1915 Wales

 

Scott's Lighthouse
Roath Park Lake, 
Cardiff

Scott's Lighthouse 
Memorial Palque

1915, three years after his death, a memorial for Captain Robert Falcon Scott in the form of the lighthouse is erected on an island situated in Roath Park Lake, during the January.  The memorial is commemorating to the support given to Scott by the people in Cardiff.

The Terra Nova and also the Titanic were powered by coal which was sourced in Wales in the Valleys and also other ships, that were idle.  The Terra Nova alone had 300 tons of patent fuel also 100 tons of Insole’s finest Welsh steaming coal.  So grateful by Cardiff generosity and reception that Captain Scott he re-registered the Tera Nova listing the ship with her home port as Cardiff. 

Royal Hotel,
Cardiff

Two days prior to their journey South, the members of the business community of Cardiff entertained Scott, his officers and the scientists of the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910 to a dinner in the Royal Hotel.  Edgar Evans was given the honour to have sat beside Captain Scott.  Evans had a member of Scott’s Discovery Expedition, 1904

Royal Hotel 
Blue Plaque 

During the course of the evening Evans was to give impromptu speech, saying that they had a difficult ahead of them, and if there was any man who could lead it was that of Captain Scott.

William Charles Fuller

The outbreak of the First World War was the previous August, and one of the first VC to have been awarded what that to William Charles Fuller.

William Charles Williams

One of the first Victoria Crosses to have been award to member of Royal Navy, was posthumously to William Charles Williams, from Chepstow.

Prior to the war, Williams was employed as a gardener and a labourer., before he joined the Royal Navy Boys Service, 1895.  Rising through the ranks to Able Seaman, 1901.  Serving onboard HMS Terrible, off South Africa, during the Second Boer War and during the Boxer Rising that he was commended for bravery.

1910, Williams, left the regular service to join the Royal Naval Reserve and he was employed in the police force and in the steel works in Newport.

At the outbreak of the First World War, William re-joined the Royal Navy.

25^th April 1915, during the landing on V Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, Williams along with other three men, George Leslie Drewy, Wilfred S. Aubryn Malleson and George McKenzie Samson who were assisting the commander, Edward Unwin, of their ship, HMS River Clyde at the work off securing the lighters.  The men held on the rope over an hour, standing chest deep in the sea, under continuous fire.  Williams was eventually seriously wounded by a shell, and later died whilst his rescue was being affected by the commander.

William Charles Williams
Portsmouth Naval Memorial

The four men were awarded the VC, sadly, only Williams was killed in the action, and he has no known grave.  His name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

UB-148 at sea, similar to UB-91

The memorial at Chepstow, is deck gun from SM UB-91, which was presented by King George V. SM UB-91, which was launched during March 1918, was surrendered November 1918, before being broken up 1921, toured the South Wales ports, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Port Talbot.

September 1915, saw the first branch of the Women’s Institute, in Britain to be open at Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, Anglesey.

Rupert Price Hallowes

October 1915, saw another Victoria Cross being awarded to Welsh man, Lieutenant Rupert Price Hallowes.  He was awarded the Victoria Cross, for his actions between 25^th and 30^th September 1915, during the Battle of Hooge. 

His citation as published in the London Gazette, 16^th November 1915, reads

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the fighting at Hooge between 25th September and 1st October 1915. Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed throughout these days the greatest bravery and untiring energy and set a magnificent example to his men during four heavy and prolonged bombardments. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to put fresh heart into his men. He made daring reconnaissances of the German positions in our lines. When the supply of bombs was running short, he went back under very heavy shell fire and brought up a fresh supply. Even after he was mortally wounded, he continued to cheer those around him and to inspire them with fresh courage.

Rupert Price Hallowes's grave
Bedford House Cemetery

Hallowes, is buried at Bedford House Cemetery.

1915, saw the enlistment of  architect, Percy Thomas, who joins the Artist Rifles.

Percy Thomas

Thomas, was a designer of civic buildings, including Central Police Station, Bristol, Swansea Guildhall (1930 – 34).  The foundation stone was laid on 4^th May 1932.  The building was finished in Portland Stone, with its 157 ft art deco clock tower, marking it a landmark.

The Guildhall was officially opened 23^rd October 1934, by The Duke of Kent.  David Matthews, David Williams, Percy Morris and David Grenfell all local MPS have had bronze busts.

Swansea Guildhall

For his work, Thomas, won the Bronze Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects, 1935.

The Guildhall emerged mostly unscathed during the Blitz of February 1941.  During 1969, it was where the Prince of Wales made his announcement in person, that the town of Swansea would be made into a city.