Readings to remember Frank Richards

I have just been informed that the Nantyglo and Blaina Town Council and the Gwent Western Front Association will hold a commemorative event:

Readings of Frank Richards, Blaina's celebrated author of 'Old Soldiers Never Die'

With Music by Ebbw Vale Male Choir

MC Steve Taylor, formerly of ITV Wales News

Salem Chapel, Blaina

Tuesday 5th August 2014, 7.30 (doors open 7.00)

Entry by ticket, free from

Nantyglo and Blaina Town Council (01495 292817)

Gwent Western Front Association (01291 425638)

[and I assume by 7.30 they mean 19.30]

John

Should make an interesting evening, not least for Salem chapel's elders if certain of Frank's passages are read out!

Clive

Exactly what I thought, Clive. But the reader(s) will probably leave out the juicier bits.

John

Hello John, Robert and Margaret ( Frank's daughter ) invited me to this event. It was a good show all in all. I had a natter with Margaret and Robert over old times.Church Street is now like a glorified car park.One mistake was made on the programme in as much as Frank's M M was left off the programme. Margaret dedicated 5 copies of O S N D and O S S whilst I was there.More later.
Regards R B D

Hello John,
On the subject of the readings in commemoration of Frank Richards. On searching my family's history I came across the following information. An uncle on my mothers side joined the R W F in Cardiff his details are as follow. Number 8616 Pte Royal Welsh Fusiliers he enlisted in Cardiff. Service towards limited engagement from 25/01/05, Joined at Wrexham 27/01/05.table 1 lists the following Examined on 25 of January 1905,in Cardiff aged 18 and a half,trade Butcher, Height 5 foot 4 and 7/8ths Weight 119 lbs, Chest 31 and a half inch, maximum expansion 33 and a half inches,Physical condition good at Cardiff on the 25/01/1905, to join the Royal Welsh Fusiliers number 8616.
the next is a bit blurred Station or troopship, ? ? Northern Star, sailing for Aggra and Schewbo. Aggra on the 13/12/07 Schewbo on the 9/01/08. Header shows Country Home from 25th of January 05 to 8th of January 1907, India 9/1/1907 to 14/12/1907, Burma 15/12/1907 to 9/1/1911, India from 10/1/1911, to 8/11/1912, Home (/11/1912, to 20/9/1914 a total of 9 years and 251 days.service. He passed his 3rd and second class education certificates. N O K Father William Undery 4 Leckwith Road Canton Cardiff by coincidence he may have came into contact of Frank Richards, a matter for conjecture
Regards R B D aka jungle1810

Thanks for that, Don. Very interesting as always.

Richards went home from India in late 1907, if I remember correctly, so he may well have known your grand uncle. It's a small world...

John