12th July 1916 - Final Day

 12th July 1916.  The final day that the Welsh were at Mametz Wood.  The Wood was in the British hands, and the Germans had withdrawal.  The 38th (Welsh) Division, were to be relieved by the 21st Division, which included the 12th and 13th Northumberland Fusiliers, the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment, and the 10th Green Howards.  

There were still casualties with the 38th Division.

38th (Welsh) Division Memorial, with Mametz Wood behind
During the course of the 3-day action at Mametz Wood, the losses suffered by the 38th Division were killed 46 officers, 556 other ranks; wounded 138 officers, 2,668 other ranks; missing 6 officers, 579 other ranks.  Total 190 officers and 3,803 other ranks.

Even though the 14th Battalion, had retired on the 11th, there was still a number of deaths, 25, on the 12th  

It wouldn’t be until 1987, that a permanent memorial to the 38th (Welsh) Division was erected.  The memorial is of the Welsh Dragon, standing on a three-meter stone plinth.

The Welsh at Mametz Wood, 1917 - Christopher Williams 




Welsh artist Christopher Williams used scene at Mametz Wood on the 11th July, for his compositions The Welsh at Mametz Wood, 1917. This was painted as a request made by the Secretary of State of War, David Lloyd George.  Williams visited the area November 1916 and made later studies from a soldier, who was present.  Today the painting makes up the collection found at the National Museum of Wales.

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