The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Harry Bickerdike Furness appears on both the Ystalyfera War Memorial and on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial.

Harry Bickerdike Furness served with the Welsh Regiment and was killed in action in France in 1916.

The information on Harry Bickerdike Furness has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 19th August 1916 :-

Pte. Weston, son of Mrs. Weston, residing near Beulah wrote, that the last he had heard of Pte. Harry Furness the stepbrother of Charlock Givens was that he had been wounded in the leg. No news has since been received of this young man. We also sympathise with Mrs. Givens, more especially as her husband is "doing his bit" as well in France.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 30th September 1916 :-

It is now certain that Private Harry Furness Cwmphill Lower Cwmtwrch and who took part on the Somme with the Swansea Battalion, was killed in the early part of the fighting. The intimations to his parents have been very conflicting – first that he was wounded, again that he was killed. It is now known that he was killed in a charge. His step brother Private Cherlock Givens is a prisoner of war in Germany and pitiful letters come often from him asking for food and it can easily be seen that Private Givens, like our other soldiers is shamefully treated.

Private Harry Bickerdike Furniss was one of 14 men of Cwmtwrch remembered at a memorial service held in February 1919. The write-up in the Llais described his service thus:-

Private Harry Bickerdike Furniss 14th Welsh (Swansea Battalion) Enlisted November 17th 1914. Fell in action on the Somme, July 11th 1916