The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

A marble tablet commemorating the eleven former Scouts of Ystalyfera who died in the Great War was unveiled at a special commemorative service in May 1920. Below, you can see a photograph of the tablet, together with a list of the fallen commemorated upon it. Further down the page, there is the article from the Llais, 'The Labour Voice' newspaper reporting upon the Unveiling Ceremony.

	The Scouts Memorial
	This memorial remembers the sacrifice of:- Left-hand side Captain D P Rowbothan Corporal Ll O Williams Lance Corporal T R Martin Private R G Dawes Private J Griffiths Right-hand side Lieutenant C De-la-haye Private L Holt Gunner J Jones Private A Kies Private H Martin Bottom-centre Private J Williams

The Unveiling Ceremony was well-reported in 'The Labour Voice' newspaper, commonly known as the Llais. Below is a facsmile of the article in the Llais, and at the bottom of the page, the text from that article.

	1st Swansea Valley Troop Memorial
	The article from The Labour Voice newspaper of May 22nd 1920, the text from which is reproduced below.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 22nd May 1920 :-

SCOUT NOTES
1st SWANSEA VALLEY TROOP MEMORIAL

A memorial tablet, installed by the past and present members of the 1st Swansea Valley Troop to the memory of the Scouts of the Troop who have been 'called to higher service' was unveiled at St. David's Church, Ystalyfera, on Thursday last - Ascension Day. A large number of lads, including Scouts from the 1st, 3rd (Pontardawe); 6th (Penrhos), and 8th Swansea Valley Troops attended the service and formed a Guard of Honour to the Lord Bishop of St. David's who dedicated the tablet.

There were present also a great many friends and relatives and the Church was crowded when the service commenced.

Mrs. Gough performed the unveiling ceremony, whilst the 'Last Post' was blown by buglers from the troop. The Bishop preached an eloquent and appropriate memorial sermon. The 'reveille' blown by an old scout brought an impressive service to an end.

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The tablet itself is a beautiful marble one, surmounted by the Scout Badge - the Fleur-de-lis and the Scouts' motto, 'Be prepared' - a fitting and appropriate motto for a memorial to young scouts.

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It was extremely comradely and scoutlike of the Scouts of the 6th, 8th Swansea Valley and the Pontardawe Troops to attend the Unveiling Ceremony.

Saint David's Church, Ystalyfera, also includes stained glass windows and a memorial stone, erected in 1926.