Tywyn remembers the Anglo-Boer War – 10 August 2002

Tywyn, a small seaside town in Merionethshire, Wales stopped for a day to remember the five local men from the 24th South Wales Borderers and one nurse who volunteered to serve in South Africa one hundred years ago. All returned home safely, except for Captain Edward Kirkby who was severely wounded and was to be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

On their return, the local heroes received a civic reception and on Coronation Day 1902 a tablet in their honour was unveiled in the main street listing the names of Captain Kirkby, his brother Lieutenant Harold Kirkby, Sergeant ‘Ianto’ Evan Jones, Privates William Jones, John Morris, Robert Richards of F Company, 5th Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers and Sister Myfanwy Pughe ARRC. The monument still stands today.

Tywyn is famous for narrow gauge railway – the Talyllyn – which was opened in 1865 and is now run by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. When our heroes returned from the Anglo-Boer war in 1902, the railway company renamed locomotive No. 2 ‘Dolgoch’ to ‘Pretoria’ to honour their achievements and sacrifices. The 0-4-0 tank engine built in 1866, which is still in service today, continued to carry its new name for a few years until it was repainted.

At an impressive ceremony at the Wharf Station Tywyn of the Talyllyn on Saturday 10 August 2002, Engine ‘Dolgoch’ was again renamed ’Pretoria’ by Dr Eric Sutherland, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Gwynedd. Tywyn has not forgotten its heroes who served in South Africa one hundred years ago. For more information on ‘Dolgoch’ and the Talyllyn Railway, visit www.talyllyn.co.uk