The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

George Hayden Francis served with the Welsh Regiment on the Western Front and was killed at Ypres in May 1915. He was wounded soon after arriving at the front and evacuated to No 10 Stationary Hospital, St. Omer, where he died of his wounds on 25th May 1915, and buried George in grave I.A.138. Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France

The information on George Hayden Francis has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 5th June 1915 :-

KILLED AT THE FRONT
Intimation has been received by his wife, of the death of Private G. H. Francis of the Welsh Regiment, which took place near Ypres recently. A telegram was received on Friday stating that Private Francis had received a bullet wound in the head and neck and that he was in hospital. A further telegram was received on Tuesday intimating that he had died. Deceased had only been in the trenches for 9 days and had joined at the commencement of the war. He leaves a widow and 4 young children.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 12th June 1915 :-

FUNERAL SERVICE AT PARISH CHURCH
There was a large attendance at the Parish Church on Sunday morning last when a funeral service was held in memory of Private Francis of Gurnos, who was killed in action, and whose death was chronicled in our last issue. The service, which was conducted by the Rev. Jas. Jones, B.A., (vicar) was very impressive. The lessons were read by Mr. G. H. Strick of Gurnos and special hymns, "Peace, perfect peace" and "The resurrection morning", were sung. The sermon, which was taken from the gospel of St. Mark, was based on the text, "Let us pray." In the course of his sermon the Vicar pointed out the necessity of prayer in times of distress and joy. The sweet calm moments in our lives were the moments that were spent in prayer. The supreme battles of life were often fought in prayer and the agony in the garden bore testimony to this statement. In conclusion he exhorted his hearers to a more frequent use of prayer, thereby keeping in tough with the Almighty.
Special prayers were then said for the repose of the soul of the departed and comfort to the widow and young children. The "Dead March" in Saul, was then played by Mrs. Williams on the organ, the congregation standing.

George Haydn Francis was one of 14 men of Cwmtwrch remembered at a memorial service held in February 1919. The write-up in the Llais described his service thus:-

Private George Haydn Francis, Welsh Regiment Enlisted February 8th 1915 Fell in Mons, May 25th 1915