The First World War - In the Borough of Conwy

Full colour version: In the four years it lasted the Great War caused the deaths of eight million men. It saw the collapse of three empires - Germany, Austro-Hungary and Russia. This was the first industrial war, with major technological advances, mass production and the general mobilisation of all human and economic resources. it is not surprising that the war had a major impact on our semi-rural bilingual community in north-west Wales. We are grateful to Deganwy resident Adrian Hughes for his detailed research published here. He has not given us an 'officers' war', but a sober account of the war's impact on both enlisted men and civilians and shows how the conflict impacted on our local landscape. This booklet is based on a talk given by Adrian Hughes in Llandudno Junction in September 2017. Now is a fitting time to reflect on the many ways in which Deganwy, Conwy and Llandudno Junction contributed to the war effort and were affected by it. In memory of those local young men who lost their lives, we have taken the opportunity of this anniversary to make their names and some of their stories known and available to all. The names of young men from the borough of Conwy do not appear together on any plaque or memorial, and are printed here lest we forget. Those who died were, of course, brothers, husbands, fathers, sons. Adrian Hughes's work illustrates the complex and conflicting nature of war, its capacity to elicit destructive instincts, as well as great examples of co-operation, courage, heroism, and camaraderie.* The proceeds from sale of this booklet will be divided between the Poppy Appeal and Conwy Citizens Advice. Bill Chapman JP, Mayor of Conwy, November 2017.