WW1 commemorative events across Gwent

Around 700,000 British people lost their lives in the conflict, which ended 100 years ago and claimed the lives of more than 16 million people globally.

As we approach the centenary of the war’s end, we look at how some organisations across Gwent are planning to honour the fallen in the Great War.

Full details of Remembrance Day services will be included in the Argus’ special commemorative supplement, which will be on sale from Monday.

The supplement costs £1, and 20 per cent of that will be donated to the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal.

St Woolos Cathedral will host a free day of events to mark the centenary.

There will be music from the U3A choir, who will perform a song based on a poen featured in the South Wales Argus. Other music will be provided by Newport rugby club choir, and the local Boys' Brigade band.

Re-enactments will include a World War One surgeon, a Monmouthshire Regiment infantryman, and a member of the Royal Flying Corps.

There will be stalls from the Western Front Association, Newport Scouts, Newport Seafares, Newport Quakers, Abergavenny Local History Society, and Blaenau Gwent Heritage Forum.

There will be talks, including "Men who played the game" – focusing on local sportsmen who were killed in the war – and a talk on the diary of Charley Heare, a soldier from the second battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment.

Jessica Morden MP and Jayne Bryant AM will talk about their wartime ancestors.

National Kitchens will serve wartime dishes such as "trench cake", as well as takes on classics such as a "munition workers' lunch" – based on a 1918 recipe featured in the Argus.

One of the organisers, Peter Strong, said: "I hope people from Newport and Gwent will turn out in numbers for this commemoration.

"The event is suitable for all the family. Come along for an hour or stay all day."

Caerleon Remembers will mark the centenary with a tribute of words and music.

Dame Rosemary Butler, who is a former presiding officer in the Welsh Assembly, came up with the idea last year.

She said: “The date is a momentous occasion and one which we cannot forget.

“We started to put the idea together about 18 months ago. It has been hard going but it is well worth it.”

Caerleon Remembers will comprise a series of events, including a performance at St Cadoc’s Church.

“The performance will focus on 31 men who are on the roll of honour at the church,” said Dame Butler, who lives in Caerleon.

“It will begin with the laying of poppies. Relatives of ten of the men will be attending too.

“Musical contributions will come from local choirs - the Chordis Caerllion String Orchestra, tenor Jamie Bull accompanied by Martyn Jones, and soprano Christine Purkiss.

“Local author Sylvia Mason will also tell us about Newport women who served and died as a result of the conflict.”

She added: “For the event, Caerleon’s Prosecco and Purls group have created a drape of poppies to decorate the church.

“A hanging feature will be on public view for the first time too. It has been made by St Cadoc’s Church Ladies. I understand this hanging is almost as long as the Bayeux Tapestry.”

Caerleon Remembers will also include an exhibition – put together by historian Chris Thomas – exploring the lives of the men on the church roll of honour, as well as a book containing children’s imaginary letters.

Mr Thomas said: “People should come so the community can make the connection with 100 years ago. The details can be so easily lost and we must not allow that to happen.”

And Dame Butler said: “We invited pupils from Lodge Hill Primary School and Charles Williams Church in Wales to write imaginary letters from or to the front line.

“They will soon be included in a book called Sent With Love which will be published in November.”

She added: “Caerleon Remembers will also be planning to erect a commemoration of the armistice, in the form of a silhouette of a soldier, in a prominent place in Caerleon.”

The concert will take place on Saturday, November 10 from 7pm at St Cadoc’s Church. Tickets are available at Caerleon Post Office and cannot be bought on the night.

The exhibition will be taking place at the same place from November 13 to November 24, 10am-4pm.

The team behind the Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) charity will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice by adorning the iconic red aircraft with 100 poppies.

In addition to the 100 poppies, the South Wales helicopter has ‘100’ in gold lettering across its nose.

Captain Grant Elgar, who served in the British Army for 23 years and was a Gazelle helicopter pilot, is now WAA’s senior pilot.

He said: “A handful of the pilots and medics who work on board the WAA helicopters are either former or currently serving military personnel.

“All of our crews across Wales felt that it was important for us to respectfully mark this occasion and acknowledge the sacrifice of others.

“Every time our helicopters take to the skies over the next two weeks it will be in honour of our heroes.”

Welsh flying medic, Dr Ami Jones, is also a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves.

She said: “Those of us who have been a part of the armed forces understand the impact that conflict has, not just on the individual but on their family and friends. “People who are prepared to make the greatest sacrifice deserve the highest respect and our service is demonstrating our appreciation in a dignified way.”

Pupils at Dewstow Primary School in Caldicot will create an artistic tribute to the war dead.

On Friday, November 9, each child will receive a pebble to decorate around the theme of remembrance day.

The children will then hide the pebbles in the local community for other people to find.

The money raised by the children will be donated to the Royal British Legion.

Chepstow’s Drill Hall will host a lecture on the art of the First World War, looking at how powerful works captured the bleakness, hopelessness and tragedy of life on the front lines.

Mud and Glory: The Art of World War One will be held at the Drill Hall on November 4, 2.30pm.

The lecture will be repeated at Monmouth’s Shire Hall on November 8, 7.30pm.

In the Legion Club on Newport's Queen Street, the Royal British Legion will host a pub quix and bingo on November 10, 7.30pm.