Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society are pleased to announce the start of our Autumn/Winter Series of illustrated talks.

This year the talks will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at Crosskeys RFC.

We start with a talk on Wednesday 4th October 2023

Doors open at 7.00pm ready for a 7.30pm start.

The 130th (St John) Field Ambulance 1914-1918

Delivered by guest speaker Mr Stephen Lyons.

This talk retells the history of a unique Welsh medical unit in World War One.

It was the only unit in the war to be recruited for Lloyd George’s army by St John,s Ambulance and provided medical services at the battles of Mametz Wood in 1916 and Pilckem Ridge (1917).

The talk covers recruitment, training and its three years service in France and Flanders with particular reference to the many men  who were from the Ebbw Valley and how the people of the valley responded to helping the war effort.

The talk makes use of diaries written by the men and includes a great deal of personal detail as to how the men lived and served.

About Stephen Lyons

Stephen is a popular character who has presented talks to CTS before – he describes himself as an Actor, Presenter of Presentations, Word Wrangler, Unraveller of History, Tracer of Ancestry and he led the local campaign to restore and protect the Greenmeadow Burial Ground in order to properly commemorate those who died in the Blackvein Disaster of 1860.

Entry to the talk is FREE to CTS members or £3.00 to non-members (you can become a member of CTS for £10 on the night if you wish)

Drinks available at the Bar ~

A raffle will be held on the night (donations of prizes to the raffle are very welcome)

All proceeds go towards the work of Cymdeithas Twmbarlwm Society

You could help us out and download the poster below, print it out and display it where everyone can see it.