Post by BereniceUK on May 8, 2017 15:40:10 GMT
Home from the War.
Treherbert's Welcome Home to her Soldiers.
The populace of Treherbert are always to the front in showing their patriotic feeling towards their wounded soldiers. On Wednesday evening, Privates Tom Williams and P. Nicholas, of the 1st Welsh, returned invalided home from the front. Their arrival home was not known until Wednesday morning, but notwithstanding this fact the railway station was crowded with an eager crowd awaiting the arrival of their two heroes. When the 8.45 train, bearing its gallant passengers, arrived, there were hundreds of throats screeching cheers of "welcome home." Only Private Tom Williams was expected, but Private Nicholas came to Treherbert to his parents, who were living there when he last received a letter from them, but to his disappointment he found they had removed to the lower part of the Valley. However, thanks to the liberality of the inhabitants, several offered a place for the night. A conveyance was waiting for them at the station, and in this both heroes were driven along with their relatives. No sooner had they detrained than the Town Band struck up "See the conquering hero comes." A monster procession was formed, headed by the band, followed by the invalids waving Union Jacks. Behind was a concourse of people discussing the battles which the two had taken part in. In fact, the welcome home, surprising as it was, was incomparable to the privations and sufferings which they had undergone, with the result that though they fully appreciated the warm reception given, they were too heroic to give way to the sensations which pervaded everyone else in the vicinity. The procession wended its way through the main streets, as far as the Cardiff Arms Hotel, Treorchy. Loud cheers were given at intervals, but the police officers kept the crowd in good order. The police wired to Nicholas' parents, who, on receiving the message, and it being too late for a train, the latter walked all the way from Hafod to Treherbert, they being so anxious to see him. He has seen many engagements, and was severely wounded in the battle of Paardeberg in the nose, shoulder and hand. Private Tom Williams was well known at Treherbert. He enlisted about nine years ago in the 1st Welsh, and served six years and nine months in India, when he returned home as a reservist. After the commencement of hostilities he was called upon to serve his country, and answered to the call without a moment's hesitation. He was drafted to the front, and fought with Lord Roberts' forces at Paardeberg and Driefontein, where the Welsh so bravely distinguished themselves. He was present at the ever memorable march to Bloemfontein. He, unfortunately, became a victim to enteric fever, and was accordingly invalided home. He is 30 years of age, and now resides with his parents at Treherbert.
(The Rhondda Leader, Saturday 7th July 1900)