Mid Wales Memorial Project - MWMP

Hi everyone,

Bit of a long post!

Sorry I have been a bit quiet as of late. I’m still working on the project! I’ve also just taken up a volunteer role with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (inspired by one of the supporters of the project, Ryan).

This basically means I have been assigned a number of war graves, which I will monitor, clean and report any damage of. I’m incredibly proud to have these brave individuals resting places under my care.

I thought I’d do a short write up on the ones I have, for those who would be interested. I shall be going back and cleaning them etc when I receive my ID and uniform shortly.

BRONANT

Second Lieutenant Einon Williams, Royal Engineers.

Born 2nd November 1896. Served on the Western Front and injured during a gas attack. Came back to the UK to recover. Went on to train new recruits, and sadly passed away to Influenza and Pneumonia on the 28th October 1918. He was 21 years old.

LLANYCHAIARN

Private Alexander Rees Davies, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Born in 1882. He got shot during the battle of the Somme, and was evacuated back to the UK. He sadly died of his wounds on 25th February 1917. He was 34 years old.

Engine Room Artificer 1st Class David Scott, HMS Cyclops

Very little on this gentleman, but still looking. Died on the 28th January 1920.

ELERCH

Leading Aircraftswoman Dorothy Evans

She died on the 10th April 1944. Sadly this was due to a Halifax bomber that crashed into the WAAF quarters at RAF Fairwood Common (Swansea) on a training flight. She was 25 years old. Photo shows the crash of the Halifax.

Gunner Sydney Jenkins, 3 AA maritime regiment, Royal Artillery

Wounded on active service aboard ship. Passed away in Middlesex, 2nd December 1941.

GOGINAN

Private David Owen, 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Born in 1892. He was shot in the head at Aisne, and evacuated back to the UK. He eventually died of his wounds in Weymouth, 30th November 1918, after the armistice. He was 26.

Gunner Herbert Jenkins, Royal Artillery

Very little known, but he passed away on the 13th March 1947

This does not detract for the Mid Wales Memorial project at all, and I am so grateful I am able to continue the brave heroes names on, so they are never forgotten.

Adrian

MWMP

Hi all,

So I am now able to offer MWMP t shirts and hoodies with thanks to Mid Wales Print!

I also have limited numbers left of the enamel badges and propellers!

If you would like any of these, please drop me a message! You can either collect from me if you are in the local area (Aberystwyth) or I can post at a cost!

Thanks!

Adrian

Today, I had the privilege of spending the afternoon with some fantastic people.

I was invited to attend the Project Launch event of ‘Wales and National Service: 1947-1963’ at the National Library of Wales.

Organised by Age Cymru Dyfed and the West Wales Veteran’s archive, they have collected various interviews with those who served the country during the National Service period.

I want to say a huge thank you to Hugh and Neil for their support with MWMP and for inviting me to their event.

If you would like to know more, check out the West Wales Veteran’s Archive here -

https://www.peoplescollection.wales/users/44171

And the National Library’s archives -

https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/education/learning-resources/national-service-in-wales

82 years ago, thousands of young men would now be landing across the beaches of Normandy, to begin the liberation of Europe.

By this time, many young men, would have already have lost their lives. Their mothers, fathers, children waiting at home, for any news on their fate.

We will remember them

82 years ago, the south of England would have been a hive of activity. Thousands upon thousands of young men would be getting ready for what will go down in history forever.

Airfields such as Brize Norton, Harwell, Membury, Welford, Greenham Common, Upottery and many more would be full of Airborne troops, getting their last pieces together, sorting equipment, having a smoke, maybe a laugh or two, to keep their minds off of what would be happening in a few hours’ time.

As Col. Sink wrote to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne ‘Tonight, is the night, of nights’.

In a few hours’ time, aircraft after aircraft will take off, filling the air with the noise of their engines, as they flew toward the unknown. Many brave men with the USAAF Troop Carrier Groups or Squadrons of the RAF Transport Command, will fly their aircraft full of Paratroopers, or towing gliders, toward the enemy coast. Carrying out a mission that will eventually turn the tide of the War. Ships will begin their long move toward the French coast, full of Soldiers and Sailors.

I ask that tonight, you spare a thought for these brave, brave men in the Airborne, RAF, USAAF, plus the thousands of other men and women who provided support roles to enable our freedom that we have today.

All gave some, some gave all. We shall always remember them.

Even in modern times, training accidents remain a tragic reality, costing both aircraft and, more importantly, the lives of those who serve.

Rest in peace to the three Royal Navy personnel who lost their lives in this afternoon’s helicopter crash in Devon.

We honour their service.

Good evening everyone!

It’s a long one, but please read!

I need your help! So, I want to set up a website. I’m not very computer savvy (I once deleted my graphics drivers, when I was trying to get rid of some documents…). You may know, but I run the MWMP on my own, with a bit of help from some others.

Now, I know how I want it to look. The idea I have, is to have a landing page, explaining about the project, what I do, and have a contact form.

I also have the idea of an interactive map of the Mid Wales Region, showing where all the military crash sites are. For those who have seen my display, you will have seen my pin board, it will be like that, but you can click on the crash site, and it will take you to a page, dedicated to that crash, with photos, crash reports etc. One of the goals I have, will be to put a QR code with the memorials, that people can scan at the site, and it shall take them to the page about that crash, bringing the story to life, there and then.

I also will have merchandise available so a page for that, although it won’t be ‘bought’ through the website, so don’t need a shopping feature.

I have looked at Wix, GoDaddy, Wordpress, and a few others.

I have also looked at the domain of either MWMP.UK or MWMP.co.uk, both of which are available.

The only issue I have, is although it’s ok to start with (around £180 for the first 2-3 years), the price will then double. For a project that I purely rely on fundraising myself, I hope you can appreciate why I’m reluctant.

Soooo, I need -

1. The ability to purchase the domain AND a website tool, that can do a lot of the leg work, but allow me to make changes.

2. Affordable for a project that relies purely on donations (for now, although I am considering setting it up as a CIC or something along those lines).

If anyone has any ideas, runs their own website, or any advice, I’d love to hear it.

With a proper website, I can ensure the project is embedded properly, and we can have it as an ‘online memorial’, whilst waiting for the physical ones to be completed. It will also raise the project’s profile!

Hope you can help!

Adrian
MWMP

Absolutely fantastic to see the MWMP and the memorial unveiling to V9127 was featured in 'The Weekly Advertiser - the local newspaper in Horsham, Australia - the home town of the pilot, F/O David Anderson.

A big thank you Lauren Henry, who did the article, and has helped get the MWMP in touch with Anderson's relatives.

Memorial honours Horsham pilot - The Weekly Advertiser By Lauren Henry The crash site of where a former Horsham pilot died during training in the Second World War in Wales was memorialised earlier this month David Campbell Anderson who enlisted for the Royal Australia Air Force in was based at the Royal Air Force station at Honeybourne south of Birmingh...

Thinking of our US friends and family on this Memorial Day.

These photos I took when I visited the American Cemetery in Madingley, Cambridgeshire.

Far too many, taken too soon. Some of whom lost their lives within our beautiful Welsh hills and valleys.

They will never be forgotten.