Flintshire Observer 1st January 1920
EWLOE GREEN PRESENTATION
Gold Rings for heroes
Flintshire’s Splendid Record (From Our Own Reporter)
A remarkable event not only in the history of Ewloe, not even of the county of Flint, but of interest to the whole country, took place in the Hawarden County Schools, on Saturday evening, when 120 heroes of the great war were each presented with a solid gold signet ring, engraved with the initials of the recipient.
The point cannot be laboured too much that the ring is not intended as a reminder of the excruciating tortures to which the lads were subjected from the elements, but as a token of thankfulness from those who, from sex, physique, or other causes were maintained in safety by the sufferings of those who went.
Saturday’s event was preceded by a sumptuous dinner, at which 140 fighting men and their friends were seated, provided from funds subscribed in the village, and from sundry concerts and social events organised by the committee appointed by a public meeting at the commencement of the year, at which the event was decided upon, together with other arrangements in connection with the return of the boys.
At the following meeting the chair was taken by the Rev. J.H. DACIES, of Ewloe Green, supported by the Rev. F.S.M. BENNETT, rector of Hawarden; the Rev. — MOORE, pastor of the Presbyterian Church; and Miss PARRY, sister of Lieut.- Col. T.H. PARRY, D.S.O., M.P..
There is no one more entitled to officiate at such a memorable Flintshire event than Colonel PARRY, himself a soldier, who has won distinction in the great war. The hearty hand-shake, the smiling word of companionship, and congratulation to each man to whom he handed his ring found a sympathetic spot in each heart.
In opening the proceedings, Mr. DAVIES asked everybody to stand in silent tribute of respect and reverence for the fallen, and afterwards “Jesu, lover of my soul” was sung. Mr. DAVIES said, on behalf of the committee who had organised the evening’s proceedings, that they had encountered difficulties in endeavouring to determine who were entitled to a ring, as it was necessary to see that no one received notice by two districts. Thus, many who were perhaps expected to be on the list were omitted. With regards to the memorial, this was only the beginning, the district being so scattered that it was difficult to make progress. But a further meeting would be called, and it was hoped that the support of the public would be forthcoming.
The musical programme was opened by a pianoforte rendering of “Home, sweet home,” following which a soprano solo was contributed by Miss HOLLINS, and a tenor solo by Mr. Ted HUGHES. Miss Irma SURANYI gave a violin rendering, entitled, “Slumber Song and Elkin Dance.”
COLONEL PARRY’S TRIBUTE
Colonel PARRY said that as a soldier he appealed to those present to consider his duty in obeying orders, but he took a positive delight, during this festive season, in kicking over the traces. It was a pleasure to him to see so many returned men. His mind went back to the formation of the first small unit in Flintshire, which was only the advance guard of the many which went later. Flintshire’s record was one of the best in the country. Nearly everyone had made sacrifices, than Flintshire people. This day was a day of happiness and of gloom; happiness in seeing so many of those who had returned; gloom in the remembrance of the gaps left by those who never would return. It was just and right that the names should be made a permanent record so that those who followed would know what they had suffered. But a real memorial would be to look after those who were left behind.
It was his privilege to do his best as a Flintshire man, and perhaps everyone was thinking where they were two years ago at that time. He was two miles from Jerusalem, helping to keep back the Turks. He remembered how miserable he was; how, had he taken off his boots, he would never have got them on again. But he was impressed by the wonderful spirit of the troops whilst fighting, particularly with the esprit de corps of the Flintshire men. He hoped that the spirit would continue now that the men had been demobilised. They had learned comradeship and companionship, but he missed it now. Men, he said, were looking older. He met an old friend and remarked the next day to a mutual acquaintance of their’s that “So-and-so was looking much older.” “That’s strange,” remarked the mutual acquaintance, ” I have just left him and he said the same about you,” Those that had been out were not quite fit, and he knew cases where men and been obliged to give up after two months’ return to work. He hoped such would be enabled to rest and have a chance to recover. He was sure that all the serice men expressed thanks for the truly, kindly spirit which had prompted this evening’s event (applause).
The presentation was then proceeded with. Mr. Guy MILLINGTON calling the names, and Colonel PARRY presenting each with a ring. As each man came forward, Colonel PARRY shook him by the hand and said a word of congratulation.
NAMES OF RECIPIENTS
The names of the recipients were read out in alphabetical order, as follows:-
Richard ARTHUR, William BARTLEY, Joseph BARTLEY, Herbert BENTLEY, Ernest BRYAN, Walter BRYAN, Fred BLEESE, H.D. CATHERALL, Lloyd CHILTON, Evan COOKSEY, Eddie DAVIES, Peter DAVIES, Fred DAVIES, William DAVIES, Edward DAVIES (Ewloe), Edward DAVIES (Ewloe Green), Idwal DAVIES, T.A.EVANS, Thomas A.EVANS, Robert EVANS(Stamford Way), Robert EVANS (Mancott), Joseph Albert EVANS, Albert EVANS, Albert EVANS,(sic), John EVANS, Hollins EVANS, Edward ELLIS, Cecil FOX, Tom BOEAQUERIE, Ellis GRIFFITHS, John S, GRIFFITHS, W.H. GRIFFITHS (Ewloe) G.B.GRIFFITHS, Clifford GRIFFITHS, William GITTINGS, J.M. GIBSON, Chas. HOPKINSON, John HYNES, Edward HUGHES, Ernest HAMMERSLEY, Joseph HOLLINS, J.A. HOLMES, John HEWITT, John R. GRIFFITHS, Arthur JAQUES, Percy JAQUES, Walter JONES (Ewloe), Walter JONES (Aston), Stanley JONES, David JONES, Thos. E. JONES, Frank JONES, Herbert JONES, Chas. H. JONES, John JONES, Isaac JONES, William JONES, Harold JELLICOE, Walter KENDRICK, Andrew LANG, William LANG, Harry LLOYD, Jack LLOYD, Walter LOVELOCK, William LEWIS, Thomas McMANNERS, Lewis MILLINGTON, Clements MILLINGTON, Harold NEWBOLD, Thomas OWEN, Wilfred PARRY, John PARRY, Horace PRICE, Ernest PRICE, R.W.PRICE, E.S.PRICE, Stephen PEERS, Stephen PEERS (Dovey Cottages), Edward R. PEERS, Thomas PEERS, Price PEERS, Geo. PHILLIPS, Tom POWNELL, Robert POWNELL, Percy RAMSDALE, Harold REYNOLDS, William ROBERTS, J.E.ROBERTS, John ROBERTS, John STANFORD, Harold STANLEY, John W. STANLEY, Walter SIDDONS, Edward TAYLOR, Jack TAYLOR, Samuel THOMPSON, Chas TELLETT, Tom TELLETT, Robert TYSON, Enoch, Peter, Chas., Stephen and Thomas WILLCOCK, Walter WILLCOCK, Frank WILLCOCK, Tom WEIGH, William WEIGH, Enoch WILLIAMS, Edward WILLIAMS, Geo. WILLIAMS, Harry WYATT and Thomas WYNNE.
The Rev F.S.M. BENNETT, In a brief speech, congratulated the committee on their success and ingenuity in choosing the ring and also the excellent manner in which each had been fitted.
The Rev. — MOORE said he deeply appreciated the honour of being asked to the same platform as such distinguished men, and to speak on such an occasion. He was delighted to hear Colonel PARRY’S speech, and glad to see him looking apparently well. He ( the Colonel) had been wishing good luck to the men, and Mr. MOORE wished him good luck also.
Mr. Edward MILLINGTON, representing the Flintshire County Council, appealed that in the hour of triumph we would not let the vanquished starve.
Mr. John MILLINGTON, on behalf of the District Council, said that nothing gave him more pleasure than to see so many back again. They were not what they were before they went, but he hoped they would do their utmost to make human nature what it was before the war. Mr. Bell JONES also spoke.
Mr. Stanley GRIFFITHS, speaking on behalf of the men, said how they appreciated the event. He called particularly for three cheers for the ladies, which was heartily given.
Transcribed by Mavis Williams