Ystalyfera Fallen

Yeargroup wishes to thank Ms Margaret TYLER for contacting us and advising that her Grandfather's Stepfather SAMUEL HAMER has since been accepted as a WWI Casualty and as such has a right to be entered under NOT on WAR MEMORIAL I apologise for the length of time it has taken me to correct this oversight and enter the details on to the site. Val Trevallion

The information on Samuel Hamer has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and the archives of the Llais.

Samuel Hamer married Clara Agnes Lewis in 1914, whose previous husband Lewis Lewis had died. He thus became step-father to her son, William Hugh Lewis (born Radnorshiire 1900) who later married Eleanor Ada (born in Herefordshire). The family grave in Holy Trinity churchyard has the names of William Hugh (died 1954), Eleanor Ada, who worked as Housekeeper to the Vicar of St. David's Church, Ystalyfera (died 1965) and Samuel Hamer.

The grave of Samuel Hamer at Holy Trinity, sent by Ms. Tyler


The grave of Samuel Hamer, in Holy Trinity (Plot 3a, Row 01-G-01) after the clearing of the path

Lewis Lewis and Clara Agnes Lewis had had five children, befoe Lewis' death. It is probable that the older three had moved out by the time that Clara Agnes married Samuel Hamer in 1914, but as well as William Hugh Lewis (born 1900), Lewis and Clara Agnes had had thre younger daughters: Clara Lilian Lewis (born Radnor 1902), Gertrude Edwina Lewis (born Radnor 1905, died 2005), and Gladys Lila Lewis (born Radnor 1908)

In 2005, the South Wales Evening Post for 4th February, carried the obituary of Gertrude Edwina Williams, nee Lewis:-

Peacefully on Tuesday 1st February, at Ystradgynlais Community Hospital, in her 101st year, Gertie, formerly of Varteg Road, Ystalyfera, beloved wife of the late Jack, loving mother of Glan and the late Sadie, dear mother-in-law of Eileen and Jack, cherished grandmother of Alun and Katie and great grandmother of Tilly and Zac.
Funeral Wednesday February 9th, service at Wynford Thomas and Son Chapel of Rest at 1.00 p.m., followed by cremation at Swansea Crematorium at 2.00 p.m.
Family wreath only, donations if desired to Ystradgynlais Community Hospital

Further to Samuel Hamer having recognition from his war service and the efforts of Margaret Tyler, the CWGC have agreed to clear the way leading to this grave and to upkeep it as one of their own.

Clara Agnes Hamer

The South Wales Voice newspaper of 26th February 1949, reported on the death of Clara Agnes Hamer (on 19th February 1949), the widow of Samuel Hamer, mentioning that he had died as a result of his War Service:-

OBITUARY

The death took place on Saturday last of Mrs Clara Agnes Hamer, at the residence of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs David Clee, Ynislas, Wind Road, Ystradgynlais.
Deceased, who was 72 years of age, had been in poor health for a long time and had been devotedly cared for by her daughter with whom she had resided for over 16 years,
Mrs Hamer, whose husband died in 1918 as a result of War Service, was a native of Rhayadr, and came to Godre'rgraig with her family in 1912. She was a faithful member of Saint David's Church, and her kindly nature earned her the esteem of all her neighbours and friends. She leaves a grown up family of two sons and three daughters.
The funeral was on Tuesday, cremation taking place at the Glyntaf Crematorium, Pontypridd.