Ceremony honours plant's war dead

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Memorial plaques to workers a cement works who died during World War II have been re-dedicated

Six servicemen who died during World War II have been commemorated following the discovery of two memorial plaques bearing their names at a cement works.

The war memorial plaques were found at the Lafarge plant in Aberthaw, Vale of Glamorgan, in 2007.

Three of the men had worked at the plant while the others were employed at the former cement works in Rhoose.

Relatives of five of the men travelled from around the UK to attend a rededication service on Wednesday.

Lafarge staff member Rolly Hughes found the plaques in a disused building and persuaded plant bosses to restore them.

Mr Hughes and human resources officer Ruth Tofton then set to work to uncover the stories behind the names.

THE SIX SERVICEMEN Robert Baxter: Originally from Ireland, he served as a private with the North Lancashire Regiment. He died on 21 April 1942, aged 23, and is buried in Malaya Herbert Ian Bowen: He served as a private with the 4th battalion of the Welch Regiment. He was killed on 23 July 1944, aged 21 Sgt Percival Ivor Dursley: He was an air gunner with the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was killed on 11 November 1943, aged 21, and is buried in Gambia John William Mucklow: He joined the Royal Navy and, as a first class engine room artificer with HMS Jupiter, was killed on 27 February 1942 at the age of 22 Cpl Kenneth William Clarence Thomas: He served with the Royal Corps of Signals and was killed on the night of 9-10 September 1944, aged 24. He is buried in Arlington national cemetery in the USA Alfred Thomas Williams: He served as an able seaman aboard HMS Galatea. He was killed on 15 December 1941 at the age of 22 and is commemorated on the Plymouth naval memorial.

"It's been a long but fascinating journey," said Ms Tofton.

"We gleaned information from lots of sources including museum archives and the records office, but the personal details came from the accounts of friends and relatives who came forward after we appealed for help through the local media."

Together with the efforts of head teacher and war history enthusiast Dr Jonathan Hicks, the relatives of all but one of the men were traced.

Relatives at the service laid wreaths during the re-dedication service and paid tribute to the men, while the RAF St Athan Voluntary Band performed the Last Post.

Neil Dursley, 66, Percival Dursley's brother, said: "I was about eight months old when he died and I've lived with him all these years through pictures and letters.

"I've got a few bits and pieces, I've got one of his shirts and his penknife but to have this re-dedication service makes it all worthwhile."

His sister Valerie Ireland, 83, added: "When these plaques were put up in 1947 I don't think we had a ceremony and today brought back memories. We have met a lot of friends because we were a close village.

"All those lads must have gone to the same school and I'm sure they all finished at the age of 14.

"One of the lads lived next door and three lads were killed from our 12 terraced houses, which does not seem fair."

Kenneth Thomas's sister Marlene Delafontaine said the service brought back some sad memories.

"I was 10 when my mother and father had the news and the house was terrible, nobody spoke and there was no music. It brought it all back, but we never really forgot him.

"I was a baby and he used to put me on his shoulders. We were so proud of him, it was absolutely wonderful to come here today.

"It was great to have the opportunity to do this, not just for our family but for all the village boys who gave their lives."

Lafarge has created an information board to stand beside the refurbished memorials, which will be housed in the company's meeting rooms at the Aberthaw plant.

Photographs, details of the men's roles and accounts of their war efforts are provided along with details of their work in the cement industry.

Mr Hughes said: "Three of the men were employed here at Aberthaw works and the remaining trio worked at the former cement plant in Rhoose, which was closed in 1987.

"Both plants were run by the Aberthaw and Bristol Channel Portland Cement Company and we actually found accounts of when the plaques were first created and dedicated in copies of the company's newsletters from the late 1940s.

"The articles relate how the company chairman, Mr A Jenour, came out from head office to the works and a service was attended by relatives, with the vicar of Penmark officiating over the dedication."