Ystalyfera Fallen

The information on Richard Gunton Michael has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the archives of the Llais local newspaper, and detail upon local memorials.

Richard Gunton Michael is remembered on the Ystalyfera County School War Memorial.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 4th December 1915 :-

HEADMASTER'S WIFE DEAD

The deepest sympathy is being extended to Mr Rees Evans, headmaster of Cwmgorse Council School, in the loss he sustained by the sudden death of his wife, Mrs Mary Annie Evans.

Deceased was only 31 years of age, and was the eldest daughter of the late Mr Llewelyn Michael and Mrs Michael, of Dolcoed Pontardawe. Last Monday week she complained of feeling unwell and was obliged to take to her bed. She was attended by Dr James of Gwauncaegurwen. Her condition gradually grew worse and on Thursday she was removed to the Swansea Hospital for a serious operation. This was performed about 1 o'clock on Thursday but Mrs Evans never regained consciousness. The news of her death reached Pontardawe and Cwmgorse in the evening and it caused quite a gloom over the districts. Her body was conveyed to Dolcoed Pontardawe on Friday evening and there it remained until the interment on Tuesday.

Prior to her marriage the deceased was engaged as a school teacher at Gwauncaegurwen. She had always been of a very bright and amiable disposition and was held in the highest esteem by all. On the Friday prior to her death she paid a visit with her two little children to Dolcoed Pontardawe and she appeared to be in splendid health. Little her friends than thought that her end was so near and that her body would be brought to Dolcoed in a week

THE FUNERAL

The remains of Mrs Evans were interred at New Carmel Cemetery Cwmgorse on Tuesday afternoon amid manifestations of deep regret. There were a large number of sympathisers present, notwithstanding the inclement weather. A short service was held at Dolcoed before the cortege left for Cwmgorse.

The following is a list of the mourners: Mr Rees Evans husband; Mrs Llewelyn Michael mother of deceased; Mr and Mrs H Scale brother in law and sister; Trooper Phil L Michael brother; Gwilym M Michael brother; Richard G Michael brother; Rev E D Evans and Mrs Evans Pontycymmer brother in law and sister in law; Mr and Mrs John D Evans Gwauncaegurwen; Mr and Mrs Daniel Morgan Gwauncaegurwen; Mr and Mrs D Gabe Brecon Road; Mr Morgan Michael Glanffrwd Pontardulais;

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 23rd June 1917 :-

Bombardier Gwilym Morgan Michael of the RGA whose home is at Dolycoed, returned to his depot on Thursday after having been on draft leave before going to Egypt, where he has already one brother serving, whilst another is in France. He has been with the colours for 12 months.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 30th June 1917 :-

At the works reading room on Tuesday evening of last week, a presentation meeting was held under the auspices of the Pontardawe and District S and S Welfare Association. Councillor Ben Lloyd presided. The recipients of the cheques were Bombardier Gwilym Michael RFA and Private Ronald Barnfield of the RWF and the presentations were made by Messrs Sl Williams and W H Howell.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 14th July 1917 :-

News has been received that Private Gunton Michael of the Yorks and Lancs Regiment, son of the late Mr Llew Michael and Mrs Michael Dolycoed Brecon Road, was killed in action on 8th June. Prior to joining he was employed at the Capital and Counties Bank Newham and joined up in October last. His brother Bombardier Gwilym Michael is leaving for Egypt whilst another, Trooper Phil Michael is in France. Deceased was only 19 years of age and was an old Ystalyfera County School boy.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 4th August 1917 :-

MEMORIAL SERVICE

An impressive memorial service was held at St. Peters Church on Sunday when there was a very large congregation from all denominations. The Revs Joel J. Davies, B.D., and Mr Jenkins, officiated. The memorial was in memory of the following men who have recently fallen:
Lieut. J. Howard Davies, 4th R. W. F.
Pte James Battenbough, 6th Welsh Regt
Pte John Jones, 3rd Welsh
Pte R Gunton Michael, 8th Yorks and Lancs
Pte William Williams, 6th S.W.B.

Gunner Wm J Hopkins, R.G.A.,
Privates Albert E. Hewer, 1st Gloucesters
Henry F Thomas, lst RWF missing presumed dead.

Prayers were offered for the heroes, and for those now serving and Mr Ioan Williams played the "Dead March" on the organ after which Scout Richie Howells sounded the last post. The local Volunteer Company, under Captain F R Phillips and Second Lieutenant J Morris Jones paraded together with the Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster David Williams.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 8th March 1919 :-

WANTED
General servant. Good home. References. Mrs Michael, Dolcoed, Pontardawe. Apply to Mrs Howel Scale, Drapers, Pontardawe.

Richard Gunton Michael, known generally as Gunton Michael, is remembered on the Pontardawe War Memorial, and on the memorial inside Saint Peter's Church, Pontardawe. Click to view full-sized:-

Pontardawe War Memorial		The WW1 Plaque on Pontardawe War Memorial, where R. Gunton Michael is third from bottom in the centre row.

Saint Peter's Church, Pontardawe, viewed from behind		Saint Peter's Church, Pontardawe, viewed from the front