Service of Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the ending of WW2.
Sunday 10th July 2005, at Oakdale Cenotaph and St. David’s Church.
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Cllr. Allan Pritchard, guest speaker at the Cenotaph.
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O’r dyfnderoedd bydded goleuni
Out of the darkness let there be light.
These are the words that are inscribed on the Oakdale colliery memorial, near to where the headgears stood at the former
colliery site.
These words would also have been most appropriate 60 years ago when the second world ward ended.
For there is no doubt that the years 1939 to 45 were very, very, dark days, and it was with the ending of the war that so
many wanted to see the light shine through the war clouds that had gathered over Europe and far beyond.
Young men from this community of Oakdale made the ultimate sacrifice in laying down their lives for their country.
However, most of the men of this community did not go off to fight the foreign foe, but stayed at home to mine the
much needed coal that fuelled our industry, our nation, our naval ships and our merchant fleets.
Life was extremely tough for our armed forces and far too many of our young men were killed, or suffered horrendous
injuries from which they never fully recovered.
At a different level, the same can be said of those who toiled in the mines in almost battlefield conditions and with
rationing that only just about sustained their families and themselves. Yes, life was tough on both sides of the channel
weather you were in a stinking dug-out, crammed into an aircraft, stifling below deck, stoking the boiler of a merchant ship,
or 2,000 ft underground mining in some very hostile conditions.
The successes and strengths that came through during that war time period, was the fortitude of those at the front
and the support and commitment that came from these home shores.
The relief, joy, grief, sadness and all the other emotions came spilling out at the end of a war that had lasted for six
long years.
But through those years there was one section of the community who have never been given the true recognition they
deserved.
The ‘mam’.
· The mam, who somehow managed to put food onto the table even though the pantry appeared to be empty.
· The mam, who looked after the house and kept order in a time of disorder.
· The mam, who managed to fill the grub box when there was very little grub available.
· The mam, who washed the dirty working cloths of her collier husband and four sons.
· The mam, who went without to make sure that others were fed.
· The mam, who worked 16 hours a day without any pay or holidays.
· The mam, who made as great a sacrifice and contribution as any collier during those dark, dark days.
· Yes, the mam who never received a pay packet or a medal but deserved both
(Allan Pritchard) – earliest recollection
One of my very earliest recollections was the celebration at the end of the war – part of that celebration was a bonfire
in Llwynon crescent (known as banana island to the locals). It was set up between Edgar Lane’s house and
Bill Tudball’s.
And I must tell you that this celebration achieved something that hitler had failed to do.
All the lights went out in that part of Oakdale, as the overhead electric lines were burned down by the bonfire.
The melted tarmac and the scorched crater where the bonfire had been were visible for a number of years after
the war.
The Bevin Boys (ballotees)
Oakdale became one of the major centres in Wales for the training and placement of the Bevin boys.
Ernest Bevin recognised that the war would be won as much on coal as it would on shot and shell and so he
introduced the ballottee system of recruitment to the mines.
These young men, many of whom would have far preferred to have gone to the forces rather than be transferred
to work in our coal mines.
They came into our communities from many and varied backgrounds and from all parts of the country.
Most of them left the mines and returned home as soon as they were able to. But some stayed and settled in the
area permanently, adding colour and variety to the community.
The displaced persons camp – (the hostels at Maesygarn)
Oakdale also became a significant centre for many displaced persons from Europe. As you would expect, they also
added colour to the village in a very different way, as their different cultures, languages and life styles sometimes caused
friction in their ranks. However, slowly but surely these men from war torn Europe also integrated into the local
community.
Many of them found work at the local mines and it was here that their contribution was greatly valued.
Almost without exception, these men were very hard working and adapted to mining without too many problems.
The Poles in particular became some of the most respected miners by their sheer hard work and also an attitude to
work that made them stand out as exceptional miners.
Tolerance.
Oakdale has a proud history of welcoming people from outside into the community, like the;
· Bevin boys
· Slavs
· Russians
· Ukranians
· Dutch
· and Poles
After all, this village of ours was founded after the cutting of the sod at the colliery by Mrs. Markham, which
commenced the sinking of the mine shafts in 1907. The vast majority of people who moved to work here came from
far and wide. So it could be said that most of us are incomers anyway.
It would appear that Oakdale people had become Europeans long before a united Europe or the E.E.C. had ever
been thought of. And so, the Second World War had a far greater impact on the village of Oakdale than is generally
recognised.
The war totally reshaped our community by bringing together people who would not otherwise have met to form a
‘melting pot’ of tolerance and understanding within Gods Little Acre that we know as Oakdale.
Let us hope, that by our own tolerance and understanding of the past, we will never again be faced with a situation
in Europe or anywhere else in the world like that of 1939/45.
War must be the absolute last resort in the defence of our country. We should never resort to being the
agressor like Nazi Germany and the like.
Let us all commemorate the 60 years since the 2nd World War ended and remember the sacrifices that were made
in the everlasting hope of us all living in a safer and better world.
The events in London this week are a stark reminder of how delicate the balance of peace can be.
The devastation and carnage, the tragic loss of life and appalling injuries that were brought about by these bombings,
brings home to us the impact of war and terrorism that is simmering throughout many parts of the world.
Peace is not there as a right, it must be worked for by our people and our world leaders.
At this time, let us remember and pay tribute to those who, some 60 years ago, paid the supreme sacrifice and
today it is appropriate that we remember the words of :
John chapter 15 verse 13 – that greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Allan Pritchard- 10th July 2005
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