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SINGLE MEN AND RECRUITING. P7
IS COMPULSION IMMINENT?
What the result of the Derby Scheme is has not yet definitely transpired. It is, however, fairly clear that the number of single men who have joined is extremely disappointing. Cabinet meetings have been held to discuss the situation, and it appears there is considerable division in regard to the necessity of instituting compulsion upon the shirkers. The Prime Minister is expected to adhere to his pledge to married men.
The Cabinet (says a political correspondent) was faced with the fact that a surprising number of single men of military age in this country have failed to attest under Lord Derby’s Scheme.
Many estimates have been made. One put the number at 400,000, but this is probably under the mark, and the total is more likely to be over the half-million.
This failure on the part of the single men is due to many causes. Many of the total are in starred trades; others, no doubt, are physically unfit; some have dependants; but when every allowance is made there is no doubt – and the supporters of compulsion in the Cabinet have no doubt – that the failure of the single men is large. It is understood that Lord Derby himself is of opinion that his scheme has failed to secure the number of single men who should have come forward. What then, will the Cabinet decide? Mr. Asquith’s pledge, first made in Parliament on November 2nd and reiterated in more definite terms to Lord Derby on November 19th, is the governing factor. The pledge in its later form was as follows : —
Married men are not to be called up until young unmarried men have been.
If these young men do not come forward voluntarily Mr. Asquith will either release the married men from their pledge or introduce a Bill into Parliament to compel the young men to serve, which, if passed, would mean that the married men would be held to their enlistment. If, on the other hand, Parliament did not pass such a Bill, the married men would be automatically released from their engagement to serve.
This pledge and the failure of the single men has led to a Cabinet crisis. There are a number of Ministers who consider that a Bill for compulsion of single men must be introduced into Parliament immediately it reassembles on January 4th and passed as quickly as possible. There are others who remain entirely opposed to compulsion, and even if face of the Prime Minister’s pledge are asking at least for further delay and another chance for the single men. There is good reason for saying that Mr. Asquith is now determined to interpret his pledge in the strictest sense. He admits that those members of the Government who have all along been in favour of compulsion have very loyally been silent as to their views while Lord Derby’s Scheme was on trial, and now their opinions are of the utmost importance.
What those opinions are may be judged by the fact that some of the most prominent Unionist members of the Ministry are likely to resign unless the Prime Minister’s pledge is most strictly interpreted. It should be added that a suggested compromise has been put forward by a group of anti-compulsionists, and it is this: “Let every single man who has not attested be summoned to give his reasons to the local tribunal. This further canvass shall be completed in the briefest possible time –say, a fortnight after the re-assembling of the House of Commons.
When it re-assembles the Prime Minister shall announce to Parliament that it is being adopted, and shall promise that if at the end of it the Cabinet find that the response of the single men is still unsatisfactory, compulsion shall be at once introduced. In the meantime, while this final canvass is proceeding a Bill providing compulsion shall be introduced into Parliament which the Government can bring into force subsequent to the canvass if they so decide.” “Under these conditions,” say this group, which includes one or two Ministers of note, “we will not resign on the introduction of compulsion.” All that need be said of this scheme at the moment is that the compulsionist Ministers as a whole are opposed to further delay. It is doubtful also if Lord Derby would be favourable to a further canvass.
The House of Lords is in a position to exercise great pressure on the Government, for they have not yet passed the Bill to extend the life of Parliament. If the policy of the Government displeases them they may decline to do so at all, in which case this Parliament must come to an end on January 31st, and a General Election.
REVIEW OF THE WAR. P?
THE WAR IN 1915
BY A MILITARY EXPERT.
After
THE WEST FRONT.
Hopes that by the end of the year the enemy would have been driven out of France, if not out of Belgium, have not been fulfilled. Substantially, in spite of the success of the Allies at Neuve Chapelle in March, the advance at Loos in September, which aroused the most optimistic expectations, the French victories in Champagne and the Argonne, the German line remains where it was twelve months ago. We must, however, set against this the highly satisfactory fact that the desperate German attempts to force the Allied line have all failed ignominiously, and that the enemy’s hopes of reaching Paris and Calais have come to nought.
The British and French are now stronger in every respect on this front, and their line may be considered impregnable, while General Joffre is credited with having said that he can break the German line whenever he desires to do so. Except for the great battles already mentioned, the operations have mainly consisted of trench warfare, and the most violent fighting has resulted in a few trenches changing hands.
NEUVE CHAPELLE.
Of such a character was the long struggle in Northern Champagne during February and March, where the French first made use of an overpowering weight of artillery, and in the neighbourhood of Pont a Mousson and in the valleys of the Vosges. Then came Neuve Chapelle, the first great attempt of the Allies to break through the enemy’s line. Their objective was Lille.
Operations were begun by a great artillery bombardment and as a result of terrific fighting on March 10, 11, and 12, the British carried the village of Neuve Chapelle, and advanced more than a mile on a three-mile front. Unfortunately there was a delay after the capture of Neuve Chapelle which prevented the success being pushed to the uttermost. German reinforcements were rushed to the front, and Lille remains in German hands. Our casualties in this battle were 12,811, while those of the enemy were far greater.
A fortnight latter the French captured Hartmannsweilerkopf, a position in the Vosges which had long been stoutly defended by the Germans. In April was fought the second battle of Ypres, which followed on the taking of Hill 60 by the British. The Germans attacked on the 22nd under cover of asphyxiating gases, which they then used for the first time. A French division and a brigade of the Canadians suffered severely. The British were compelled to shorten their line. Not until the 24th of May did the stubbornly contested battle come to an end.
A great French attack begun in Artois in May achieved notable results, our Allies making themselves masters of Soucheg and ---W--- of Lorette.
THE GREAT OFFENSIVE.
The outstanding event on the West during the latter half of the year was the great offensive which began on September 25, after a tremendous artillery bombardment along the whole line, lasting three weeks. The British attacked south and north of La Bassee and at Hooge, the French co-operating around Souches, and also from Champagne to the Argonne. Large grains resulted. The western outskirts of Hulluch, and the village of Loos were carried by the British, who swept over the German trenches on a front of over five miles, penetrating at some points to a depth of 4,000 yards. Notable gains were made at other points. In champagne the French overran the German first-line fortifications on a front of twenty miles, driving the enemy back to the second line, and taking 23,000 prisoners and over 50 guns. The British captured more than 5,000 prisoners and 21 guns.
For several days violent counter-attacks were delivered by the Germans, but the Allies repulsed them and consolidated their gains. This was the first great test of the new British armies. They fought with the courage and resolution of seasoned soldiers. It was generally believed that the long expected advance of the Allies, having now begun in such promising style, would be vigorously continued, but other considerations intervened, the chief of which was the sudden advance of the Austro-German forces against Serbia, combined with the entry of Bulgaria into the conflict. This necessitated the despatch of large bodies of French and British troops to the Balkans, and the armies in the West settled down for the most part once more to trench warfare.
THE EAST FRONT.
Everywhere on the East Front at the beginning of the year matters were going favourably for the Russians. Von Hindenburg was held in the north, in Poland German attacks were furious but ineffective, the Russians were advancing in Galicia, they were through the Bukowina and at the foot of the Carpathians.
In February a great German attack on Warsaw was beaten back, and the Russian advance in Galicia during February and March prospered so well that on March 22, Prsemysl, which had been invested for months, fell into their hands, with 117,000 prisoners and 700 big guns.
The Russians swept on, and during the following month, in spite of the fact that strong reinforcements of German troops had been sent to the a--- of the Austrians, they had won the passes of the Carpathians, and were over the western range, threatening Hungary. It was then that the great enemy offensive began practically all along the line, which compelled the Russians to evacuate Galicia and to retire through Poland for into Russia proper.
At first the main effort was made in Galicia, and by May 11 Field-Marshal Von Mackensen had driven the Russians back to the line of the San, a retreat which necessitated a simultaneous retirement from the Passes of the Carpathians. Stronger in men and artillery, Von Mackensen attacked the Russians on the San at the end of May, and his success to the north of Prsemysl compelled a further Russian retirement and the evacuation of that place, which fell into German hands, an empty fortress, on June 3, General Von Linsengen crossed the Driester forty miles from Lemberg, which was occupied by the enemy, on June 22. The Russians, who had held the city for nearly ten months, retired unbroken.
THE RUSSIAN RETREAT.
In the meantime important events were occurring in the north. The German left was moving towards Riga and threatening -------
great fortresses fell before the powerful German siege guns, and a formidable defence of Vilna failed to save that important city. For some days the retreating Russian army was in grave peril, but once more the retirement was safely effected.
THE TURN OF THE TIDE.
This was in September, and the rapid advance of the Germans caused general dismay though the fact that the Russian armies were still undefeated was a significant and happy factor in the situation. Still, the position was undeniably grave, and there was talk of a dash to Petrograd, though those who feared this failed to give due weight to the circumstances of distance and the difficult nature of the country.
In the north the attack on Riga was vigorously prosecuted, but here von Hindenburg found General Russky pitted against him, and his attempts, again and again renewed, all proved abortive. An attempt by the German Fleet to secure the command of the Gulf of Riga failed, the Russians here winning an important naval victory between August 16 and 21. By October the Germans had been pushed back twenty miles west of Riga, and their determined attempts to envelop Dvinsk have met with no success.
In Galicia, too, the tide turned, the beginning of the improvement happily coinciding with the assumption of supreme command of his armies by the Tsar, the Grand Duke Nicholas having been transferred to the Caucasus. General Ivanoff inflicted severe defeats on the enemy near Tarnopol and on the River Styr in the latter months of the year.
At present there is little movement along the whole of the Eastern Front, the rigours of the Russian winter having caused a suspension of operations.
INVASION OF SERBIA.
Firmly held on the east and west, and blockaded by the British Fleet, Germany and her ally Austria are countries besieged. It was the necessity to break through and to link up with Turkey in the south-east that made the invasion of Serbia a necessity. The plans were well laid.
Strong Austro-German forces were to march on Serbia from the north, while Bulgaria, hitherto neutral, was bribed to attack from the east, thus delivering the treacherous stab in the back which alone made possible the subjugation of our gallant little Ally. On September 30 Field-Marshal von Mackensen was on the Serbian frontier with 250,000 men and 2,000 guns. Two days later Bulgarian forces were preparing to do their part. On October 5 the first landing of French and British troops at Salonika took place.
They had been sent at the request of the Greek government in order to help Greece to fulfil her treaty obligations to Serbia. The failure of Greece to go to the assistance of her neighbour, and the subsequent negotiations between King Constantine and the Entente Powers are recent history and need only be entioned.
The Austro-German invasion was begun on October 6, and three days later the invader entered Belgrade after sanguinary fighting. The Austro-German advance was rapid. The Serbian Army fought with magnificent valour, and might have held up the northern invaders in there had been no enemy on the east. As it was they could only retire, still fighting bravely and keeping their main army unbroken.
A French-British force advancing up the valley of the Vardar checked the Bulgarian advance in this region for a time, but was unable to affect a junction with the retreating Serbian Army. Early in December, the whole of Serbia being by this time subjugated, and the Serbian Army having retreated into Albania and Montenegro, the French and British, attacked by a much stronger force of Bulgarians, were compelled to retire, after fierce fighting, over the border into Greek territory.
THE DARDANELLES.
Many months have gone by since Mr. Winston Churchill said we were within a few miles of victory at the Dardanelles. Those few miles still intervene, in spite of the marvellous heroism of the troops from Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Old Country, who have fought like lions in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.
It is now universally conceded that the attempt to force the Dardanelles by sea without the co-operation of land forces was a mistake, and foredoomed to failure. It resulted in heavy losses, three good ships being sunk by mines on one day, March 18. The necessity for landing an army on the peninsula itself was then realised, but unfortunately the Turks’ had time to prepare their defences, and the landing of the Allied Forces on April 25, the British on the European and the French on the Asiatic side, was only accomplished after terrific fighting, in which our troops displayed a magnificent bravery to which history can hardly furnish a parallel.
On August 6 a fresh landing was effected on the Gallipoli a fresh landing was effected on the Gallipoli coast at Suvla Bay, and “considerable progress” was reported. This landing was in the nature of a surprise, but unfortunately the Turks appear to have got wind of it, and rushed up reinforcements, so that eventually our advance was brought to a standstill.
The fighting was very fierce, and lasted four days and nights. The announcement in October of the return of Sir Ian Hamilton, who had been in command of the Allied Forces in Gallipoli from the beginning, caused much comment. The official explanation was that he was coming home to report. He has been succeeded in Gallipoli by General Sir Charles Monro.
Lord Kitchener paid a visit -------------kensen, who had now swung north, swept over Poland. One after another the----------------
ITALY’S CAMPAIGN.
-----------------
GENERAL BOTHA’S SUCCESS.
In the minor theatres of war brief mention must be made of the brilliant and successful campaign of General Botha, who, after subduing without much difficulty the rebellion in which De Wet and Maritz were leading spirits, advanced with a strong force against South West Africa early in the year. After some brisk fighting he entered the capital, Windhoek, on May 10. The German garrison retreated to the north-eastern corner of the colony, but their position was hopeless, and on July 9 they surrendered, and General Botha was able to announce the addition of a new colony to the Empire. South-West Africa has an area of 322,348 square miles larger than Germany itself.
RETREAT FROM BAGDAD.
There has been an unfortunate set back to the campaign in Mesopotamia, and the British Expeditionary Force, which by the latter part of November had approached to within a few miles of Bagdad, is now back at Kut-el-Amara, on the Tigris, and important place which had been taken by the British two months earlier.
The campaign is under the direction of General Sir John Nixon, and after a brilliantly successful advance, the division under General Townshend arrived at Ctesiphon on November 22. He defeated a much greater force of Turks, and remained in possession of the battlefield. Compelled to retire owing to lack of water, General Townshend was able to remove all his wounded and prisoners, but in the meantime the Turks, who had been heavily reinforced, returned to the attack, and the British were forced to retreat to Kut-el-Amara, more than a hundred miles form Bagdad. General Nixon’Amman Valley Chronicle army is being reinforced, and the advance on Bagdad will be resumed later.
DECISION AT LAST. P?
SINGLE MEN MUST SERVE.
The Cabinet at last appears to have come to a decision that it is necessary for the satisfactory conduct of the war to bring under national service all the single young men, shirkers and others who have abstained from attesting under Lord Derby’s Scheme.
Legal effect is to be given to the scheme by a short Bill which is to be introduced in Parliament next week. This will carry out the resolution arrived at Tuesday’s Cabinet endorsing the pledge given by the Premier that single men of military age shall be called up for service before the married men’s classes are called, and it will transform what has been a moral into a legal obligation, to use Mr. Asquith’s words.
The Bill is short one, and providers, it is understood, for the compulsory enlistment of all men of military age, with provisions giving power to exclude men engaged in reserved occupations, and giving power also to tribunals to grant exemptions from service where good cases are made out and sufficient causes shown. There will also be power to appeal against the decisions of tribunals. The Bill in its present form, it is said, deals with both single and married men of military age, but the latter will not be called up until the single men’s classes are exhausted. There will, in fact, be very little difference from Lord Derby’s Scheme, except that there will be compulsory instead of voluntary enrolment.
P? Before judging the single men who are still hesitating to join the Army the public might well be aware of what a number of the men who hang back consider to be legitimate grievances (says the London “Daily News”)
One common complaint is that the spirit of Lord Derby’s original statement that single men with dependents would be placed in the same position as married men had not been carried out.
It appears that a number of single men with dependents did not attest under the group system because of the ruling that the tribunals could put such men back only ten groups at a time.
While the married man went automatically into his proper group, the single man with dependents had to apply to be put there, and not once only, but perhaps two or three times.
Another reason is the distinction drawn in the matter of pensions between a widowed mother and a wife.
THE AMMAN VALLEY CHRONICLE AND EAST CARMARTHEN NEWS. P?
The decision of the Cabinet to adopt compulsion in the recruiting of single and, probably, married men of military age, is exciting keen discussion throughout the country.
After a long period of his “Wait and See” policy, the Prime Minister has at last come to the conclusion that, in order to redeem his pledge to those married men who have voluntarily come forward to offer their services to the country, it is inevitable steps should be taken to rope in all those slackers and shirkers who have failed in their national duty.
It is understood that the number of single men not attested is, roughly, about 600,000, more than twice the original Army of Great Britain. Even yet there are men, more or less prominent in the political world, who are opposed to the immediate application of compulsion, but even they are obliged to admit that “if it is proved to be necessary to save the country” they will accept it.
Why, to a man of ordinary brains, it is inconceivable how there should have been the least hesitation in putting every available man in the country under training, as soon as Lord Kitchener expressed the opinion that this would be at least a three years war. Men were called to serve three years or until the end of the war, and no doubt many of those who enlisted early never expected to see the firing line, but were just going to have a nice holiday during the summer. But they and those ultra-optimists who predicted the war would be over in six months have had their calculations woefully upset.
Winter succeeded summer, and we are still looking forward, more or less hopefully, to that “drive” which is to be the forerunner of a triumphant march to Berlin. We have learnt something of the devices and fiendish instruments of warfare the Germans are capable of producing and using, and yet such is the squeamishness of our politicians and leaders that they would rather hundreds and thousands of our flesh and blood should be allowed to go to their death, than hasten to adopt adequate retaliative methods.
The man in the street is getting impatient and disgusted, and is rapidly coming to the conclusion that the nation has no real leader. Though we have, as Lord Curzon has said, “learned the extent of the enemy’s resources and although in both respects signs of weakness are visible, we realise that every ounce of effort that we can put forward as individuals and as a nation will be required, and that greater sacrifices and sufferings will have to be endured before the only peace that we cans so much as contemplate appears above the horizon.”
Knowing this, should there be any further messing with the question of compulsion, when there are so many thousands of young men who altogether refuse to recognise their duty to the State? Surely, it is time that every effort should be made to give a much needed respite from the horrors of war to at least some of those brave fellows who have endured so much, in order that they may return refreshed and heartened to help to complete the task so jauntingly entered upon and so blunderingly carried on.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR. P6
BLUNDERING DIPLOMACY.
WHY GREECE HESITATES.
Mr. M. H. Donohoe the special correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” at Athens, has had a striking interview with M. Skouloudis, the Greek Premier and Foreign Minister, who defended his nation’s attitude and policy. “My country,” said M. Skouloudis, “has been maligned, her Government has been attacked; yet I say in all sincerity that the fault is not ours. We have tried to ‘play the game,’ as you English say; and if we have failed I maintain it is the Four-Power Alliance, not we, who are responsible. In my own way, as head of the Government, I have earnestly sought to see eye to eye with the Four-Power Entente; if Greece is not fighting wholeheartedly on your side to-day it is because your statesmen and your diplomatists – I am speaking in general terms of the Quadruple Powers – have failed in their duty towards their respective countries and towards Greece.
“FALLEN BETWEEN TWO STOOLS.”
“The Allies have flouted and angered Greece instead of placating us; instead of dealing with us frankly they coquetted with Bulgaria, while treating us disdainfully. The result is that the Allies have fallen between tow stools – the errors of the Allied Powers’ diplomacy have been many; they have suffered from the folly of dividing counsel; and now there is an attempt to throw the blame on to Greece. “If the Allies had come frankly to Greece,” said the Greek Premier, “if they had said, ‘Come in with us, we want your aid, you may count on clearly-defined recompenses at the end of the struggle,” Greece, I affirm, would not have hesitated for a single minute – with this or any other Government in power.
“Instead of this England and France began by demanding sacrifices from Greece. We were asked to co-operate with the Allies in the Dardanelles; and at the same time we were asked to relinquish Kavalla and Seres to our bitterest foes – to give up, in fact, those, our richest provinces, which had been won by Greek blood.
CONSTANTINOPLE FORBIDDEN.
“We were free to shed our blood in the attempt to force the Dardanelles; but we were warned on no account were we to dream of marching to Constantinople in the event of an Allied success. In fact, it was expressly forbidden, in the event of your success, for the Greeks to show their national flag within 50 miles of the ancient Byzantine capital. “After all,” said M. Skouloudis, “Greece, too, nourishes her national dreams and ambitions; and if our eyes turn from time to time eastward, who shall say this aspiration is an unworthy one because it emanates from Greek hearts?
DARDANELLES ADVICE SPURNED.
“You have bullied us; we have simply turned the other cheek, meekly and uncomplainingly. We honestly sought to aid you and proffered you aid – which you rejected.
“In proof of what I say, I will tell you something not generally known. When you embarked on the Dardanelles expedition we warned you of its difficulties and dangers; we emphasised the improbability of success on the lines you had chosen. We did more.
The Greek General Staff long ago had worked out a perfected scheme of operations to be utilised in the event of war between ourselves and Turkey. We still believe you would have succeeded if you had been wise enough to adopt it. “What came of it? Nothing. “Once more Greece was flouted. Such has been our reward. We have been grossly misunderstood and misjudged. The Allies ignored and humiliated us. We decided to continue neutral.
“Latterly, treated with the ignominy of a conquered people, we have almost been goaded into hostilities against you.
SCENE WITH ALLIED DIPLOMAT.
“Let us take the expedition to Salonika. Whether Greece invited the Allies to come there or not is now beside the question. You are in possession, and I maintain that this government, in listening to and accepting the ever-growing demands of the Allies’ army of occupation, has gone to the extreme limits of friendship compatible with neutrality.
“The other day, one of the Entente Ministers came here and insolently told me that the Government had broken promises made by our King. It was untrue, and I felt that his language was an insult. I told him so, and flung his written protest back.
“Further, my indignation went to the length of communicating officially with Sir Edward Grey and M. Briand, telling them in plain, un-diplomatic language my opinion of the protest.
“Greece’s friendship had been repaid in a singular way – and embargo laid on our commerce, our ships held up, people friendly to the Entente within an ace of being starved for want of bread.
IF BULGARIANS FOLLOW.
“We come now to-day. Our aid was spurned. Nevertheless we have given freely. We have done our utmost for you and for you cause. That is to say, the utmost you, in your own blundering, high-handed, haughty way, would permit us to do.
“Now we are faced by a still more terrible problem. How are we to stop our land from being deluged by blood? One set of belligerents is already there; the second set is soon to come. In obedience to the Allies’ request we partially displaced our army and made important transfers of troops.
“The Austro-Germans may enter at any moment. Strictly they have a perfect right to do so, since the Allies have been allowed to enter. “They – the Austro-Germans – may bring their allies, the Bulgars. What can we do? How can we prevent the ingress of the enemy, who, already successful in Macedonia, has an eye on Kavalla and Seres? “So,” concluded M. Skouloudis, “as I see it, Greece is to be ravaged by a cruel, relentless war because the Allies have badly blundered in a diplomatic as well as a military sense.
“Do I overstate the ease when I say it is a tragic hour for my country? I think not.” Finally M. Skouloudis told the interviewer that he contemplated retiring as a sequel to Sunday’s general election, in order that the burden of office might fall on younger shoulders. The new Ministry, in all probability, would be constituted by M. Gounaris, with whom he would co-operate loyally.
OUR LETTER BOX. Back Page.
THANKS FOR RECEPTION.
The following letter has been received from 13195 Lance-Corpl. W. H. Jones (Dandy) Ellis House, (Room 2), R. W. F. Barracks, Wrexham : —
Dec. 22nd 1915.
Sir, — Would you kindly insert this letter in your most valuable paper, the Amman Valley Chronicle? Best Luck.
To the People of Glanamman.
My first duty to you all is to thank you for the fine reception, welcome, and your generosity to me when home on sick furlough. Really, it was most enjoyable, and I was really sorry when my time came to depart from your midst.
I should have very much liked to have been with you this Christmas, but it couldn’t be helped. So all I have say now is that you will all have a jolly time Christmas and a happy New Year – Yours sincerely.
* * * *
To the Editor, Amman Valley Chronicle
Sir, — As it is quite impossible for us to pay an individual visit to every one of the inhabitants of the parish of Llandebie who have been so sympathetic towards the Belgian refugees, we take the opportunity of offering to them, through your columns, our deep gratitude for their noble actions towards our cause during the whole year we have stayed here.
We present our sincerest wishes for a Happy New Year to all the people of Llandebie. For many of them this season will not be so happy as previous years, as many a dear one is absent for the sake of our common freedom, and we sympathise very much in their anxieties.
This season will not bring us joy; our thoughts will go to our devastated homes, to our “Petite Belgique,” where red rivers run through burning ashes; and at the same time, those same thoughts will go to this country, to Great Britain, where the Belgian has found the friend in the hour of need.
Meanwhile, I am, &c.,
LEON DEWULF
For the Belgian Refugees.
Bridge Street. Llandebie.
Corpl. W. Davies, 4th Welsh, who has seen active service in the Dardanelles, where he was stricken with dysentery, has been home to Pantybettws, Ammanford, for the holidays.
As time was too short to get up a concert, a presentation was made of £3 (maybe £5) at Mr. Wm. Fowler’s residence, Glannant House, on behalf of the Bettws Soldiers’ Reception Committee.
Among those present were Mr. Rhys Thomas, Council School, Bettws, Councillor John Harries, “Irlwyn” Mr. John Fowler, and Mr. D. R. Griffiths secretary.
Private Griff. Howells, of the 2nd Welsh, brother of Mrs. W. Roberts, Villers Road, has again returned to Ammanford for a short holiday.
He was through severe fighting in France and was “gassed.” He has since been on light duty at Barry, but returns on Friday to join his regiment on the Continent.
* * * *
Mr. J. W. James of 81 College Street, lately a Second-Lieutenant in the 9th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, was on December 18th promoted to Lieutenant in the 15th (Service) Battalion (2nd Portsmouth) of the Hampshire Regiment, now stationed at Milford, Surrey.
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