The recent news that many Caernarfon people are desirous of having the cenotaph situated on Twtil Bach moved to a more accessible location is welcomed. One can well appreciate how difficult it is for ageing ex-service veterans to go up there to pay their respects to the fallen of the County of Caernarfon in what was termed as the Boer War.
It may come as a surprise to many to realize that the cenotaph was erected as a mark of respect for 24 servicemen from all over the county who lost their lives in the war and 8 of the 24 came from the town of Caernarfon itself. In all 188 from the County of Caernarfon served in South Africa, 92 of which were from Caernarfon itself, almost a half of the total.
In view of the above it was decided that the cenotaph be erected in the town and as a large proportion came from the Twtil area, 28 were from Mountain Street alone, Twtil Bach offered itself as an ideal location overlooking the Menai Straits.
The official unveiling took place at 3.30 in the afternoon of July 2. 1904. The Chief Constable, Lord Lieutenant, Mayors of Caernarfon, Bangor, Conwy and Pwllheli were present, together with Town Councillors and members of the Memorial Committee. There were also representations from the various Regiments who had served in the war and leading the procession was the Band of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The ceremony was followed with a march through the town to the County Hall, where Mrs. Assheton-Smith unveiled a plaque with the names of the 188 who served in the war on behalf of the subscribers and presented it to the County Council’s Chairman, who received it on behalf of the Council. The Officer Commanding the 23rd Regimental District spoke on behalf of the services.
If the monument is to be moved, then it is felt that it should remain in the area and Sgwâr Twtil should seriously be considered as a new location.
It may come as a surprise to many to realize that the cenotaph was erected as a mark of respect for 24 servicemen from all over the county who lost their lives in the war and 8 of the 24 came from the town of Caernarfon itself. In all 188 from the County of Caernarfon served in South Africa, 92 of which were from Caernarfon itself, almost a half of the total.
In view of the above it was decided that the cenotaph be erected in the town and as a large proportion came from the Twtil area, 28 were from Mountain Street alone, Twtil Bach offered itself as an ideal location overlooking the Menai Straits.
The official unveiling took place at 3.30 in the afternoon of July 2. 1904. The Chief Constable, Lord Lieutenant, Mayors of Caernarfon, Bangor, Conwy and Pwllheli were present, together with Town Councillors and members of the Memorial Committee. There were also representations from the various Regiments who had served in the war and leading the procession was the Band of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The ceremony was followed with a march through the town to the County Hall, where Mrs. Assheton-Smith unveiled a plaque with the names of the 188 who served in the war on behalf of the subscribers and presented it to the County Council’s Chairman, who received it on behalf of the Council. The Officer Commanding the 23rd Regimental District spoke on behalf of the services.
If the monument is to be moved, then it is felt that it should remain in the area and Sgwâr Twtil should seriously be considered as a new location.
