Ystalyfera Fallen

The original Ystalyfera War Memorial was a cenotaph erected in 1922 in parkland donated by Colonel Gough, above the town nearby Alltygrug cemetery. After years of neglect and vandalism, this was taken down and it was agreed to construct a new, more central, war memorial in Commercial Street, Ystalyfera.

On 24th July 1983, in a ceremony overseen by the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, this new memorial was dedicated. The photographs below were donated to Yeargroup by the Royal British Legion, thank you.

July 24th 1983

Title Note	Title Note

Order of Service at St. David's Church, 24th July 1983	Regimental Mascot Note

Title Note	Title Note

From the ceremony held on 24th July 1983:-

DEDICATION OF THE WAR MEMORIAL
In the faith of Jesus Christ, we dedicate this Memorial to the glory of God, in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the two World Wars, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen

O Lord God Almighty, we give thee most humble thanks for them that have sacrificed their lives in our defence and for the freedom of mankind. Shed forth upon them the light of thy countenance and grant they being numbered among the host of thy redeemed, going forth conquering and to conquer will see their ever-lasting Lord, whose is the greatness and the power, the victory and the majesty world without end. Amen

After this dedication, wreaths were laid on the War Memorial. This was followed by the Act of Remembrance by Rev. Canon A.G. Lewis, Chaplain.

ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Let us remember before God, and commend to his sure keeping:
those who have died for their country in war;
those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure;
and all who have lived and died in the service of mankind.

The names of those on the memorial were then read out by Mr Gwyn John, Wales Councillor and Treasurer of the Ystalyfera Branch of the Royal British Legion. This was then followed by the reading of The Last Post by Rev. Canon A.G. Lewis, followed by silence, and then the bugler.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them

We will remember them...