23/12/1915

OUR LETTER BOX. P2

[ In opening our columns to discussion of local questions, it must be understood that, liberty to correspondents, we do not necessarily agree with every, or any, of the views expressed. – EDITOR.]

ROYAL ALFRED AGED MERCHANT SEAMEN’S INSTITUTION.

To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle

Sir, — When one considers the truly great and heroic part British merchant seamen are taking in the War, their claim upon the generous consideration of all is unquestionably established.
That one of these brave fellows should stand in need of a helping hand when forced by age or affliction to abandon the sea would be, one ventures to affirm, an ingratitude to those to whom as a body Britain owes her commercial prosperity, and to whom to a degree most apparent of late she is indebted for the very daily necessaries of life.
At one time it could be truly said that Britain was the only great maritime nation without a provision for its merchant seamen, but with the establishment of the Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen’s Institution that stigma was removed, and for half a century this great national charity has provided a home or pension for thousands of aged and destitute seamen of the British mercantile marine.
Like many other old-established institutions, the “Royal Alfred” has felt the pinch of war conditions and the competition of the numerous funds for worthy objects arising out of the present national crisis. An earnest appeal is therefore made to Britons in all parts of the world to help the Committee of this old Sailors’ Charity to make good the deficiency and to answer the urgent “signals of distress” from hundreds of hard pressed mariners who have given the best years of their lives in the service of their country.
Contributions kindly directed to the Royal Alfred Institution at 58, Fenchurch Street, London, E. C., will be gratefully acknowledged by — faithfully,

J. BAILEY WALKER,
Secretary.
Christmas, 1915

AMMANFORD EISTEDDFOD FUND. P?

The following letter has been received by Mr. D. J. Davies, secretary of the above fund, from Lance-Corpl. Thomas Twist, who has been totally incapacitated from further service by the loss of his right hand : —
6, Field Street, Ammanford,
Dec. 21, 1915.

Dear Sir, — I shall be very grateful to you if you will kindly thank the Committee of the Ammanford Chair Eisteddfod for their most generous gift of £10, which will be a great help to me at the present moment.

I have tried to do “my little bit” for my country and for Ammanford, and I am glad to think that the people at home have not forgotten me. — Yours very sincerely.
THOMAS TWIST.

LOCAL WARRIORS. P4

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

Photo of Sergt. Clememts Sergt. Clements, R. W. F., who was formerly a clerk at Pantyffynnon Station. He was recently home on leave after being wounded at the Dardanelles.

* * * *

Lce. Corpl. Thomas Twist, of the 1st Welsh, who was unfortunate enough to suffer the loss of his right hand while fighting with his regiment, has returned to his home in Field Street, Ammanford.

It is pleasing to find that he takes his loss philosophically and is quite cheerful.

* * * *

Lce. Corpl. Jack Leyshon, R. F. A., of Ammanford, is home for Christmas leave, the last probably before leaving these shores for the Front.

He will be remembered as one of the most successful full-backs Ammanford Rugby team ever had.

A number of other local soldiers are home for a few days’ holiday



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	OUR LETTER BOX. P2 [ In opening our columns to discussion of local questions, it must be understood that, liberty to correspondents, we do not necessarily agree with every, or any, of the views expressed. – EDITOR.] ROYAL ALFRED AGED MERCHANT SEAMEN’S INSTITUTION. To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle Sir, — When one considers the truly great and heroic part British merchant seamen are taking in the War, their claim upon the generous consideration of all is unquestionably established. That one of these brave fellows should stand in need of a helping hand when forced by age or affliction to abandon the sea would be, one ventures to affirm, an ingratitude to those to whom as a body Britain owes her commercial prosperity, and to whom to a degree most apparent of late she is indebted for the very daily necessaries of life. At one time it could be truly said that Britain was the only great maritime nation without a provision for its merchant seamen, but with the establishment of the Royal Alfred Aged Merchant Seamen’s Institution that stigma was removed, and for half a century this great national charity has provided a home or pension for thousands of aged and destitute seamen of the British mercantile marine. Like many other old-established institutions, the “Royal Alfred” has felt the pinch of war conditions and the competition of the numerous funds for worthy objects arising out of the present national crisis. An earnest appeal is therefore made to Britons in all parts of the world to help the Committee of this old Sailors’ Charity to make good the deficiency and to answer the urgent “signals of distress” from hundreds of hard pressed mariners who have given the best years of their lives in the service of their country. Contributions kindly directed to the Royal Alfred Institution at 58, Fenchurch Street, London, E. C., will be gratefully acknowledged by — faithfully, J. BAILEY WALKER, Secretary. Christmas, 1915 AMMANFORD EISTEDDFOD FUND. P? The following letter has been received by Mr. D. J. Davies, secretary of the above fund, from Lance-Corpl. Thomas Twist, who has been totally incapacitated from further service by the loss of his right hand : — 6, Field Street, Ammanford, Dec. 21, 1915. Dear Sir, — I shall be very grateful to you if you will kindly thank the Committee of the Ammanford Chair Eisteddfod for their most generous gift of £10, which will be a great help to me at the present moment. I have tried to do “my little bit” for my country and for Ammanford, and I am glad to think that the people at home have not forgotten me. — Yours very sincerely. THOMAS TWIST. LOCAL WARRIORS. P4 AT HOME AND ABROAD. Sergt. Clements, R. W. F., who was formerly a clerk at Pantyffynnon Station. He was recently home on leave after being wounded at the Dardanelles. * * * * Lce. Corpl. Thomas Twist, of the 1st Welsh, who was unfortunate enough to suffer the loss of his right hand while fighting with his regiment, has returned to his home in Field Street, Ammanford. It is pleasing to find that he takes his loss philosophically and is quite cheerful. * * * * Lce. Corpl. Jack Leyshon, R. F. A., of Ammanford, is home for Christmas leave, the last probably before leaving these shores for the Front. He will be remembered as one of the most successful full-backs Ammanford Rugby team ever had. A number of other local soldiers are home for a few days’ holiday	SOLDIERS’ CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS. P5 We have great pleasure in recording the success of the Army Christmas Pudding Fund which was initiated by the “The Daily News” and to which our own readers have in a small measure contributed. The full demands of the War Office have been met and enough pudding has been sent to the front for all the armies in the Western expedition (France and Flanders) and the Mediterranean forces (Dardanelles, Salonika, Egypt, Gibraltar and Malta). There remains a small surplus, which is being devoted to the wounded. The total amount of the fund is some £26,000, which represents at least half a million households of every rank in life. His Majesty the King himself subscribed £25. Many scores of tons of tin-plate were used for the tins of many hundreds of tons of pudding. A special steamer took the puddings to France, and the precious cargo was fully insured. LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. P5 The following letter has been received from a cousin by Miss Gwen Evans, Red Lion Hotel, Llandebie : — “I received your most welcome letter and parcel safe to-day, which I am very thankful for. I am writing this letter to you from the firing line. It’s rather quiet here at present, although we had it very hot two days ago. The Germans tried to break through our line, and we repulsed three attacks. The Prussian Guards were the first lot that came up against us, and we had orders not to open fire on them till they were within 30 yards. As soon as they were within that distance to us we opened rapid fire on them, machine guns and rifle fire; we mowed them down. They are piled outside our trench, dead and wounded; it’s a pitiful sight to see. They made two counter attacks in the night, each of them being repulsed. Our reinforcements had come to the first line when they made the two counter attacks, and were well off then and ready for them. I was rather timid on the first attack they made. Five of the men in my section were killed; we were only eight left behind. It was an exciting time for us; in fact, I thought my time was up. We fired at them till we were fairly done up; my rifle was red hot. When they made the second attack our officer said: “Now, my lads, stick it, and fire like hell at them.” Try as they would they couldn’t come to our trench; our machine guns and rifle fire were too deadly for them, and they suffered heavy losses. Well, I am glad now that I was in the firing line. It was just what I longed for, to see them attacking us, as to have a bit of my own back and for my comrades that fell on September 25th in the battle of Loos. I thank God that I have come out safe. It was hell; I can’t call it anything else. What we have got to do and suffer for our country! It’s time for the young men to enlist so as to fill the gaps in battalions out here. If they were only to see the ruined towns and villages of Flanders, and the graves of their comrades alongside of the roads and in the fields, some not buried at all, they wouldn’t hesitate about enlisting. I am glad now that I am doing my bit here. I have been one of the lucky boys so far. This battalion has been cut up three times. We have had eight draughts from Liverpool to fill the gaps up. We are having very bad weather, raining every day, and perishing cold at night. I daresay we will go out of the trenches to-morrow for a rest. We deserve it, as we are done up. I am quite happy and making the best of it. I can tell you I was pleased to-day when the postman came round with letters and parcels. It’s the only bit of comfort we get in the trenches when we get a letter or a parcel from my home. I shared the parcel with my mates, and we all wished you luck, and my God be with you till we meet again. I will draw my letter to a close by wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year when it comes. Give my best love to all.”	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