World War booklets honour Wrexham community's fallen

In 2017 Cefn Mawr Community Council, as with other villages and councils, decided to commemorate the end of the First World War.

The council engaged with the four local primary schools in a project to research the names of the fallen on the 1914-1918 memorial tablet attached to the Cefn Mawr Cenotaph.

The schools were visited and the 112 names of the fallen divided between each of the four schools.

The project was a labour of love for community council chairman Phil Vaughan.

The Pritchard twins, Robert Evan and Joseph David, born in Cefn Mawr, November 26, 1892.

He said: "It was evident that by giving just a name was not enough to enable them to start or maintain their interest.

"I had already researched one name, Harry Pritchard, a Captain in the Royal Welch Fusiliers who was awarded the Military Cross for 'a deed of conspicuous bravery'.

"Harry Pritchard had also been a teacher at Cefn Mawr Primary School.

"Information and photographs were also given on the young Pritchard twins who had both died, one in France and his twin at home due to gas poisoning.

"Using other artifacts from Cefn Mawr Museum brought the names to life for the children.

"During this time each school was taken on a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield.

"To further help bring the period to life, I managed to engage the services of Simon Jarman, who brought to the George Edwards Hall his re-enactment team, which consisted of a period nurse and soldier along with equipment from the First World War period."

Elmor Jones, Cefn Mawr, enlisted at Wrexham on July 18, 1939, is pictured cup in hand during a calm period

The First World War booklet, full of photos and information, was presented in Parliament by then MP, Susan Ellen Jones, to all members in the chamber.

Pre-Covid lockdown it was agreed to follow on from the success of the First World War booklet.

As there are less names on the Second World War memorial tablet attached to the Cenotaph, it was felt that not only the fallen would be researched but also the returning hero and those left at home.

Phil added: "Questionnaires were printed and the schools visited. Unfortunately, due to lockdown the schools could not be included and all research would be halted.

"As I had started my research in preparation for going into the schools, it was decided to try and continue but remotely and so began collecting information by letter, email and phone.

"With the assistance of my colleague, Joan Jones, information was gained from old records of the Cefn Chronicle and from members of the various local pensioner clubs.

Jesse Evans, born Cefn Mawr, July 17, 1917, pictured receiving his BEM from Field Marshall Montgomery.

"After two years in researching and collecting information, photographs and family stories, the booklet was printed with distribution in time for Remembrance on November 11, 2021. Many have been posted by request, to families across this country and also abroad.

"During the research of the fallen I came across several names of fallen servicemen not included on the memorial tablets of both the First and Second World Wars.

"A museum colleague, Liz Bruce, and I are compiling a file of information on those not recorded.

"We are therefore looking for information and photographs on anyone from Acrefair, Abernant, Cefn Mawr, Froncysyllte, Pen y Bryn, Rhosymedre and Trevor."

If you can help, contact Phil Vaughan on email: pmv014@outlook.com or at Cefn Community Council, George Edwards Hall.

Copies of both commemorative booklets are now available in all the Wrexham County Libraries

Copies are now available in all the Wrexham County Libraries