The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Lewis Holt appears on both the Ystalyfera War Memorial and on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial.

Lewis Holt served with the Welsh Regiment in France. He was wounded in action in July 1916 and taken to a casualty clearing station, but died of his wounds.

The information on Lewis Holt 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).

	Lewis Holt To the left is the remembrance grave in Beulah Welsh Baptist Burial Ground, Lower Cwmtwrch
	Grave inscription:- Greater Love hath No Man Than This That He Lay Down His Life For His Friends.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 22nd July 1916 :-

CWMTWRCH ROLL OF HONOUR
Pte. Lewis Holt of the 14th Welsh (Swansea Battalion) has also fallen in the fight. A letter was received by his family from his commanding officer stating that Pte. Holt was wounded whilst attacking one of the renowned woods, in the Somme offensive, and that he had been removed to a base hospital. The officer speaks highly of Pte. Holt as a fine type of soldier.

From the Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, 25th July 1916:-

COMMANDING OFFICERS PRAISE
Mrs Holt of Cwmphill Road Lower Cwmtwrch has received the news that her son, Private Lewis Holt, is suffering from gunshot wounds in the chest. Private Holt joined the Welsh Regiment in November 1914 and has been in France since last December. In a letter to his mother his commanding officer says, "It will be a great satisfaction to you to know that your son behaved most gallantly and assisted the Welsh division to capture a wood which they held."
Later official reports state that his condition is still very grave although there is slight improvement.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 19th August 1916 :-

LABOUR VOICE 19th AUGUST 1916
We deeply regret to announce the death of Private Lewis Holt, from wounds, of the 14th Batt. Welsh Regiment. The deceased young man's home is in Lower Cwmtwrch, and he was universally liked and respected by all who came in contact with him. Mrs. Holt received a letter from Captain Arthur Smith, of Private Holt's company, of which the following is an extract: "On the morning of last Tuesday (July 11th), I found your son lying wounded on the battlefield. He was wounded in the chest, and was not, I think, in very much pain, but only very weak. He asked me to write and tell you how safe he felt in God's care. I was so pleased to see his Bible in his breast pocket and he told me what a precious book his Bible was to him. I could not carry him away myself, but I got two stretcher-bearers to take him away, and had the comfort of knowing he would soon have been in a comfortable hospital. - Arthur H. Smith, Captain."
Private Holt was moved to the Field Hospital but though later reported "improving" died of wounds. We extend our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Holt. Deceased was only 22 years of age, two days after he was wounded. The Bible referred to by Captain Smith was presented to Pte. Holt while on his last home leave by his friends at Beulah Chapel.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 7th December 1918:- :-

BROTHERS DEATH
A popular young man from Cwmtwrch died on Sunday last in the person of Mr Edwin Holt, the son of Mrs Holt, of Cwmphill, Lower Cwmtwrch. Deceased was 28 years of age and had been in failing health for some time. The funeral took place on Thursday at Beulah Cemetery.

Photograph of Private Lewis Holt from the Cambrian Daily Leader, 27th July 1916

Private Lewis Holt 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 Lewis Holt, 14th (Swansea Battalion Enlisted October 10th. 1914. Wounded at Mametz Wood. Died in hospital in France, July 24th 1916