by Peter Garwood
(courtesy of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs)
Minnie James and the Temple of Peace and Health
In November 1938 she was thrust into the limelight when Lord David Davies decided that he would like to have a Welsh mother who had lost sons in the Great War to open the new Welsh National Temple of Peace and Health, on behalf of all mothers who had lost sons.
Minnie James was invited to see the Temple of Peace for a personal visit by Lord Davies on 10th November 1938. This was to give her an idea of what was expected and to provide a news item to give extra publicity to the opening a few weeks away.
Interviewed by the press she explained that she had a “drawer of secrets”, at home in which she kept mementoes of her three sons who gave their lives for their country. This was their school certificates, fading letters from the front, little presents given to her by the boys when home on leave, and their medals. She stated that these items would be buried with her when she dies; that they were hers and belonged to no-one else.
She was taken down into the crypt “where the Welsh Book of Remembrance will be placed”. She told the press that she thought it was lovely. She thought her sons would be: “so proud of me – I am happy to be chosen for their sake.” She explained how her boys had served and died. She explained that on each Armistice Day she stays at home and during the two minutes silence goes to her sons’ bedroom alone, but for the memory. She told the press that “all who come into this building must feel strongly for peace. It will be lovely for the young people to come here. They will be so impressed. And the mothers and fathers, too, for the sake of their children must come here.” She explained that her three sons had worked at the Dowlais Works; there a tablet records their sacrifice.
As she left the Temple she turned for a moment to look at it again She said: “I feel so happy for my sons. I shall feel them near me when I come back to open this beautiful building.”
Lord Davies invited a total of 24 mothers from all over the United Kingdom and allied countries to the opening, laying on a special train from London.
- Representing Northern Ireland was Mrs Nixon of Portrush, Co. Antrim. Four out of her five sons served and died in the Great War – three killed in action, one from wounds received on active service. Her husband had served with Lord Roberts at Kandahar. Mrs Nixon wore 20 medals at the opening ceremony.
- Representing the Scottish Highlands was Mrs Mary Lamont of Pitlochry (The home town of Lady Davies). Three sons served, one killed, one discharged, one wounded, one son still serving in India.
- Representing North-East England was Mrs R. Gibson, of Newcastle on Tyne. Two sons served, both killed. Husband was with relief force sent for General Gordon, re-enlisted in the Great War.
- Representing North-West England: Mrs R. Houlgrave of Liverpool. Lost four sons in the War, one dying a prisoner in Turkey, another dying after discharge. A fifth son served and survived.
- Representing East Anglia: Mrs E. Lewer of Aldeburgh, Suffolk. Lost her only son in the first Territorial Unit to go into action 1914.
- Representing London: Mrs M.A. Sawyer, of Battersea, Daughter of a Crimean veteran. Had three sons serving, one killed, one subsequently died and one incapacitated.
……to be continued.
Original article can by found at:
http://wcia.org.uk/Senedd/WomenWarPeace_Stories_MinnieJames.html