Yesterday I received two brilliant books (or rather the Welsh language and English
language version of the same book) Dolgellau a'r Rhyfel Mawr and Dolgellau and the
Great War by Dai Sheppard. As the introduction says:
"Of the millions who lost their lives in the First World War, 107 of them are
commemorated on the war memorial in Dolgellau. These people weren't statistics but
individuals with their own unique stories. This book is an attempt to tell their stories
so that they are not forgotten. "
The books have biographical and family information about all of the names carved on the
Dolgellau Cenotaph which have been carefully researched by the author. I previously knew
that three of those remembered were related to me; but a quick read through these volumes
has already more than doubled that number, I now know that at least seven of the fallen
were relations. As I have time to further my research I'm sure I'll find even more
connections. I would highly recommend that anybody with family connections in Dolgellau
at the turn of the 19th/20th centauries obtain a copy.
The books cost £7.50 each plus p&p and purchase details can be obtained from the
author by emailing cofebdolgellau[at]hotmail.co.uk
Alwyn