Monday 18 October 2010

Photo mystery solved!

This photograph is rather a mystery. The inscrption on the bottom of the image reads 'CHURCH PARADE CAERWYS 1909'. It was probably associated with the military training camps held around Caerwys in the years before the First World War (the Ministry of Defence still holds training exercises on land around Moel y Parc). However, the sheer scale of the event captured in this picture is intriguing. It shows at least 8 priests and what appears to be hundreds of soldiers on the hill side. It is not obvious where this event took place, although I am inclined to think it is on the slopes of Moel y Parc. Military camps were a feature of life in Caerwys in the Edwardian years. Can anybody can shed light on this image?

UPDATE!
The mystery is solved! I was shown an article from a magazine published nearly 20 years ago entitled 'The Great Battle of Caerwys Camp' written by the late Tom Lloyd Roberts of Caerwys. The troops shown on the field near Moel y Parc (I was right there) were part of an enormous military exercise taking place during August 1909. In all 12000 soldiers and officers took part, and many were on that hill side photograph. Considering that the population of Caerwys was only around 600, the arrival of such vast numbers must have placed a strain on the local population. I will find out more as soon as possible. My thanks to George Gallagher for drawing this article to my attention.

1 comment:

  1. Hi Timbo,

    Do you have the original photo or a high definition scan? It might be possible to identify the cap badge of the corporal in the foreground. It looks as though it could be that of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Perhaps the regimental museum in Caernarfon could help?

    Cheers

    Mark

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