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The Free Wales Army (Welsh: Byddin Rhyddid Cymru) was a paramilitary Welsh nationalist organisation, formed out of Lampeter, West Wales by William Julian Cayo-Evans in 1963 as a replacement for the then supposedly moribund Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru. Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ...
A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organised in a military fashion. ...
Welsh nationalism is the Welsh expression of nationalism, a movement that became popular in nineteenth-century Europe and gradually became a global phenomenon in the twentieth century. ...
Lampeter (Welsh: Llanbedr Pont Steffan) is a town in Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom, lying on the River Teifi, which meets the Irish Sea at Cardigan. ...
West Wales is the west area of Wales bordered by South Wales to the east. ...
For an explanation of often confusing terms such as Great Britain, Britain, United Kingdom, England and Wales and England, see British Isles (terminology). ...
// Background Born, 22nd April, 1937 at Glandenys, Silian, near Lampeter. ...
1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...
Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru (Welsh Defence Movement), abbreviated as MAC was a Welsh republican movement, modelled to some degree on the Irish Republican Army, which was responsible for a number of bombing incidents between 1963 and 1969. ...
The Byddin consisted of a number of commanding units leading a structure of ranks and volunteers. These commanding units were often isolated and worked within the tight precepts of army directives. Activities were largely limited to training in the Welsh countryside armed with surplus IRA equipment and small–scale operations. Although the media treated this surreptitious movement with some ridicule, the authorities took them seriously enough to bring court action against the leading figures in 1969 resulting in lengthy prison sentences. Image File history File links Gb-w-eag. ...
Image File history File links Gb-w-eag. ...
Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the Irish Republican Army in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and opponents of the Treaty. ...
1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...
Their objective was to establish an independent Welsh republic which had the sole allegiance of all her citizens. Its White Eagle of Eryri symbol became a familiar sight painted on walls and bridges throughout Wales. In a broad definition a republic is a state or country that is led by people who do not base their political power on any principle beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ...
The word citizen may refer to: A person with a citizenship Citizen Watch Co. ...
The exact numbers of membership is unknown. Conservative estimates of active membership are between 20-50+, whilst the FWA claimed a membership closer to 2000 with many more sympathisers. In August 1968, only 200 volunteers attended the Abergewsyn training camp, indicating that the actual membership was probably between the two figures. 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ...
The Army's motto was "Fe godwn ni eto", Welsh for "We shall rise again". Its crest was Eryr Wen, a white eagle mounted on dark green shield, commonly seen in shorthand. Also incorporated in the national flag on the top left hand corner. Welsh redirects here, and this article describes the Welsh language. ...
Uniform
All volunteers wore a bottle-green peaked cap or beret with eagle crest. A bottle-green combat jacket, civilian trousers, neck scarf, combat boots, and bottle-green webbing belt rounded out the uniform for Privates and NCOs and black or leather webbing belt with peaked officers' cap for officers. combination cap rogatywka Categories: Disambiguation ...
Black beret with military emblem A beret (pronounced in British English and in American English) is a soft round cap with a flat crown which is worn by both men and women. ...
Genera Eagles are large birds of prey, who inhabit mainly the Old World, with only two species (Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle) in North America, a few in South America and three (White-bellied Sea Eagle, Little Eagle and Wedge-tailed Eagle) in Australia. ...
Private Parts, a 1997 movie about Howard Stern. ...
A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or noncom, is a non-commissioned member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ...
The color of the beret and neck scarf varied depending on the unit of the soldier's attachment.
General service dress uniform consisted of a dark green blazer with eagle crest.
Decorations and Awards These decorations were rarely issued and often crude in appearance. Only ribbons were worn on field uniforms. Medals were worn in order of importance, with the most important on the left.[citation needed] - Order of St.David Awarded for outstanding furtherance of the freedom movement and recognising outstanding achievements. Ribbon: Black and yellow. Medallion: Gold cross
- Cross Of Llewellyn Awarded for leadership in addition to bravery. Ribbon: Two vertical red and green bars. Medallion: Silver Celtic cross embossed with eagle.
- Cross Of Glyndwr Gallantry in the face of the enemy, and individual acts of courage. Ribbon: Violet. Medallion: Bronze Celtic cross with dragon rampant.
- Merit Of Incarceration In recognition of six or more months incarcerated. Ribbon: Vertical black and white bars with single thin red bar. Medallion: Three bar grid.
- Assault Dagger Participant in at least three separate assaults. Brass hilt ceremonial dagger.
- Blood Medal For serious wounds or loss of life, in the name of freedom. Ribbon: Black with single thin vertical red bar. ?
- Distinguished Service. Service for specified periods of time. Ribbon: Blue (4 years), Blue with silver trim (12 years), Blue with gold trim (20 or more years)
Saint David (c. ...
Llewellyn is the usual English spelling of the Welsh name Llywelyn. ...
Seal of Owain Glyndŵr The Banner of the Arms of Owain Glyndŵr showing his parentage Owain Glyndŵr, sometimes anglicised as Owen Glendower (1359–c. ...
Structure The smallest unit of the army was the section, comprised of six volunteers. This was the basis of army organisation in any area. The section volunteers lived in close proximity, and were available for service at short notice. At this level the section commander (highest ranking officer) worked closely with the company adjutant and other members of the team.
Four sections formed one district platoon. Four platoons formed one area company.
Ranks - Gwirfoddolwr - Volunteer.
- Gwir.saf 1af - Volunteer 1st class: Snowdon Lilly on right sleeve.
- Corfforol - Corporal (NCO): One burgundy strip on dark green epaulette slides.
- Sersiant - Sergeant (NCO): Two burgundy strips on dark green epaulette slides.
- Ailisgapten - 2nd Lieutenant: One burgundy Eagle head on dark green epaulette slides, and burgundy flash behind cap badge.
- Isgapten - Lieutenant: Two burgundy Eagle Heads on dark green epaulette slides and burgundy flash behind cap badge.
- Capten - Captain: Three burgundy Eagle heads in triangle on dark green epaulette slides and burgundy flash behind cap badge.
- Uchgapten - Major: Two burgundy strips one burgundy Eagle head on dark green epaulette slides and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge.
- Cadlywydd - Commandant: Two burgundy strips, two Eagle heads on dark green epaulette slides, and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge.
- Cadlwydd Cadfridog - Commandant General: Two burgundy strip, three Eagle heads on dark green epaulette slides,and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge.
Notable events - Feb 1963 FWA is formed.
- Oct 1965 confronts Lord Mayor of Liverpool at the opening of Tryweryn reservoir.
- Sep 1967 Commandant D Cosslett's intervention secures the release of disaster funds to bereaved families of Aberfan disaster.
- Oct 1967 FWA column appeared on David Frost's show.
- Jun 1969 Final preparation to storm Caernarfon Castle to stop investiture of Charles Windsor.
- Jul 1969 CID operation "Cricket" comes to fruition with the arrest of the FWA leadership.
- Apr 1999 Death of Commandant E Cayo-Evans.
- Jun 2004 Death of Commadant D Cosslett.
1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...
1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ...
Llyn Celyn is a large reservoir constructed in 1961 in the valley of the River Tryweryn in North Wales. ...
1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...
Frost interviewing Donald Rumsfeld in 2005 Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE (born April 17, 1939) is a British television presenter. ...
1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...
The ward of Caernarfon Castle, showing (from left to right) the Black Tower, the Chamberlains Tower, and the Eagle Tower. ...
Investiture, from the Latin (preposition in and verb vestire, dress from vestis robe) is a rather general term for the formal installation of an incumbent (heir, elect of nominee) in public office, especially by taking possession of its insignia. ...
Prince Charles may refer to: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, current heir-apparent to the British throne Any of the previous British royals named Charles, Prince of Wales The former Belgian regent, Prince Charles of Belgium This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might...
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is the branch of all British Police forces to which plain clothes detectives belong. ...
1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...
2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Notable members - Commandant William Julian Cayo-Evans (Founder)
- Commandant D Coslett
- V Davies
- K Griffiths AKA G Ap Iestyn
- E H Wilkinson
- R Jones
- V Griffiths
- D B Thomas
- G Rowlands
- B Isaacs
- S M Fourty-Seven
- A H Lewis
- V G Davies
- W V Griffiths
- J C Evans
- W Jones
- D Williams
// Background Born, 22nd April, 1937 at Glandenys, Silian, near Lampeter. ...
References - Clews, Roy. To dream of freedom. ISBN 0-86243-586-2.
- Coslett, Dennis. Rebel Heart.
- O'Callaghan, Sean. The Informer. ISBN 0-552-14607-2.
- Coslett, Dennis. Patriots and Scoundrals. ISBN 0-86243-718-0.
Sources Testimony given by past members. Further evidence compiled for historic purposes from archives, photos, press and other literature in the public domain.
See also Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru (Welsh Defence Movement), abbreviated as MAC was a Welsh republican movement, modelled to some degree on the Irish Republican Army, which was responsible for a number of bombing incidents between 1963 and 1969. ...
Meibion Glyndŵr (Welsh: Sons of Glyndŵr) was a Welsh nationalist movement violently opposed to the loss of Welsh culture and language. ...
External links - Obituary of AH Lewis
- BBC catalogue entry for programme about Tryweryn floodings
- BBC story
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