Fallen heroes will be remembered on Pontypridd’s new War Memorial and Roll of Honour as Rhondda Cynon Taf Council begins its extensive research for the names and details of all those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Working in conjunction with Pontypridd Town Council, a public appeal has been launched for donations towards the Memorial, which will be erected in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
Research work is well underway to identify all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and came from within the former Pontypridd Urban District and current Town Council boundaries.
These include Pontypridd Town, Graig, Maesycoed, Pwllgwaun, Graigwen, Hopkinstown, Trallwn, Cilfynydd, Rhydyfelin, Hawthorn, Treforest and Glyncoch.
Members of the public are being asked to assist in compiling a comprehensive list of our heroes.
Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cllr Simon Lloyd, explained, “There is no official record naming each individual who lost their lives in either of the two world wars or subsequent conflicts.
“This makes the research work extensive and difficult as there are so many individual plaques in various churches, chapels, schools and other public buildings throughout the Pontypridd area.
“We are hoping people will come forward with either individual names themselves, or can inform us as to whether they know of any such plaques and memorials existing in a building in their community.
“Shortly, a provisional list of names to be included in the Roll of Honour will be published to allow the public to assist the process of ensuring the list of names is as complete and accurate as possible due to the importance and sensitivity of this issue.”
The Mayors of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Pontypridd Town joined forces with the Royal British Legion to officially launch the appeal which is hoped will raise £150,000 towards the project.
The Roll of Honour will be located within Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, which was opened in 1923 in memory of the war dead.
But at present no Memorial exists naming all those brave heroes from Pontypridd who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of future generations. Public subscription was one of the original funding methods for Ynysangharad War Memorial Park itself.
How you can Donate to the Appeal:
There are several ways in which you can support the War Memorial and Roll of Honour for Pontypridd.
- Online by visiting www.rctcbc.gov.uk/pwmappeal or the “Pay-It” section of the Council’s website.
- Over the telephone by calling 01443 681081
- By making a cash donation at any of the Council’s four One4All Centres
- By cheque made payable to Pontypridd War Memorial Appeal” and sent to Pontypridd War Memorial Appeal. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Ty Bronwydd, Bronwydd Avenue, Porth, CF39 9DL
If you know of any individuals who lost their lives in either of the two world wars or subsequent conflicts, or are aware of memorials in your community, then contact Michael Dauncey at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Public Relations and Strategy Department on 01443 424066 or by emailing him direct at [email protected]
