Preece Family Tree

TOLL OF THE WAR.

CWMAMAN HERO DEAD.

We regret to announce the death, which occurred on Saturday last at the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland, of Sergeant Morgan Thomas (No. 5775), 12 Aman Street, of the 2nd Welsh Regiment (C. Company), now at the front. Sergeant Thomas, who was a Reservist, was drafted to the front on August 5th, and went through the battle of Moins unscathed. At the battle of Ypres on November 17th he was wounded in the head by a bullet which penetrated the right cheek and came out through the left eye. He was sent to the Duchess of Westminster's Hospital at La Tonquet, Paris, where he remained unlil the beginning of this year. He was then transferred to England, and taken to the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland, where he succumbed to his wounds. The deceased hero, who was 39 years of age on Friday last, was highly popular in the locality, and possessed a host of friends. The body was brought home on Sunday last. The funeral (military) takes place on Thursday (to-day). He leaves a sorrowing widow and six little children, the eldest of whom is only 11 years of age.

Cwmaman Military Funeral.

AN IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE.

Impressive scenes marked the interment on Thursday last at the Aberdare Public Cemetery of Sergeant Morgan Thomas, Cwmaman (C Company, 2nd Welsh), whose death we reported in our last issue. Throngs of spectators lined the whole length of the route from Cwmaman to the Cemetery. The coffin, draped with the Union Jack and covered with wreaths, was borne on the shoulders of soldiers all the way. The Cwmaman Institute Silver Band, conducted by Mr R. S. Howells, played the "Dead March" from "Saul" en route. The procession was as follows:- General Public; Cwmaman and Godreaman Lodges, R.A.O..B; Boy Scouts and Church Lads Brigade; Cwmaman, Aberaman, Aberdare, and Trecynon Ambulance Brigades; the Firing Party; Cwmaman Institute Silver Band and Committee; the body, with cap, belt, and bayonet; soldiers, representing various regiments. The marshals were Police-Sergeant Lane, Cwmaman, and Messrs. W. T. Wood, F. Major, and John Howells, Mount Pleasant Lodge, R.A.O.B. At the graveside touching addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. D. Morris, Soar, and J. Lewis, Hebron. The Rev. I. J. Williams, Vicar, officiated at the house. The R.A.O.B. ceremony was conducted by the Mount Pleasant Lodge Chaplain, Mr. W. D. Humphries. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the "Last Post" was sounded by the buglers. The mourners were: Messrs. David Thomas and Thomas Thomas, brothers; David Lloyd and William Edwards, brothers-in-law, Cwmaman; John Griffiths, Llwvnypia; Tom Thomas, Cwmaman; Ex-Superintendent John Davies, Llangammarch Wells; David James, Llanelly, uncles; John Griffiths, Stedman Griffiths, William Thomas Griffiths, Llwynypia; Lewis Thomas Griffiths, Maesteg; John George Griffiths, William Edwards, Stedman John Davies, Stephen John Griffiths, Evan John Hughes, Evan Stedman Griffiths, Lot Rees, Cwmaman, cousins; Private Jack Coughlin, brother-in-law; Privates John Christopher and John Eversham, Aberaman; Privates Richard Isaac and T. Carbin, Messrs. John Isaac and William Isaac, Penydarren, cousins. First coach, Widow; Lilian, Thomas, Jennie, William, and Christina Thomas, children; Mrs. Jane Edwards, Mrs. Elizabeth Lloyd, sisters; Mrs. K. Thomas, sister-in-law; Masters Islwyn Lloyd and Evan John Thomas, and Miss Mary Edwards, nephews and niece; 2nd coach. Miss Hannah Shaw and Mrs. Bessie Jenkins, Cefn; Mrs. E. J. Coughlin, sisters-in-law; Mrs. M. Carbin. Penydarren; Mrs. Isaac, Dowlais; Mrs. Christopher, cousins; Masters John Haydn Edwards, nephew; 3rd coach, Mr. and Mrs. Stedman Griffiths, uncle and aunt; Miss Mary Griffiths, Miss Bessie Griffiths, and Edgar Griffiths, nieces and nephews; 4th coach, Mr. Evan Davies, uncle; Mesdames Hannah Thomas, Elizabeth Jones, Mary Rees. Blodwen Hughes. and Ann Davies, cousins; 5th coach, Mrs. Bess Morris. Miss P. J. Thomas, Edith Thomas. cousins; Mrs. Christopher and Mrs. Eli Richards, friends; 6th coach. Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards, Mrs. S. J. Garbett. and Master Garbett, Crynant; Mrs. John George Griffiths, Master Morgan Griffiths, aunts and nephew. Beautiful floral tributes were sent by: (1) Cwmaman Institute Silver Band; (2) Mount Pleasant Lodge, R.A.O.B.