16/12/1915

THE AMMAN VALLEY CHRONICLE and EAST CARMARTHEN NEWS P?
The time limit under Lord Derby’s Scheme has expired, and the county is anxiously and even curiously waiting the result of this appeal to the patriotism of the eligible young men throughout the land. This we may expect to be informed of in the course of the next few days, but in the meantime speculative opinion is of two kinds – one that the result will be found entirely satisfactory, and the other that the single young men have altogether failed to raise to their responsibility and enrol in sufficient numbers to obviate recourse to more compulsory methods.
It is idle for Mr. Ll. Williams to suggest in Parliament that sufficient information of the scheme has not been published in the rural districts of Wales. The details have been, we venture to say, the topic of discussion in the most remote parts of the country during the past two or three weeks, and those who have mixed with the young men and listened to their views could not fail to come to the conclusion that all the real volunteers had long ago enlisted, and that those who have recently enrolled have done so under what they believe to be compulsion, more or less.
It has been openly said by many that they refuse to attest, because they consider the present rush for enrolment has been merely in order that the majority of them may have an opportunity to appeal to the Local Tribunals, and not with any desire to serve the country.
They themselves would rather wait until they are forced to go into the Army and take their chance. There is a good deal to be said for this view, as anybody will agree who has seen the reluctance with which numbers of those who have en-----------------------------------------------

LLANDEBIE. P?

Lord Derby’s recruiting scheme has proved a huge success amongst the business men of the village.
Hardly an eligible is left unattested. The younger men of the industrial class are lamentably lagging.
The loyal railwaymen have joined : — Mr. John Phillips, signalman, who has 22 years’ service;
Mr. A. W. Sawford, signalman; Mr. C. D. Saer, checker; and Mr. T. Lewis, shunter.

There are only two eligibles left on the staff.

OUR LETTERBOX P7

“WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?”

To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle

Sir, — Your correspondent, “Mark Time,” in your last issue asks the above question, and adds that the question is being daily asked.
But assuming that the reference is to the desolating war now being waged from the North Sea and the Baltic to the Persian Gulf, it is disappointing, after reading nearly half a column of pointless twaddle, to find that he evades or avoids all reference to the question; and, like Socialists generally, the writer runs off on another scent.
Some fourteen or more months ago, the Prime Minister, without ambiguity or equivocation, stated before the most critical assembly in the whole world what we are fighting for, and I cannot believe that it is possible for any man of ordinary intelligence, with an honest desire to know the truth, not to know that, in the words of Mr. Asquith then and on subsequent occasions, that we are fighting for the sanctity of treaties, the rights of small nationalities, the securing of an invulnerable Franco-German frontier, and the destruction of the military domination of Germany – a Power that has for many years been a menace to the peace of Europe and the world, and which within the last fifty years has waged no less than four aggressive wars in Europe, and which since the close of the Franco-German War of 1870-71 has been a growing menace and danger to her neighbours and the world generally.
Had we at the beginning of August, 1914, delayed even for twenty-four hours taking the steps we did take, the Germans would have crossed the Marne, and would, within a short time, have invested Paris, and the Berlin programme would have become an accomplished fact. But fortunately the makers of that programme had counted the chickens before they were hatched.
The British met the Germans at Mons; but being out numbered by at least four to one, they had to retreat, but not before they had prepared what turned out to be a complete and brilliant victory to the Marne, from which the Germans have not yet recovered.
Stopping the Germans in August, September, October, 1914, has effectually prevented the devastation of the property of the leaseholders of the Amman Valley, among many others, for many a long day. British land laws, though mainly made by landowners, are preferable to those of the Germans. Besides, we are fighting in order to secure peace to the cultivators of the soil – for security for the cultivators to reap and enjoy the fruit of their labour, and for liberty for the peaceably disposed citizens to sit under their own fig and olive trees unmolested, none daring to make them afraid.

GWYNFAN-FAB.

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT P6
BURIED UNDER EARTH.

Gunner David Williams, R. F. A., whose brother Sergt. Wm. Williams, of Margaret Street, was killed in the Dardanelles some months ago, writing to his parents states : —

“Once more I am writing to you from the sound of the shells and bullets of death. Sorry for being so late in answering your letter and parcels. Everything you have sent me I have had safe, and many thanks for the same.
Yes the winter is with us now, worse luck. Yes, we have seen a bit of it the last few weeks, but I am glad to say all the boys are sticking to it a treat.
Well I am writing to all in one letter, as our time here is short for writing. Please excuse me for not writing last week; the truth of it is I have been knocked about a bit week after week.
I have been up the trenches where Evan was taken prisoner. I have been sapping for our captain. A few days ago I was buried with earth from a ‘Jack Johnson.’ The same night the Germans turned a machine gun on me, and a piece of a whiz-bang hit me on the leg, but, thank God, I am all right, bar a few marks.
The last week I read a letter from Ammanford stating there were a few hundreds of young men still in the billiard rooms of Ammanford. If they only knew one inch what their brothers have got to go through out here, they would soon come out to get I over.
Well, the last two or three weeks my teeth have been set for revenge for the death of my beloved brother and for what I have seen out here. During six months of it I have seen sights that have made me think of my dear mother and sisters.
Yes, young men of Wales, how can you go about like you are? Think, and come and follow your brothers for the good cause.
I must now finish writing, as in half an hour’s time I must go up to the trenches; but one thing I must tell you. What we want most out here is underclothing pants, shirts, &c.
Remember me to all my friends, and tell Fred Jenkins I had his letter all right. Trusting this will find you all in the best of health the same as myself.”

DISTRICT NEWS P4
SMOKERS

A very successful smoking concert was held on Wednesday last week at the Castle Hotel in honour of Stoker W. Williams, to whom a substantial amount of money was handed over.

The chair was taken by Councillor R. Thomas, and the accompanist was Mr. Geo. Davies. A most enjoyable evening was spent.

* * * *

On Friday, another concert was held in honour of Private J. Phillips, and this was again well patronised, and a good sum collected.

The chairman was Mr. J. Williams, and the accompanist, Mr. G. Davies.

* * * *

On Saturday, Private Edmund Edwards was honoured with a concert, and a very satisfactory amount was collected and handed over to him.

Mr. J. Williams presided, and Mr. G. Thomas acted as accompanist to the singers, who contributed an admirable programme.

* * * *

-------check to see if there is a previous paragraph?

A special Jewish service was held at the residence of Mr. M. Cohen, on Sunday, at which an appeal was made by the Rabbi, and by Mr. Cohen, for contributions to the local Red Cross Fund.

A sum of £1 10s. was subscribed, and a cheque for that amount was subsequently handed by Mr. Cohen to Mrs. T. M. Evans, the secretary.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. P4

Some misapprehension appears to have arisen, fostered, no doubt, by the letters signed “Subscriber” which have appeared in our correspondence columns, in reference to the object and intention of the promoters of the recent War Eisteddfod held in Ammanford, and the ultimate destination of the fund raised thereby.
The money, which is now lying in the bank in the name of trustees, is not and never was intended to be distributed among soldiers returning home on furlough, convalescent from wounds, received at the Front, but for the relief of those who unfortunately are totally incapacitated from following their employment by reason of the loss of a limb or limbs. This, everyone will admit, is a far more worthy object, and likely to be of greater benefit to the recipients, than if frittered away in small monetary gifts to those who are not so seriously injured.
The fund is not a large one, but it forms the nucleus of what ought, if the local people do their duty, to be made somewhat more adequate for the object in view, and some means out to be found, either by the holding of another eisteddfod or other function to augment it.
We feel sure the original promoters of the fund are not overlooking this necessity, and they do well not to transfer the money to the Committee inaugurated by the Urban Council, which almost at its inception seems to have passed out of existence.

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT P6
CHASED BY A SUBMARINE.

Quartermaster-Sergt. T. F. James, of the Welsh Regiment, has written an interesting letter in reply to one he had received from Mr. John Lewis, J. P., Ammanford, while waiting in France to embark for the Balkans. He says : —

“We left the fighting line in France some time ago, and after a few days and nights in the train (goods van) we arrived at a large French seaport in the Mediterranean. The good ship that brought us here was a fast ocean-going liner. The sergeants of our battalion were berthed in first class cabins. The voyage in the Mediterranean was simply delightful. On more than one occasion we were chased by a submarine, but thanks to the speed of the vessel and the seamanship of the captain we got clean away.
Never in my life did I feel more proud to be a Britisher than the morning we arrived at a port here, the name of which I cannot disclose. The presence of our battleships, with the Union Jack floating in the breeze, gave us all a feeling of confidence.
Our Allies out here are making a great stand. I believe the assistance given by our country arrived when they were in the height of their trouble. The country here is wild and mountainous; the mountains towering into the heavens are wrapped in snow.
We are at present in camp on a mountain side, having been for a time sleeping out in the open, which, I assure you, is very cold. The pursuits of the people are mainly connected with agriculture, which is very poor; ploughing is done by oxen, and the carrying of goods is done by donkeys and mountain ponies.
This country seems to be a thousand years behind the times. Naturally our love for and appreciation of the homeland was always great, but since we have left, this appreciation and love have gone up beyond bounds, and to use a soldier’s words, ‘England is England still, and worth fighting for.’
“It is Sunday to-day. We have had an open-air service, in which three other Welsh Regiments joined in. As one would expect, the singing was good, the hymns being heartily sung. I follow with considerable interest the news of home in the local paper. Ammanford has done well. I sincerely hope that Lord Derby’s Scheme will be brought to a successful issue.
There are a number of Ammanford boys in the various Welsh Regiments out here. I used to meet these boys very often in France while going to the trenches; they have given e a call since we are out here, and we often have chats about old times. There are several Ammanford boys in my company. Naturally, I am their friend at all times, and I do all I possibly can for them.
There are several assistant schoolmasters in the battalion, two of whom are sergeants in my company. Little did I think when we used to get lessons in geography in the old class-room that such countries we would visit in an Army fighting for right and liberty. Doubtless, if a roll was made of the boys of the Ammanford schools who are with the Colours, a creditable list could be compiled.”

* * * *

LLANDEBIE BOYS ALL WELL P7
The following letter has been received by the Editor of the Amman Valley Chronicle from Driver D. W. Lewis, R. F. A., with the Army in France : —

“Just a few lines to let you know how the boys of Llandebie and district are going on at the front.
We have been in action over six months, and glad to say that we are still going strong. We have had six days rest since we have been out here, and we come out again in January for a few days.
All the time we have been in action we have been very lucky. We have only a few killed and wounded, but we have had some narrow shaves, shells dropping only a few yards from our guns, and we have had a taste of gas, too. It made our eyes water as if we were crying, but we came over it all right.
We have seen many awful sights since we are out here, villages smashed to bits; and it is a pity to see the women and children roughing it only a few thousand yards away from the firing line. I think we will make the Germans suffer for this, as we have got them well lapped now. For every shell they send over they get three back, and when the fine weather comes they’ll have to start their way back to Germany. We can’t do much just yet, as we are having rotten weather, raining every day, and we are sticking it well.
I have come across many of the gallant boys from the district, and they are all well and in the best of spirits, and we only hope that we will be able to come back to the district again.
There are a few of the boys in the Brigade, viz : —

Gunner W. H. Walters, Gunner Thomas, Gunner Hanson, Driver Thomas, Driver T. Jones, and they all wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all.”

DISTRICT NEWS P4
SMOKERS
A concert was given at the Dynevor Arms, Pantyffynnon, on Thursday evening last, for Sergt. Clements, R. W. F., who was formerly a clerk at Pantyffynnon Station, and was on leave after being wounded in the Darndanelles.

There was a good attendance, over which Inspector T. Jones presided. A capital programme was gone through, the singers being Messrs. Holder, Sounds, E. Taylor, Macnamara, J. Walters, Thomas, Davies, and Styles. Mr. Thomas, Walter Road, Ammanford, was the accompanist.

During the evening Sergt. Clements was presented by Mr. D. Thomas, foreman on the railway, with a silver wristlet watch; by Mr. W. A. Jones, checker, with a purse of silver; and by Mr. D. L. Thomas with a box of cigarettes. Mr. Carruthers, Quay Street, Ammanford, also sent a box of cigarettes.

In responding for the gifts, Sergt. Clements expressed his sincere gratitude, and said he had always a warm corner in his heart for Pantyffynnon. He was very proud of the appreciation shewn to him, which he little expected.

To him there was no place like Pantyffynnon, and he had always taken advantage of his leave to come back, first with one stripe, then with two; afterwards as a sergeant, and now as a wounded soldier

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman on the proposition of Mr. Griffiths, clerk at Tirydail, seconded by Mr. Williams; also to the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Rhys Owen, on the proposition of Inspector Jones.

A telegram was read from Mr. D. Jones, station-master, who was on holiday at Tewkesbury, expressing his inability to be present.

* * * *

A reception was held on Friday night last, at Seion, Tirydail, to welcome Private Leonard Booking, R. F. A., and Private Rees Evans, 1st Welsh, Mr. T. W. Lewis, manager at Tirydail Colliery, presiding.

Songs were sung by Mr. Sam Jenkins, Mr. Jos. Phillips, Mr. Tom Evans, Mr. Stanley Evans, Mr. Roch, and Miss Evans and Mr. Edwards recited.

Presentations were made of a pipe to Private Evans and a cigarette case to Private Booking.



07/01/15 14/01/15 21/01/15 28/01/15 02/09/15 09/09/15 16/09/15 23/09/15 30/09/15 07/10/15 14/10/15 21/10/15 28/10/15	THE AMMAN VALLEY CHRONICLE and EAST CARMARTHEN NEWS P? The time limit under Lord Derby’s Scheme has expired, and the county is anxiously and even curiously waiting the result of this appeal to the patriotism of the eligible young men throughout the land. This we may expect to be informed of in the course of the next few days, but in the meantime speculative opinion is of two kinds – one that the result will be found entirely satisfactory, and the other that the single young men have altogether failed to raise to their responsibility and enrol in sufficient numbers to obviate recourse to more compulsory methods. It is idle for Mr. Ll. Williams to suggest in Parliament that sufficient information of the scheme has not been published in the rural districts of Wales. The details have been, we venture to say, the topic of discussion in the most remote parts of the country during the past two or three weeks, and those who have mixed with the young men and listened to their views could not fail to come to the conclusion that all the real volunteers had long ago enlisted, and that those who have recently enrolled have done so under what they believe to be compulsion, more or less. It has been openly said by many that they refuse to attest, because they consider the present rush for enrolment has been merely in order that the majority of them may have an opportunity to appeal to the Local Tribunals, and not with any desire to serve the country. They themselves would rather wait until they are forced to go into the Army and take their chance. There is a good deal to be said for this view, as anybody will agree who has seen the reluctance with which numbers of those who have en----------------------------------------------- LLANDEBIE. P? Lord Derby’s recruiting scheme has proved a huge success amongst the business men of the village. Hardly an eligible is left unattested. The younger men of the industrial class are lamentably lagging. The loyal railwaymen have joined : — Mr. John Phillips, signalman, who has 22 years’ service; Mr. A. W. Sawford, signalman; Mr. C. D. Saer, checker; and Mr. T. Lewis, shunter. There are only two eligibles left on the staff. OUR LETTERBOX P7 “WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?” To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle Sir, — Your correspondent, “Mark Time,” in your last issue asks the above question, and adds that the question is being daily asked. But assuming that the reference is to the desolating war now being waged from the North Sea and the Baltic to the Persian Gulf, it is disappointing, after reading nearly half a column of pointless twaddle, to find that he evades or avoids all reference to the question; and, like Socialists generally, the writer runs off on another scent. Some fourteen or more months ago, the Prime Minister, without ambiguity or equivocation, stated before the most critical assembly in the whole world what we are fighting for, and I cannot believe that it is possible for any man of ordinary intelligence, with an honest desire to know the truth, not to know that, in the words of Mr. Asquith then and on subsequent occasions, that we are fighting for the sanctity of treaties, the rights of small nationalities, the securing of an invulnerable Franco-German frontier, and the destruction of the military domination of Germany – a Power that has for many years been a menace to the peace of Europe and the world, and which within the last fifty years has waged no less than four aggressive wars in Europe, and which since the close of the Franco-German War of 1870-71 has been a growing menace and danger to her neighbours and the world generally. Had we at the beginning of August, 1914, delayed even for twenty-four hours taking the steps we did take, the Germans would have crossed the Marne, and would, within a short time, have invested Paris, and the Berlin programme would have become an accomplished fact. But fortunately the makers of that programme had counted the chickens before they were hatched. The British met the Germans at Mons; but being out numbered by at least four to one, they had to retreat, but not before they had prepared what turned out to be a complete and brilliant victory to the Marne, from which the Germans have not yet recovered. Stopping the Germans in August, September, October, 1914, has effectually prevented the devastation of the property of the leaseholders of the Amman Valley, among many others, for many a long day. British land laws, though mainly made by landowners, are preferable to those of the Germans. Besides, we are fighting in order to secure peace to the cultivators of the soil – for security for the cultivators to reap and enjoy the fruit of their labour, and for liberty for the peaceably disposed citizens to sit under their own fig and olive trees unmolested, none daring to make them afraid. GWYNFAN-FAB. LETTERS FROM THE FRONT P6 BURIED UNDER EARTH. Gunner David Williams, R. F. A., whose brother Sergt. Wm. Williams, of Margaret Street, was killed in the Dardanelles some months ago, writing to his parents states : — “Once more I am writing to you from the sound of the shells and bullets of death. Sorry for being so late in answering your letter and parcels. Everything you have sent me I have had safe, and many thanks for the same. Yes the winter is with us now, worse luck. Yes, we have seen a bit of it the last few weeks, but I am glad to say all the boys are sticking to it a treat. Well I am writing to all in one letter, as our time here is short for writing. Please excuse me for not writing last week; the truth of it is I have been knocked about a bit week after week. I have been up the trenches where Evan was taken prisoner. I have been sapping for our captain. A few days ago I was buried with earth from a ‘Jack Johnson.’ The same night the Germans turned a machine gun on me, and a piece of a whiz-bang hit me on the leg, but, thank God, I am all right, bar a few marks. The last week I read a letter from Ammanford stating there were a few hundreds of young men still in the billiard rooms of Ammanford. If they only knew one inch what their brothers have got to go through out here, they would soon come out to get I over. Well, the last two or three weeks my teeth have been set for revenge for the death of my beloved brother and for what I have seen out here. During six months of it I have seen sights that have made me think of my dear mother and sisters. Yes, young men of Wales, how can you go about like you are? Think, and come and follow your brothers for the good cause. I must now finish writing, as in half an hour’s time I must go up to the trenches; but one thing I must tell you. What we want most out here is underclothing pants, shirts, &c. Remember me to all my friends, and tell Fred Jenkins I had his letter all right. Trusting this will find you all in the best of health the same as myself.” DISTRICT NEWS P4 SMOKERS A very successful smoking concert was held on Wednesday last week at the Castle Hotel in honour of Stoker W. Williams, to whom a substantial amount of money was handed over. The chair was taken by Councillor R. Thomas, and the accompanist was Mr. Geo. Davies. A most enjoyable evening was spent. * * * * On Friday, another concert was held in honour of Private J. Phillips, and this was again well patronised, and a good sum collected. The chairman was Mr. J. Williams, and the accompanist, Mr. G. Davies. * * * * On Saturday, Private Edmund Edwards was honoured with a concert, and a very satisfactory amount was collected and handed over to him. Mr. J. Williams presided, and Mr. G. Thomas acted as accompanist to the singers, who contributed an admirable programme. * * * * -------check to see if there is a previous paragraph? A special Jewish service was held at the residence of Mr. M. Cohen, on Sunday, at which an appeal was made by the Rabbi, and by Mr. Cohen, for contributions to the local Red Cross Fund. A sum of £1 10s. was subscribed, and a cheque for that amount was subsequently handed by Mr. Cohen to Mrs. T. M. Evans, the secretary.	NOTES OF THE WEEK. P4 Some misapprehension appears to have arisen, fostered, no doubt, by the letters signed “Subscriber” which have appeared in our correspondence columns, in reference to the object and intention of the promoters of the recent War Eisteddfod held in Ammanford, and the ultimate destination of the fund raised thereby. The money, which is now lying in the bank in the name of trustees, is not and never was intended to be distributed among soldiers returning home on furlough, convalescent from wounds, received at the Front, but for the relief of those who unfortunately are totally incapacitated from following their employment by reason of the loss of a limb or limbs. This, everyone will admit, is a far more worthy object, and likely to be of greater benefit to the recipients, than if frittered away in small monetary gifts to those who are not so seriously injured. The fund is not a large one, but it forms the nucleus of what ought, if the local people do their duty, to be made somewhat more adequate for the object in view, and some means out to be found, either by the holding of another eisteddfod or other function to augment it. We feel sure the original promoters of the fund are not overlooking this necessity, and they do well not to transfer the money to the Committee inaugurated by the Urban Council, which almost at its inception seems to have passed out of existence. LETTERS FROM THE FRONT P6 CHASED BY A SUBMARINE. Quartermaster-Sergt. T. F. James, of the Welsh Regiment, has written an interesting letter in reply to one he had received from Mr. John Lewis, J. P., Ammanford, while waiting in France to embark for the Balkans. He says : — “We left the fighting line in France some time ago, and after a few days and nights in the train (goods van) we arrived at a large French seaport in the Mediterranean. The good ship that brought us here was a fast ocean-going liner. The sergeants of our battalion were berthed in first class cabins. The voyage in the Mediterranean was simply delightful. On more than one occasion we were chased by a submarine, but thanks to the speed of the vessel and the seamanship of the captain we got clean away. Never in my life did I feel more proud to be a Britisher than the morning we arrived at a port here, the name of which I cannot disclose. The presence of our battleships, with the Union Jack floating in the breeze, gave us all a feeling of confidence. Our Allies out here are making a great stand. I believe the assistance given by our country arrived when they were in the height of their trouble. The country here is wild and mountainous; the mountains towering into the heavens are wrapped in snow. We are at present in camp on a mountain side, having been for a time sleeping out in the open, which, I assure you, is very cold. The pursuits of the people are mainly connected with agriculture, which is very poor; ploughing is done by oxen, and the carrying of goods is done by donkeys and mountain ponies. This country seems to be a thousand years behind the times. Naturally our love for and appreciation of the homeland was always great, but since we have left, this appreciation and love have gone up beyond bounds, and to use a soldier’s words, ‘England is England still, and worth fighting for.’ “It is Sunday to-day. We have had an open-air service, in which three other Welsh Regiments joined in. As one would expect, the singing was good, the hymns being heartily sung. I follow with considerable interest the news of home in the local paper. Ammanford has done well. I sincerely hope that Lord Derby’s Scheme will be brought to a successful issue. There are a number of Ammanford boys in the various Welsh Regiments out here. I used to meet these boys very often in France while going to the trenches; they have given e a call since we are out here, and we often have chats about old times. There are several Ammanford boys in my company. Naturally, I am their friend at all times, and I do all I possibly can for them. There are several assistant schoolmasters in the battalion, two of whom are sergeants in my company. Little did I think when we used to get lessons in geography in the old class-room that such countries we would visit in an Army fighting for right and liberty. Doubtless, if a roll was made of the boys of the Ammanford schools who are with the Colours, a creditable list could be compiled.” * * * * LLANDEBIE BOYS ALL WELL P7 The following letter has been received by the Editor of the Amman Valley Chronicle from Driver D. W. Lewis, R. F. A., with the Army in France : — “Just a few lines to let you know how the boys of Llandebie and district are going on at the front. We have been in action over six months, and glad to say that we are still going strong. We have had six days rest since we have been out here, and we come out again in January for a few days. All the time we have been in action we have been very lucky. We have only a few killed and wounded, but we have had some narrow shaves, shells dropping only a few yards from our guns, and we have had a taste of gas, too. It made our eyes water as if we were crying, but we came over it all right. We have seen many awful sights since we are out here, villages smashed to bits; and it is a pity to see the women and children roughing it only a few thousand yards away from the firing line. I think we will make the Germans suffer for this, as we have got them well lapped now. For every shell they send over they get three back, and when the fine weather comes they’ll have to start their way back to Germany. We can’t do much just yet, as we are having rotten weather, raining every day, and we are sticking it well. I have come across many of the gallant boys from the district, and they are all well and in the best of spirits, and we only hope that we will be able to come back to the district again. There are a few of the boys in the Brigade, viz : — Gunner W. H. Walters, Gunner Thomas, Gunner Hanson, Driver Thomas, Driver T. Jones, and they all wish a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you all.” DISTRICT NEWS P4 SMOKERS A concert was given at the Dynevor Arms, Pantyffynnon, on Thursday evening last, for Sergt. Clements, R. W. F., who was formerly a clerk at Pantyffynnon Station, and was on leave after being wounded in the Darndanelles. There was a good attendance, over which Inspector T. Jones presided. A capital programme was gone through, the singers being Messrs. Holder, Sounds, E. Taylor, Macnamara, J. Walters, Thomas, Davies, and Styles. Mr. Thomas, Walter Road, Ammanford, was the accompanist. During the evening Sergt. Clements was presented by Mr. D. Thomas, foreman on the railway, with a silver wristlet watch; by Mr. W. A. Jones, checker, with a purse of silver; and by Mr. D. L. Thomas with a box of cigarettes. Mr. Carruthers, Quay Street, Ammanford, also sent a box of cigarettes. In responding for the gifts, Sergt. Clements expressed his sincere gratitude, and said he had always a warm corner in his heart for Pantyffynnon. He was very proud of the appreciation shewn to him, which he little expected. To him there was no place like Pantyffynnon, and he had always taken advantage of his leave to come back, first with one stripe, then with two; afterwards as a sergeant, and now as a wounded soldier A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the chairman on the proposition of Mr. Griffiths, clerk at Tirydail, seconded by Mr. Williams; also to the host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Rhys Owen, on the proposition of Inspector Jones. A telegram was read from Mr. D. Jones, station-master, who was on holiday at Tewkesbury, expressing his inability to be present. * * * * A reception was held on Friday night last, at Seion, Tirydail, to welcome Private Leonard Booking, R. F. A., and Private Rees Evans, 1st Welsh, Mr. T. W. Lewis, manager at Tirydail Colliery, presiding. Songs were sung by Mr. Sam Jenkins, Mr. Jos. Phillips, Mr. Tom Evans, Mr. Stanley Evans, Mr. Roch, and Miss Evans and Mr. Edwards recited. Presentations were made of a pipe to Private Evans and a cigarette case to Private Booking.	04/11/15 11/11/15 18/11/15 25/11/15 02/12/15 09/12/15 16/12/15 23/12/15 30/12/15