Caerwys and the Great War

I gave a talk yesterday evening to the Caerwys WI on life in the town during the Great War. As the 100th anniversary of the war rapidly approaches it may become a topic that interests more and more people. I appreciated the chance to share my research and thoughts on the impact of the war on this small Welsh community. The talk was accompanied by some of the well-known images of the period from 'Caerwys Since Victorian Times' book. I ended by reading some extracts from the diary of the teenage William Herbert Lloyd of Hyfrydle, Caerwys. Lloyd kept his diary in 1916 and it provides a fascinating insight into life in the town during those tumultuous years. The diary has added poignancy as Lloyd, who became eighteen before the war ended, was called up to serve in France. Tragically he was killed just weeks before the armistice. The talk appropriately took place in the Memorial Institute - a building erected to commemorate those that did not return to Caerwys after the war. William Herbert Lloyd's name is on a stone plaque near the entrance doors.

William Herbert Lloyd