiment. The 1st and 2nd Battalions are in the fighting line already, as also is part of the 3rd Battalion. From all accounts, we recruits are progressing very rapidly, with regard to picking up knowledge of everything attached to camp life, and our officers inform us that we give a deal less trouble than even the Reservists. “Time for training being very scant, the authorities are endeavouring to teach us in the short time of three months what a soldier in time of peace would be taught in as many years. “Rifle drill having been thoroughly drummed into us, we have had musketry practice, manoeuvres, sham night attacks, outpost and sentry duties, etc, etc. “I have been one of a guard at the Docks this week, which duty as you can imagine, is not “all honey.” One is not allowed to speak to any person when on guard. “To-days programme included trenching. This is reckoned as being the hardest job of all, and I am inclined to think so too. The requirements were : Each man to cut out and dig a trench measuring 5 feet long, 4½ feet deep, and 3 feet wide. Time allowed, 2 hours. Anyhow, we all did our little share in commendable fashion, but were rather sore at the close. Tea and real good wash did much to revive our spirits. “We had a surprise mobilisation last Tuesday week, when the Welsh Regiment, Welsh Horse, Artillery and Cyclists were paraded at Dinas Powis.”

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The Ammanford Council met on Wednesday night, Mr. B. R. Evans presiding over the following attendance of members and officials : Messrs. J. Harries, vice chairman, J. C. Shaw, D. G. Davies, Evan Lewis, Evan Evans, J. Davies, W. Evans, J. Morgans, W. N. Jones, and D. Jones; also the Clerk (Mr. T. M. Evans), Assist. Clerk (Mr. Ernest Evans), Surveyor (Mr. D. Thomas), and the Rate Collector (Mr. T. J. Rees). FINANCIAL POSITION; DISTRICT RATE. The Committees’ estimates for the half year ending March 31st, 1915 were submitted, discussed and passed. That of the Roads Committee came to £1,114 12s. 8d., and the Health Committee £124 18s. the general financial estimate showed an estimated expenditure of £3,223, allowing £700 8s. war contingency (subject to the sanction of the L. G. B.) and £350 credit working balance. A general district rate of 2/6 in the £ was calculated upon. EXEMPTION FROM PAYMENT TO SOLDIER RATEPAYERS. The Finance Committee agreed to recommend that soldiers who are ratepayers in the urban district and now on active service be excused from the payment of rates during the war. The Collector (Mr. T. J. Rees) was instructed to take proceedings for the recovery of all unpaid rates, other than those above referred to, forthwith. Mr. J. Harries wished to have the exemption extended to include the case of sons who were sole supports of their parents and who had enlisted, and the Chairman remarked that that was all taken into consideration, but they thought it better to confine it now to ratepayers alone. Anybody else could be taken afterwards. In moving the adoption of the Finance Committee’s report, Mr. Wm. Evans said there was a 2d, in the £ advance in the general district rate to what it was the last half-year, and that was in view of the fact that they thought something might be done towards providing houses for Belgian refugees out of the public purse. Besides it was expected there would be a reduction in the assessable value for the next half-year in view of the decrease of output at the collieries. Mr. J. Davies seconded and the report was adopted.PROVISION FOR BELGIAN REFUGEES.The question of lodging Belgian refugees was considered. The Chairman said they were all, ---w--- was certain, prepared to do all they could for those who had lost their homes ---w--- their everything in forming a buffer to defend Britain and France from the German tyrant – (hear, hear) – and the least thing they could do was to make them in their present plight as comfortable as possible and maintain them in a deserving manner. (Hear, hear). He mentioned that at a most representative meeting of the Ammanford Relief Committee on Monday night it was decided to urge the Council to take up the matter, and it was the unanimous voice to that meeting that they would be prepared to assist financially and otherwise, so that the Belgians might be honoured for the brave deeds they have done on our behalf. Mr. J. Harries stated that at the meeting referred to there was a clear issue that the Council should provide houses ---w--- everything for the refugees, and , of course any private individual could do likewise. Mr. W. N. Jones: Can we put this on the rate? The Clerk said they could not; they would have to get the sanction of the L. G. B. It was anticipated that no difficulty would be experienced in that direction, and Mr. William Evans declared the Council should fix on a certain sum as the ---w--- to which they would be prepared to go to and, eventually, he proposed that he sum of £200 be voted for the purpose for the next six months. Mr. W. N. Jones seconded. The Clerk said he believed about ---w--- would be sufficient for the maintenance of six families for the period. Mr. D. G. Davies question if it was the intention to vote that amount and spend it if necessary without reference to the public directly. He did not want to be misunderstood in this ---w--- claimed to be as keen as anybody to do what they could for the Belgians. He was quite prepared to put his own hand in his own pocket though not somebody ---w--- but he was not prepared to run the risk of being surcharged unless they had the people behind them. The least they could do was to refer it to a public meeting ---w--- would be money illegally spent ---w--- Clerk could bear him out. Chairman: but the ratepayers must be unanimous. At the meeting of the Committee there was one member for the fifty colliers, and there not a disgruntled voice was raise. As to the ---w--- there is no danger of that as the ---w--- of the L. G. B. would be first to ---w--- ---tained. It is a waste of time. The refugees are huddled up in London, and we want to get them from there forthwith. Mr. D. G. Davies: I fail to see it a waste of time, and it is no use pouring cold water on what somebody else suggested. We have all got our opinions – I mine as well as you have. There would be a waste of time because the public ---w--- Could be called while the application ---w--- the sanction of the Board was being ---w---- Chairman: But supposing the public were not willing what would you do then? Mr. Davies: Not to spend it. ---w--- it is only right. Several Members: they will agree. The Clerk mentioned that the ---w--- would be published the following month and if the public were not agreeable he could take steps in the matter. It was mentioned by several by several tenants that the public were most anxious ---w--- in their power, and that offers of funds as well as houses would be forthcoming. Me W. N. Jones observed that when he mentioned at the meeting of the Relief Committee, which was thoroughly representative of the working classes, that maintenance of about six families would only men a 4d rate, the members were delighted with the idea. Mr. J. Harris added that the ---w--- representatives were appointed at the meetings. The motion to vote the £200 was ---ally carried unanimously, and the committee, consisting of the Chairman, Vice-chairman, as well as the ---w--- five members, Messrs. W. N. Jones, William Evans, J. Davies, was appointed to ---w--- the preparations. The point was raised of whether the committee should have plenary powers, Mr. Evan Evans observed: I hope they understand now their duty. (Laughter). If they do we will certainly give them plenary powers, but I hop they remember the points I raised about approaching people who would be ---w--- houses. Mr. J. Davies: They will appease the Committee, I believe. It was agreed that plenary powers be given.