Service of Dedication of the Welsh Memorial in Flanders
Pilckem Ridge, Langemark, Belgium.
3pm, 16 August 2014
£1 / €1
To remember all those of Welsh descent who took part in
the First World War
Order of Service (Please
be seated by 2.45pm)
Introduction:
Roy Noble OBE of BBC Radio Wales and Soetkin Ureel
Bugle Call:
Eric Bentein
Hymn:
‘Dros Gymru’n Gwlad’ sung by Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru
Welcome:
Alain Wyffels, Mayor of Langemark-Poelkapelle
Readings and Prayers:
Father Bart Demuynck, Maj. Gen. the Rev. Morgan Llewellyn CB OBE,
Rev. Brian Llewellyn and Rev. Meurig Williams
Hymn:
‘Gwahoddiad’ sung by Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru
Address:
Peter Carter Jones, Welsh Coordinator
Erwin Ureel, Flemish Coordinator
Cover image by kind permission of Lee Odishow, 2014
Reading:
Accounts of Welsh Soldiers by Gwydion Rhys (Llanllechid) and
Joe Lewis (Neath)
Ceremonial placing of soil gathered from the summits of Snowdon,
Pen y Fan and Yr Ysgwrn, home of Ellis Humphrey Evans, the poet
‘Hedd Wyn’
Guard of honour takes position at the base of the Cromlech
Lowering of the Welsh flag accompanied by Dylan Cernyw (harpist)
Poem:
‘Rhyfel’ by Hedd Wyn read by Isgoed Williams MBE
Reading:
‘Exhortation’ by Ivan Beatty
Bugle Sound:
‘Last Post’
One minute’s silence
Reading:
‘Kohima Epitaph’ by Simon Weston OBE
Bugle Sound:
‘Reveille’
Song:
‘Dweud Wrth Fy Nhad’ sung by Rhys Meirion as the Welsh flag
is raised by cadets
Address:
Dr Andrew Murrison MP, the Prime Minister’s Special
Representative for the Centenary Commemoration of the
First World War
Representative of the Flemish Government
The Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales
Unveiling of the Memorial:
The Rt. Hon. Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales,
Dr Andrew Murrison MP,
Representative of the Flemish Government,
Alain Wyffels, Mayor of Langemark-Poelkapelle and
artist Lee Odishow
Hymn:
‘O Iesu Mawr’ sung by Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru
Blessing of the Memorial
Laying of wreaths by special guests, accompanied by harpist
National Anthems (Please
stand)
Flemish National Anthem:
De Vlaamse Leeuw
(The Flemish Lion)
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, de fiere Vlaamse Leeuw, Al dreigen
zij zijn vrijheid met kluisters en geschreeuw.
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, zolang een Vlaming leeft, Zolang
de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.
Chorus:
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, zolang een Vlaming leeft,
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.
De tijd verslindt de steden, geen tronen blijven staan:
De legerbenden sneven, een volk zal nooit vergaan.
De vijand trekt te velde, omringd van doodsgevaar.
Wij lachen met zijn woede, de Vlaamse Leeuw is daar.
Chorus:
Zij zullen hem niet temmen, zolang een Vlaming leeft,
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.
Zolang de Leeuw kan klauwen, zolang hij tanden heeft.
Belgian National Anthem:
Brabançonne
O dierbaar België, O heilig land der Vaad’ren,
Onze ziel en ons hart zijn u gewijd.
Aanvaard ons kracht en bloed van ons ad’ren,
Wees ons doel in arbeid en in strijd.
Bloei, o land, in eendracht niet te breken;
Wees immer uzelf en ongeknecht,
Het woord getrouw, dat g’ onbevreesd moogt spreken,
Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht!
Het woord getrouw, dat g’ onbevreesd moogt spreken,
Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht!
Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht!
Voor Vorst, voor Vrijheid en voor Recht!
British National Anthem:
God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save The Queen.
Invitation to individuals to lay wreaths
Welsh National Anthem:
Hen Wlad fy Nhadau
(Land of my Fathers)
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Chorus:
Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad.
Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau.
Other events over the Memorial Weekend
Saturday:
8.00pm: Evening Gala Concert in Langemark Church
Sunday:
2.30pm: Service at Artillery Wood Cemetery
3.30pm: Short service at Hedd Wyn’s plaque, Hagebos
8.00pm: Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate
Background
In July 1917, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, also
known as Passchendaele, it was decided that the Allies
needed to take the area known as Pilckem Ridge near
Langemark in Flanders. The task was initially undertaken
by soldiers of the 38th (Welsh) Division and the Guards
Division, including the Welsh Guards. They were
successful but suffered a huge loss of life, including
that of the national poet, Ellis Humphrey Evans, better
known by his bardic name, ‘Hedd Wyn’. This Memorial
now stands on Pilckem Ridge in honour of these men,
but also of everyone of Welsh descent who took part in
the First World War throughout the world.
Men of the 1st Glamorgan, 265th (Howitzer) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 53rd
(Welsh) Division, c. 1916. Courtesy of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
How this Memorial came about
During a chance
meeting between
Peter Carter Jones and
Erwin Ureel, a founding
member of the
Passchendaele Society
1917, in Ypres in 2010,
the idea of a National
Memorial for Welsh
people who took part
in the First World War
was first raised. Wales
had not established
its own national
memorial to those lost
in the First World War,
unlike other nations which had memorials on the
former Western Front. Both Peter and Erwin agreed
that something should be done and Peter began a
campaign in Wales to raise awareness of the idea
and to commission a suitable new memorial.
Many organisations and individuals were contacted
by Peter and gradually momentum began to build.
In Spring 2011, the Passchendaele Society 1917 and
the Langemark Society agreed jointly to establish a
Committee to campaign for the new memorial in
Belgium. Peter Carter Jones was appointed the
Co-ordinator in Wales.
The campaign now began in earnest. The Appeal
was registered as a charity and regular committee
meetings were held to oversee the fundraising.
Activities were organised, including concerts and
the sale of lapel badges. Each member of the
Appeal Committee gave their time. Other individuals
also contributed generously. Many organisations
supported the appeal. For example, One Voice Wales
facilitated contributions from Welsh Community
Councils, and Côr Rygbi Gogledd Cymru gave
concerts all over Wales. The Appeal Committee is
deeply appreciative of everyone who has tirelessly
worked to raise the necessary funds.
We are also very grateful for the support which we
have received from the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM,
First Minister of Wales, Professor Sir Deian Hopkin
and Welsh Government staff from CyMAL: Museums
Archives and Libraries Wales who are co-ordinating
the Welsh commemoration programme for the First
World War. Dame Rosemary Butler AM, Presiding
Officer of the National Assembly for Wales, kindly
agreed to become a Patron of the Appeal. The former
Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon David Jones
MP, also provided his help and support, as have
leaders of all political parties in Wales.
In 2013, the stones for the cromlech were generously
provided by Craig yr Hesg quarry, Pontypridd and
transported to Flanders by Owens Transport, Llanelli.
Following a competition organised by the Arts Council
of Wales for the Appeal Committee, an imposing
design for a dragon, conceived by a young Welsh
artist, Lee Odishow, originally from Tenby, was
commissioned.
The bronze dragon was cast at Castle Fine Arts
Foundry, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, in late June 2014.
In Flanders, the Flemish Government has very
generously donated funds to the appeal, and the people
of Langemark-Poelkapelle, particularly Alain Wyffels,
Mayor of Langemark-Poelkapelle, have worked hard to
support the Appeal. The Province of West Flanders has
made a magnificent contribution towards the creation
of a memorial garden around the cromlech, and the
Council of Langemark-Poelkapelle has very kindly
provided the land for this purpose. We would also like
to thank the band at today’s ceremony, Koninklijke
Muziekvereniging St.Cecilia Langemark.
Finally, we would like to thank the people of Wales and
beyond who have given so generously to this Appeal
and ensured its success. We sincerely hope that future
generations, particularly children, will visit this site in
years to come so that the memory of the sacrifice made
by Welsh people who took part in the First World War is
never forgotten.
The Welsh Memorial in Flanders Appeal Committee:
Campaign Co-ordinator:
Peter Carter Jones
North Wales Liaison:
Alwyn Bevan
Honorary Secretary:
Glena Bevan
Chairman/Coordinator:
Erwin Ureel
Vice-Chairman:
Marc Decaestecker
Secretary:
Johan Regheere
Treasurer:
Sofie Staessen
London Liaison and Legal Advisor:
Russell Harris QC
Liaison Officer Contractors:
Mario Liva
Protocol Adviser:
Paul Silk
Security/Traffic Management
Officer:
Johan Vannoote
Military Adviser:
Major Ian Gumm
British Legion Liaison & Pin Sales:
Ivan Beatty
Special Representative
(Hedd Wyn):
Isgoed Williams MBE
Representatives
Hedd Wyn Committee:
Sonja Decaestecker and
Patrick Deniere
Representatives Passchendaele
Society 1917:
Freddy Declerck and
Charlotte Descamps
Welsh language Advisor:
Lieven Dehandschutter
All proceeds from the sale of the Programme will be donated to the
Welsh Memorial in Flanders Appeal
www.walesremembers.org
© Crown Copyright 2014 22690
Honorary Chairman:
Brigadier (retired)
Ian McLeod CMG OBE MC