Service of Remembrance To One of The Few
On Monday 27th September 2011, Maesydderwen School, Ystradgynlais, was the venue for a very special service of remembrance.
It was the accumulation of several weeks of contacting various dignitaries, organisations and families in order to honour the life of one of the few. A Battle of Britain war hero Squadron Leader Cedric Watcyn Williams 1910-1940 had been a pupil of Maesydderwen and was named on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial as well as the brass plaque given to St. Cynog’s Church by the Royal British Legion in memory of all the fallen of WWII.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Des Maslen who having seen this website, contacted Yeargroup with information regarding his cousin, Cedric W. Williams. Although in New Zealand and unable to attend the Ceremony personally, he enabled Yeargroup to inform many families related to Cedric and in fact put me in touch with Cedric’s younger brother. At the age of 96, Gwilym D. Williams Master Mariner, travelled from Essex to be present on the day.
County Councillor Barry Thomas presented the Plaque, which was received by Head Teacher Mrs. S. Speedy on behalf of the School, after a service that commemorated the life of Cedric Watcyn Williams, whom I am sure would have given a victory roll as he flew over the hall filled with so many of his family and friends.
Val Trevallion (Researcher Yeargroup)
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Powys County Councillor Barry Thomas presented this Plaque, which was received by Headteacher Mrs. S. Speedy on behalf of the School, after a service that commemorated the life of Cedric Watcyn Williams:- the Battle of Britain Historical Society IN HONOUR of former pupil Squadron Leader CEDRIC WATCYN WILLIAMS 17 (Hurricane) Squadron (Killed in action 25 August 1940) His participation in the Battle of Britain helped to prevent an invasion of this country and the subjugation of its people NEVER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN CONFLICT WAS SO MUCH OWED BY SO MANY TO SO FEW Winston S Churchill 21 August 1940 This plaque was commissioned by the School and supported by the local community |
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Above is the display created by Val Trevallion in honour of Squadron Leader Cedric Watcyn Williams. A Hurricane pilot in the 17th (Fighter) Squadron of the RAF, Cedric was shot down over the English Channel during the Battle of Britain, on 25th August 1940. The display commemorated his life, from his upbringing in Ystalyfera, through his school days at Maesydderwen, to his cadetship and service in the RAF during the 1930s, and the outbreak of the Second World War. | |
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Gwilym D. Williams was Guest of Honour at the Service of Remembrance for his brother, Cedric W. Williams, who was killed in action over seventy years before. Later a Captain of Cunard liners, Gwilym is a Master Mariner who served during the Second World War as an officer aboard merchant ships in the North Atlantic convoys, a vital calling that helped to keep the supply lines open to a beleagured Britain. Above left he can be seen with Mrs S. Speedy, Headteacher of Maesydderwen School, who holds in her hand the plaque, and Clive Millman (right), Regional Manager (Bridgend) of the Battle of Britain Historical Society. | |
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A musical ensemble was played by students of Maesydderwen School, together with guests, and above the former can be seen rehearsing with the Music Teacher. |