The new monument to the ‘Kilvey Boys’ who gave their lives in the Great War was unveiled in a poignant ceremony in St Thomas, attended by local dignitaries and community fundraisers who raised more than £23,500 to make their ambition a reality.
Among those commemorated are VC winner Lieut Francis Grenfell and his twin brother Riversdale Grenfell, alongside 68 other men known locally as the ‘Kilvey Boys’.
The men were named on memorial tablets which were originally located at the now redundant church of All Saints, Kilvey. But after a spate of vandalism they were removed for safekeeping.
Now the professionally-conserved tablets have been incorporated into an impressive new polished black granite plinth located near the Air Defence which was officially unveiled on November 15.
The plinth was created by Cardiff firm Mossfords and supports a beautiful galvanised steel section of the monument which was created by James Eifion Thomas. The new memorial is the culmination of years of fundraising, campaigning and awareness-raising by local residents.
Those attending the dedication ceremony included Lord Mayor, Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams, the council’s joint Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Lewis and Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Louise Fleet.
Anita Pugh, Chairperson of Save Our Memorial Monument (SOMMe), has been behind the quest for the new memorial since the church closed its doors for the final time in 2015, almost a decade ago.
She was also at the unveiling and said she could not be more proud or more grateful to see the group’s ambition finally realised.
She said: “Every one of these men we’re commemorating contributed. During our research many acts of heroism were uncovered, including the story of one man who lost his life after returning under heavy fire to rescue his life-long friend and comrade.
“We wanted the whole community to have heard of these 70 brave men. They gave up their lives for us. The least we could do in return is to make sure they are remembered with a fitting memorial, in the way they truly deserve.”
She said: “There are so many people who deserve thanks for keeping our quest alive over so many years. We’ve had immense support and donations from the local community and internationally too.
“It’s so special that we’ve been able create this new memorial and officially unveil it just a few days after Armistice Day.”
She said: “When the church closed we originally wanted to move the memorial that was on the site to a more suitable location.
“When it became clear it wouldn’t be possible, we decided to fund raise to commission a new one that could be a lasting tribute. The whole community came together to make it happen.”
Lord Mayor Paxton-Hood Williams said: “I was very honoured to be part of this historic occasion. This memorial is a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country more than a century ago.
“But it is also a tribute to the people of St Thomas and Kilvey today who have ensured we shall never forget.”
(Lead image: Swansea Council)
